Nijo Castle, Kyoto

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
This Monday, Emma and I went to Kyoto for the day. Our first stop was Nijo Castle(Nijojo) – somewhere we hadn’t visited since late 2008.

Nijojo was donated to the people of Kyoto in 1939 and has been a public attraction since 1940. Monday’s weather was perfect for a walk around the grounds, so here are a few shots I took.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
These two Tsurigane bells were originally used to warn of impending attacks.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
The Ninomaru(outer bailey) Garden, designed by tea master Kobori Enshu.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
The Honmaru(inner bailey) Palace, the design is late-Edo period.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
A huge stone lantern in the Honmaru garden.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
The Honmaru Palace from the southwest wall of the inner bailey. Originally a Donjon(castle tower or keep) stood at this location, but it was struck by lightning and destroyed in 1750.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
Looking down at the plum-tree grove from the inner bailey wall.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
An array of different trees in the Honmaru garden.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
The Honmaru Palace peeking through the trees. Unlike the Ninomaru, this palace isn’t open to the public.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
The inner walls and moat.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto
The SeiryĆ«-en garden, a beautiful Japanese garden with two tea rooms, located in the north of the grounds. It was built in 1965, making it the newest addition to the castle. Tea and a wagashi sweet will set you back 700yen but I bet it’s worth it.

The grounds of Nijo Castle are lovely and peaceful, I’d definitely reccomend a visit. Entry is 600yen and it’s a short walk from Nijojo-mae Subway station on the Tozai line.

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