Nijo Castle

京都府

World Heritage castle built by Ieyasu — the stage where Yoshinobu announced the Meiji Restoration

Founded

1603

Type

Castle

Visited

Want to go

Access

Right at Subway Nijojo-mae Station

541 Nijojo-cho, Nijo-dori Horikawa-nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

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Info

Castle

Founded 1603

423 years

Overview

A UNESCO World Heritage castle built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603. The Ninomaru Palace — a National Treasure symbolizing the authority of the Tokugawa Shogunate — features \'nightingale\' squeaking floors and magnificent sliding door paintings by Kano Tanyu and his school. Also the historic site where the restoration of imperial rule (Taisei Hokan) was proclaimed, it served as the Tokugawa shoguns\'…

Origins

Built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu as a Kyoto residence and guard for the Imperial Palace. Site of the 1611 Ieyasu-Hideyori meeting. Renovated by the 3rd Shogun Iemitsu for Emperor Go-Mizunoo's 1626 visit. In 1867, the 15th Shogun Yoshinobu declared the Taisei Hokan (return of power to the Emperor) in…

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記
Related Articles
— 7

記

Nijo Castle and Tokugawa Rule in Kyoto: Walking the Stage of the Restoration

Nijo Castle, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603, stood as the symbol of Edo shogunate authority in Kyoto. This article traces the 265-year arc of Tokugawa rule from its beginning to the 1867 restoration, across five historic sites in Kyoto.

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記

The Mystery of the Honnoji Incident — Why Did Mitsuhide Betray Nobunaga?

On 2 June 1582, Akechi Mitsuhide stormed Honnoji temple in Kyoto and drove his lord Oda Nobunaga to suicide. This article explores the enduring mystery of the Honnoji Incident and its various theories.

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記

Life of Yodo-dono (Chacha): From Odani Castle to Osaka Castle

Yodo-dono (Chacha) embodied the tragedy of the Sengoku era. Born at Odani Castle to Azai Nagamasa and Oda Oichi, she survived the destruction of her father by Nobunaga, her mother's death at Shizugatake, and rose to become Toyotomi Hideyoshi's beloved concubine — only to perish with her son Hideyori at the Siege of Osaka in 1615.

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もっと詳しく · 4

史
Related Historical Events
— 1

1867

Return of Political Power to the Emperor

On October 14, 1867, the 15th shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu returned political authority to the imperial court at Nijō Castle in Kyoto. Yoshinobu hoped to retain influence in the new order, but the December Restoration Edict stripped him of political standing. The peaceful return of power — influenced by petitions from Tosa domain figures including Sakamoto Ryōma — was followed by armed conflict at Toba-Fushimi in 1868, which completed the Meiji Restoration by force.

人
Related Figures
— 3

Tokugawa Yoshinobu

Last Shogun

›

On October 14, 1867, the last shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu assembled senior retainers of 40 domains in the Ninomaru Great Hall and declared the return of political authority to the Emperor. Imperial approval came the next day, ending 265 years of Tokugawa rule. Nijo Castle stands as the physical site where Japan's feudal era concluded and its modern era began.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Taiko, Ruler of All

Age 66 at founding (posthumous)

›

Before the current castle was built, Hideyoshi had constructed the 'Nijo-tei' nearby as a symbol of his regency power, hosting Emperor Go-Yozei's imperial visit. The current castle, built by Ieyasu in response to Hideyoshi's legacy, symbolizes the power transition from Toyotomi to Tokugawa.

Oda Nobunaga

Revolutionary of Tenka Fubu

Age 69 at founding (posthumous)

›

In 1573, Nobunaga expelled Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki from Kyoto, but he had earlier built 'Nijo Castle' (the old Nijo Castle) for Yoshiaki. This earlier castle was Nobunaga's base of control in Kyoto and stood at a different location from the current castle.

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あ

あきとし

2026/5/14

ナイトモード！

あ

あきとし

2026/5/1

昔住んでいた家の近く。ドラクエウォークにハマっていた際に、中でしか取れないモンスターがいて課金して訪問。天守閣こそなかったが、立派で荘厳でした。

Visiting Information

Hours

Entry admitted 8:45 AM–4:00 PM (grounds close at 5:00 PM). Closed December 29–31 (Ninomaru and Honmaru Palaces have additional closure days).

Admission

Castle admission: general ¥800, junior/senior high students ¥400, elementary students ¥300. Admission + Ninomaru Palace: general ¥1,300. Honmaru Palace (separate admission required): general ¥1,000.

As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.

Official Links

Official Site

nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp