following the shogun

Ieyasu Travel Guide Detailed

Nijo-jo Castle: Honmaru Area #2

From the Main Keep Ruins, experience the world from the perspective of Japan’s supreme ruler. At the West Koguchi and West Bridge, discover the ingenuity behind their defensive design and ceremonial grandeur. Journey through Nijo Castle’s lesser-known wonders—where the legacies of the Tokugawa shoguns and the Emperor converge.
Ieyasu Travel Guide Detailed

Nijo-jo Castle: Ninomaru Palace Area

Admire the vividly colored carvings of the Karamon gate, the Ninomaru Palace where the shogun conducted government and ceremony, and the celebrated Ninomaru Garden shaped by Daoist Horai ideals. Immerse yourself in Nijo Castle’s grandeur and beauty.
Ieyasu Travel Guide Detailed

Nijo-jo Castle: Exterior Grounds and Gate Area

A complete guide to Nijo Castle’s Higashi-Otemon (East Main Gate), the Guardhouse (Bansho), Southeast Corner Turret, Tsukiji earthen-plastered walls, and the South Gate. Discover rich historical context, architectural highlights, and the best photo spots throughout the grounds!
Ieyasu Travel Guide Detailed

Nijo-jo Castle: Honmaru Area #1

Savor the structural elegance and ceremonial spaces of ā€œHigashi-bashi,ā€ a symbol of Nijo Castle’s defenses and prestige, and the only surviving Honmaru-era structure, the ā€œHonmaru Yaguramonā€ā€”brought to life with photos and rich historical context.
Taiga Drama

Taiga Drama: Gunshi Kanbee — Part III

In the final arc of NHK’s Taiga drama Gunshi Kanbee (starring Junichi Okada), the strategist faces the death of Nobunaga, Hideyoshi’s descent into isolation, and the father-son divide at Sekigahara. This emotional review explores how Kanbee illuminated an era with unshakable sincerity and tactical brilliance.
Taiga Drama

Taiga Drama: Gunshi Kanbee — Part II

In Part II of NHK's Taiga drama Gunshi Kanbee (starring Junichi Okada), Kanbee endures betrayal by his lord and a year in a dark dungeon—emerging as a true strategist. This in-depth review explores Murashige's rebellion, Dashi’s quiet kindness, and the birth of a leader forged in the shadows.
Taiga Drama

Taiga Drama: Gunshi Kanbee — Part I

Dive into Part I of NHK’s epic Taiga drama Gunshi Kanbee (starring Junichi Okada), exploring the young strategist’s unwavering ideals, his fateful meetings with Hideyoshi and Hanbee, the strength of family ties, and the early signs of betrayal. A moving portrait of Kanbee’s formative years in Himeji.
Taiga Drama

Watching the Taiga Drama “Gunshi Kanbee”

Explore the life of Kuroda Kanbee, Japan’s legendary strategist, through NHK's Taiga drama Gunshi Kanbee starring Junichi Okada. In three powerful chapters—Ideals, Betrayal, and Sincerity—this blog unpacks his extraordinary humanity in the chaos of the Sengoku era. A must-read for history drama fans, whether you’ve seen the series or not.
Ieyasu Travel Journal

August 2025: Nikko Toshogu Shrine – Special Prayer Tour in the Shogun’s Seated Chamber | Travel Diary

Join our 2025 travel diary at Nikko Toshogu Shrine—featuring the Shogun’s Chamber prayer, Yomeimon Gate, the Sleeping Cat, and hidden paths rarely seen.
Hideyoshi Travel Journal

Special Report: Exclusive Access to Himeji Castle’s Hishi-no-Mon Gate

Step inside Himeji Castle’s Hishi-no-Mon Gate—rarely open to the public. Discover its rich history, interior views, and samurai secrets during this 2025 special event.