Strolling in Nijo-jo Castle

Nijo-jo Castle (10 September 2020)

Nijo-jo castle located not far from the Imperial Palace, which was built as the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns in Kyoto to guard the Imperial palace namely but actually to show the power of the shogun and for vigilance to Emperor. It was eyewitness of 260-year history of the Tokugawa shogunate from the announcement of appointment of first Shogun Ieyasu to the the declaration of last shogun Yoshinobu, returning the authority to the Imperial Court.

We can enter it through Higashi Ote-mon gate (east gate), typical massive gate may not be harmonized with surrounding elegant atmosphere.

東大手門 Higashi Ote-mon gate (east gate) — . The gate was altered for the visit of the Gomizuo Emperor to one-storey avoiding look-down.

The Karamon Gate, relocated from Fushimi Castle originally set up, it has typical decoration of Momoyama era magnificent and brilliant carvings of auspicious symbols.

唐門 Karamon Gate — Brilliant carvings of auspicious symbols, like pine, bamboo, Japanese apricot blossom, crane and turtle, symbolizing longevity and guardian animal like lion and dragon.

Ninomaru-goten palace, connected buildings, is archetypical of the shoin-zukuri style, visitors can admire wall paintings, carved transoms and exquisite metalworks of 33 rooms walking through “nightingale corridors”. As it is prohibited to take photos, please find form here if you want to see inside. https://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/introduction/highlights/ninomaru/?lang=en

Ninomaru garden was built according to the Shinsenhorai ideology forming paradise, which is designed to be enjoyed from Shogun seat in some rooms in the palace.

大広間外観 Outside view of Oohiroma — Outside view of Oohiroma, attached temporal ventilation system looks so bad.

The base of the keep tower, on this place a five-storey with 6 floors tower used to stand however was struck by lightning and burned down and never rebuilt.