Nijō Castle

Nijō Castle is a flatland castle in Kyoto, Japan, built beginning in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is an important example of early Edo-period castle architecture and political symbolism.

The site features the ornate Ninomaru Palace, a sequence of decorated rooms and corridors famous for painted sliding doors and the timber “nightingale floors” that squeak when walked on. Extensive defensive walls, moats and formal gardens surround the palace complex, offering visitors both architectural and landscape features to explore.

Commissioned by Tokugawa Ieyasu shortly after he established the shogunate, the castle served as a symbol of shogunal power in Kyoto. In 1867 Tokugawa Yoshinobu returned political power to the Emperor at Nijō Castle, a key event in the end of shogunal rule; the site was later preserved and restored and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nijō Castle sits in central Kyoto, a short distance west of the Kyoto Imperial Palace and within the city’s historical core, making it easily reachable from major tourist areas.

• Founding and status: Built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."
• Nightingale floors: The palace is famous for its "nightingale floors," wooden floors fitted to make chirping sounds as a security measure against intruders.

What to See #

• Ninomaru Palace: A connected series of fortified wooden palace buildings constructed in the early 17th century with interior corridors, sliding doors and so-called "nightingale floors" that chirp underfoot.
• Ninomaru Garden: A large landscaped garden in front of the palace featuring ponds, stone lanterns and designed viewing axes dating from the Edo period.