Tokugawa
Nijo Castle
二条城
| Founder | Tokugawa Ieyasu |
| Year | 1603 |
| Type | Flatland |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Rating | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ |
| Historical Value | Top 100 Castles, National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Historical Artifacts |
National Treasures: Ninomaru Goten Kurumayose & Toozamurai, Ninomaru Goten Shikidai, Ninomaru Goten Ohiroma, Ninomaru Goten Kuroshoin, Ninomaru Goten Shiroshoin, Ninomaru Goten Sotetsunoma Important Cultural Properties: Ninomaru Karamon, Southeast sumi yagura, Ninomaru Goten Tsukiji, Ninomaru Goten Daidokoro, Ninomaru Goten Okiyodokoro, North Otemon, West Gate, Southwest Sumi Yagura, North dozo, South dozo, Naruko Gate, Momoyama Gate, North Naka Shikirimon, South Naka Shikirimon, dozo and nagayamon gate, Southeast Sumi Yagura Northern Wall, East Otemon, Honmaru Yagura mon, Honmaru Goten Goshoin, Honmaru Goten Genkan, Honmaru Goten Daidokoro & Karinoma, Honmaru Otsune Goten |
| Location | Kyoto |
| Map | Google Map |
| Access | Kyoto Station, bus |
| Website | Kyoto City Official Nijo-jo Site |
| Visited | July 1992; March 23, 2004 |
| Notes | Nijo-jo is a must see stop for any visit to Kyoto. There are only a few traditional castle defensive structures, but it is mostly famous for the fabulous Ninomaru Palace and the Honmaru palace. The Honmaru Palace is unfortunately only opne during sleect times of the year and I've never been able to enter it. |
| History |
Nijo-jo began as a mansion built by Nobunaga in 1569. The castle Nijo-jo was erected in 1603 to be Tokugawa Ieyasu's headquarters when he was in Kyoto. The donjon was struck by lightning and burned to the ground in 1750. It was never rebuilt. Ieyasu's palace is filled with beautiful works of art and is very well preserved. The Ninomaru Palace was mainly used for administrative affairs and reflects this in the many offices and meeting rooms it contains. It is designated a National Treasure. The picture above is of the main entrance to the palace. |
Viewer Comments
(1) | Post CommentA great castle to go to. Even though the Tenshu dosen't exist anymore, it has many original buildings, particularly in the ninomaru.
March 16, 2008 at 06:02 PM