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on Kyoto, Japan. In this video will show you the Nijo castle located in Kyoto
Japan. In this video we're going to show you and tell you how to get there what
to do and offer tips from our own experience to make your visit to nijo
castle for an enjoyable experience. Nijo castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
and is located in the city of Kyoto. The most convenient way to get there of
course is by taxi We took the Kyoto subway to Nijo Castle
because the station is across the street from Nijo castle. If you're planning to
take the Kyoto subway like we did then find your way to the Tozai subway line from
your location and alight at Nijojo-mae station. If you're coming from Kyoto
station you can also take the Karasuma subway line at Kyoto station and then
alight at Karasuma-Oike Station and then transfer to the Tozai line at that
station. Once you arrive at nijo-jo mae station alight there and follow the
signs for exit one and Nijo castle
you can take the elevator or stairs up once at street level walk across the
street to Nijo castle entrance. You can also take a public bus from kyoto
station. Take kyoto city bus numbers 9, 50 or 101 which will take about 15 to 20
minutes Ask your bus driver where to alight. Nijo
castle in kyoto is generally open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. It is closed on Tuesdays
in January July August and December and on December
December 26th to January 4th. Entry fee will depend on your choices such as entrance
to the Ninomaru Castle which is highly recommended, and an audio guide
the Nijo Castle consists of three areas the Honmaru which is the main
circle of Defense. The Ninomaru the second circle of defense and the gardens
that encircle the whole grounds. Nijo castle grounds are then surrounded by
stone walls and a moat. Nijo castle is well known for its architecture. The
palace buildings are examples ofAzuchi-Momoyama period architecture. It's a
combo of Castle and Imperial Palace styles. We arrived at Nijo castle and got
in line to get our tickets. Like many attractions in Kyoto
you will need cash to purchase tickets they do not accept credit cards
we used the ticket vending machines which only take cash for individual
tickets and the ticketing counter is usually for group sales and a guided
tours. The 90-minute guided tours are available twice a day. Please be aware
that there are separate fees for the castle grounds and entrance into the palace
once we purchased our tickets we entered the castle grounds. We
entered the castle grounds through a large gate on the
east side. You can rent
english audio guides at the kiosk to the right of the gate once you enter. The
audio guides are available also in Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, French, and
Spanish. If you have luggage with you they also offer a luggage storage area
for a fee. If you walk straight from the entrance gate there will be a T. From
the T make a left or you can follow the yellow arrow sign right before the
entrance of the ninomaru castle. You'll find a small kiosk which offers a free
audio guide in English, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin with a brief summary of
Nijo castle. Just push the button for the language you want
we entered through the chinese-style Karamon gate which is the entrance to
the Ninomaru palace which is the main attraction in this castle area. The Ninomaru
Ninomaru palace consists of multiple buildings connected by corridors. The
main buildings are constructed of Japanese Cypress. When we entered the
ninomaru palace we took off our shoes and walked through the interior
unfortunately videos are not allowed inside the ninomaru castle. Inside the
ninomaru castle you'll find rooms that have to
Tatami floors and exquisitely decorated ceilings and sliding doors called Kazuma
the Ninomaru palace is also decorated with intricate wood carvings and
paintings by the Kano School. You'll also see byōbu folding screens
the corridor floors of the Ninomaru palace are called nightingale floors
they were designed to purposely squeak as a security measure against unwanted
visitors. Once we finished our tour of the ninomaru palace we continued to the
new ninomaru garden. A traditional Japanese landscape garden with a large pond
ornamental stones, and manicured pine trees. As we walked past the ninomaru
palace garden we entered the honimaru palace which is usually not open to the
public
we walked around the honimaru gardens and climbed up the stone platform of the
former castle keep where there are views of the castle grounds. The honimaru and
Ninomaru palaces are surrounded by peaceful gardens and walking paths. There
are four hundred-plus cherry trees of all varieties planted throughout the
Nijo castle grounds and in the cherry orchard the cherry trees usually blossom
at Nijo castle from late march through April which makes it a very popular spot
for visitors usually around this time. The Nijo castle grounds also has a plum
orchard and a half Japanese half western style garden used for tea ceremonies. You
can also see maple ginkgo and other trees that change colors in the fall
If you're visiting in the summer, I highly recommend insect repellent and sunscreen
near the exit of Nijo castle you'll find a restroom
Souvenir shop and a small cafe. Nijo castle and ninomaru palace is highly
recommended and worth seeing. Happy Travels! Go to hipfig.com for more
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