Nijojo Castle

“Floorboards squeak like birds — the shogun's 400-year-old alarm.”

Art & ArchitectureBeautiful SceneryHistoryUnesco World Heritage
Nijojo Castle
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Nijojo Castle (or the Nijo Castle) was the residence of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in Kyoto during the Tokugawa period (1600-1867) and remains as an impressive historical complex, most of which is open to visitors today. It has also been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An especially interesting feature of the palace is its nightingale floor which produces sounds when someone steps on it. Historically, it functioned as an alarm system. In addition to its historical interest, Nijojo Castle is also a great spot for viewing plum blossoms (early spring) and cherry blossoms (mid spring). You can also enjoy Japanese green tea on the premises.

Photograph provided by Imperial Villa Nijo-jo Castle Office, Kyoto City

Spot NameNijojo Castle
Postal Code〒604-8301
Address541 Nijo-jo-jo-cho, Horikawa-nishi-iru, Nijo-jo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Telephone Number075-841-0096
Official URLhttp://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/?lang=en
KeywordsArt & Architecture, Beautiful Scenery, History, Unesco World Heritage

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Frequently asked questions

What is Nijojo Castle?
Floorboards squeak like birds — the shogun's 400-year-old alarm.
Where is Nijojo Castle?
Nijojo Castle is located at 541 Nijo-jo-jo-cho, Horikawa-nishi-iru, Nijo-jo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto.
Can I visit Nijojo Castle with a local guide?
Yes. WOW U lists activities around Nijojo Castle hosted by Locals, the local guides who live in the area.
What is WOW U?
WOW U is a booking platform that connects travellers directly with local guides in Japan, called Locals. You book, message your Locals host and pay on WOW U, and every experience can be reviewed afterwards. More than 6,100 Locals are registered on WOW U. Reviews left by travellers average 4.7 out of 5.