🗺️ Nijo Castle (元離宮二條城)元離宮二条城

In 1600 (the 5th year of the Keichō era), Tokugawa Ieyasu won the Battle of Sekigahara and completed the unification of Japan. To establish a base in Kyoto, he completed the construction of Nijo Castle in 1603 (the 8th year of the Keichō era). Nijo Castle, located in the central area of Kyoto (Rakuchu), is an important cultural asset with a history of over 410 years. In 1994, it was designated as one of the "Cultural Properties of Ancient Kyoto" and listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The initial construction of Nijo Castle did not begin with the Honmaru Palace, but rather with the Ninomaru Palace. At a higher position than the Tsukidate walls, there is a "Karahafu" (Chinese-style gable), and the corridor features the "Karamon" gate, which is lavishly decorated with carvings and ornamental metal fittings, built for the visit of Emperor Go-Mizunoo in later years. The national treasure "Ninomaru Palace," located in front of the Karamon, is the only remaining structure from the early Edo period within the castle. The expansive grounds include six buildings known as Tōji, Shikidai, Ōhiroma, Sotetsu no Ma, Kuroshoin, and Shiroshoin, arranged in a line resembling a formation of geese. Among them, the Ichino-ma and Nino-ma of the Ōhiroma are famous as the place where Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of the Edo period, announced the return of power to the emperor in 1867 (the 3rd year of the Keio era). Additionally, there is a pond-and-strolling garden and the specially designated scenic spot "Ninomaru Garden," which is said to have been renovated by the master carpenter Kobori Enshū. In 1626 (the 3rd year of the Kan'ei era), the "Honmaru," created by Tokugawa Iemitsu for the visit of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, is also a must-see attraction. At that time, it featured a five-story tenshu (main keep) and five Honmaru palaces, showcasing the grandeur and appearance of a castle. However, much of it was later destroyed by lightning strikes and fire. Therefore, rather than being a castle, Nijo Castle is more accurately described as a magnificent residence of the samurai. The current Honmaru Palace was relocated from the former Katsura Imperial Villa in the late Meiji period and has been designated as an important cultural property of the nation due to its significance as a noble residence.

The luxurious 唐破風 (karahafu) and the magnificent decorated 唐門 (tōmon). The National Treasure 二之丸御殿 (Ninomaru Palace), a precious relic from the early Edo period. The 大廣間 (ōhiroma) of the Ninomaru Palace, the stage for the Taisei Hōkan. The Ninomaru Garden, reportedly created by the famous garden designer 小堀遠州 (Kobori Enshū).