Kansai

the relocated stone walls of the former Nijo Castle built for shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki by Oda Nobunaga, the springtime Plum Grove and Sakura Garden, and the fortress-style South Middle Partition Gate (Minami Chu Shikirimon) and Momoyama Gate. Practical access tips, what to see, trivia, and maps included.

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.

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.

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!

Savor the structural elegance and ceremonial spaces of “Higashi-bashi,” a symbol of Nijo Castle’s defenses and prestige, and the only surviving Honmaru-era structure, the “Honmaru Yaguramon”—brought to life with photos and rich historical context.