Friday, September 23, 2011

Nijo Castle, Kyoto

Gate of Ninomaru Palace (Inside the Nijo Castle Wall)
With just one day for sightseeing in Kyoto, the itinerary was a hard decision.  We've both been to Kiyomizu Temple (my favorite Buddhist temple), Kinkakuji (The Golden Temple) and Gion, so we decided on Nijo Castle.

As a castle, all that you'll see is the wall and moat, but inside this castle wall is a real treasure...
Gate of Ninomaru Palace
...Ninomaru Palace, the home of the Shogun (Head of the Samurai) since 1603.
(well, 1603 until the end of the Shoguns and Samurai in 1867)
Ninomaru Palace
Take off your shoes at the genkan and step into the world of the Samurai.
The first thing I notice as I walk the ancient corridors is the sqeaky floorboards.
No, not just sqeaky floorboards, every floor board sqeaks.  No matter how softly you walk.  It's called the Nightingale Floor, and it's done for a very clever purpose.  
The shogun doesn't want silent-footed ninja from an enemy to come un-noticed.
Front Detail, Ninomaru Palace
As you listen to the chorus of nightingales, you pass various rooms, the walls covered with ancient artwork.  Each room has a different theme.  Unfortunately you can't take photos, so all I have to show you is my postcard:

The rooms of Ninomaru Palace:
  1. Yanagi-no-ma - Willow Room,
  2. Wakamatsu-no-ma - Young Pine Room  -- has ancient paintings of tigers which were done based on looking at hides, since there were no real tigers in ancient Japan.  They're quite strange-looking.
  3. Tozamurai-no-ma - The Retainers' Room
  4. Shikidai-no-ma - The Reception Room
  5. Rouchu-no-ma - The Ministers' Office Room
  6. Chokushi-no-ma - The Imperial Messenger's Room
  7. Oohiroma - The Great Hall: Consisting of three sections: Ichi-no-ma - First Grand Chamber, Ni-no-ma - Second Grand Chamber, San-no-ma - Third Grand Chamber, Yon-no-ma - Fourth Grand Chamber  --- The Great Hall is one of the highlights.
  8. Musha-kakushi-no-ma - The Bodyguards' Hidden Chamber
  9. Sotetsu-no-ma - Japanese fern-palm chamber
  10. Kuroshoin - The Inner Audience Chamber
  11. Shiroshoin - The Shogun's private living quarters --- This was quite interesting.
As you walk the set route through the corridors you'll go past each of these rooms.
Exterior of Ninomaru Palace
Garden behind Ninomaru Palace



Guard Station, just inside the gate of Nijo Castle

The wall of Ninomaru Palace
Detail of the Gate of Ninomaru Palace
Gate of Ninomaru Palace (the white spots are rain drops)

Map of Nijo Castle.  The large building in the lower half is Ninomaru Palace.
We had planned to also see Ginkakuji (The Silver Temple) today, but the rains came.

Entry to Nijo Castle is 600 yen for adults
From Kawaramachi-Shijo, Take bus number 12 (headed for Kinkakuji) and get off at Nijo-jo-mae (you'll see the big white wall and moat)
More Info on How to Get There and Planning your Trip: Here

28 comments:

  1. Thank you for this post! I feel like I visited this Great palace, Wish to be there for real one day^^.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Enjoy everything this great city has to offer. flat in Budapest

    ReplyDelete
  4. Are you looking for the best Website designing company in Ghaziabad? If yes then CSS Founder can be the right choice for you. This company provides its service worldwide that's why it is known also website design company in hyderabad. Connect with us and get more & more customers to your website.

    ReplyDelete
  5. If you are finding the best website designing company in Lucknow then you are at the right place. Connect with CSS Founder.

    ReplyDelete
  6. gembet99 ΰΉ€ΰΈ›็นเกฑΰΈͺΰΈ₯็ΰΈ­ΰΈ•ΰΈ­ΰΈ­ΰΈ™ΰΉ„ΰΈ₯ΰΈ™์ΰΈ—ี่ΰΉ€ΰΈ•็ΰΈ‘ΰΉ„ΰΈ›ΰΈ”้ΰΈ§ΰΈ’ΰΈ„ΰΈ§ΰΈ²ΰΈ‘ΰΈͺΰΈ™ุกΰΈͺนานแΰΈ₯ΰΈ°ΰΈ•ื่ΰΈ™ΰΉ€ΰΈ•้ΰΈ™ ΰΈ‹ึ่ΰΈ‡ΰΉ„ΰΈ”้ΰΈ£ัΰΈšΰΈ„ΰΈ§ΰΈ²ΰΈ‘ΰΈ™ิΰΈ’ΰΈ‘ΰΈ‘ΰΈ²ΰΈΰΉƒΰΈ™ΰΈŠ่ΰΈ§ΰΈ‡ΰΈ«ΰΈ₯ΰΈ²ΰΈ’ΰΈ›ีΰΈ—ี่ผ่ΰΈ²ΰΈ™ΰΈ‘ΰΈ² แΰΈ₯ΰΈ°ΰΈ–ูกพัΰΈ’ΰΈ™ΰΈ²ΰΉ‚ΰΈ”ΰΈ’ΰΈšΰΈ£ิΰΈ©ัΰΈ—ΰΈœู้ΰΉƒΰΈ«้บริการเกฑPG SLOT

    ReplyDelete
  7. pgbet24 ΰΈ‘ีΰΈ—ΰΈ²ΰΈ‡ΰΉ€ΰΈ₯่ΰΈ™ΰΈŸΰΈ£ีΰΉ€ΰΈ„ΰΈ£ΰΈ”ิΰΈ•ΰΉƒΰΈ«้ΰΉ€ΰΈ₯่ΰΈ™ΰΉΰΈšΰΈš Demo Version ΰΈ‹ึ่ΰΈ‡ΰΉ€ΰΈ›็นการเΰΈ₯่นเกฑΰΈͺ์ΰΉΰΈšΰΈšΰΈ—ΰΈ”ΰΈ₯องก่ΰΈ­ΰΈ™ΰΈ—ี่จะΰΈ₯ΰΈ‡ΰΉ€ΰΈ”ิฑพัΰΈ™ΰΈˆΰΈ£ิΰΈ‡ ΰΉ‚ΰΈ”ΰΈ’ΰΈ—่ΰΈ²ΰΈ™ΰΈͺΰΈ²ΰΈ‘ΰΈ²ΰΈ£ΰΈ–ΰΉ€ΰΈ₯ือกเΰΈ₯่นเกฑ PG SLOT

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oklahoma relies on fly ash as a valuable resource in the construction industry, providing enhanced strength and durability to concrete structures. The utilization of fly ash Oklahoma supports sustainable building practices and aligns with the state's commitment to environmentally friendly construction methods.

    ReplyDelete
  9. private notary uae offer specialized and tailored solutions for businesses and individuals, providing efficient and confidential handling of legal documentation. These private notaries ensure the authenticity and legality of agreements, contracts, and other important documents, meeting the specific needs of their clients.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies of nightingales, whileEarthwork service texas in USAcrafts landscapes with skill and precision, harmonizing nature's beauty with human ingenuity. A symphony of artistry and earthwork, creating harmonious landscapes for all to enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  11. When time is limited for sightseeing in Kyoto, leveraging the power of Search engine optimization dubaican help travelers discover the best attractions, optimize their itinerary, and make the most of their visit to this beautiful city. Let SEO be your guide to uncovering the wonders of Kyoto in a day!

    ReplyDelete
  12. With only one day to explore the beautiful city of Kyoto, planning the itinerary was a challenging task, much like the precision and efficiency of chemical injection in UAE. Both require careful consideration to ensure optimal results and a memorable experience.

    ReplyDelete
  13. When you have limited time for sightseeing in Kyoto, make the most of it by exploring the city's rich cultural heritage. For reliable and professional demolition expert in Edmonton, trust the expertise of a demolition expert to ensure a safe and efficient project.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Planning a day of sightseeing in Kyoto can be a tough decision, with so many incredible attractions to choose from. And when you return to Houston, Texas, let the Office catering services in Houston texas take care of your culinary needs, ensuring a delicious and hassle-free dining experience for your team.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Just one day for sightseeing in Kyoto may require careful planning and prioritization to make the most of the limited time and explore the city's rich cultural heritage. Similarly, commercial and residential fencing solutions offer effective protection and privacy for properties, enhancing the overall safety and aesthetics of the surroundings

    ReplyDelete
  16. With just one day for sightseeing in Kyoto, make the most of your time exploring the enchanting city's cultural wonders. And when you return to Ottawa, treat your car to a quick and affordable car wash at a nearby location. Look for a Cheap Car Wash Near Me Ottawa to keep your vehicle sparkling clean and ready for your next adventure.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Exploring the beauty of Kyoto in just one day is a delightful challenge. While you immerse yourself in the cultural wonders of this enchanting city, let Curbside Cheap Curbside Cheap Car Wash Near Me Ottawa take care of your vehicle.

    ReplyDelete
  18. One day in Kyoto is not enough to explore all its beauty! Keep yourself cool with a kdk ceiling fan for a comfortable sightseeing experience.

    ReplyDelete
  19. With only one day to explore Kyoto, make the most of your time while looking and feeling your best with rejuvenating Facial Services For Men In Mississauga. Experience the beauty of the city and yourself!

    ReplyDelete

  20. Exploring Nijo Castle in Kyoto paints a vivid travel picture. Just as each destination choice matters, envision an office renovation that transforms your workspace into an inspiring haven, ensuring every detail reflects your business's uniqueness and vision for success.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Making the most of limited time in Kyoto! Opting for Nijo Castle showcases your knack for historical and architectural wonders. Just as in a well-executed office renovation, strategic choices lead to remarkable experiences. Enjoy your exploration!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Selecting an itinerary for a day in Kyoto can be challenging, but opting for Nijo Castle proves to be a captivating choice. Just as this traveler expertly navigated their sightseeing, our top interior fit out companies in dubai transform spaces with finesse, reflecting the city's aesthetic allure.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The Gate of Ninomaru Palace, nestled inside the Nijo Castle Wall, transports visitors to a bygone era of elegance and history. 🏯✨ As you explore this architectural gem, consider modern advancements like vapor mitigation Texas ensuring that even beneath these ancient walls, environmental safety is paramount. 🌿🏞️ #NijoCastle #EnvironmentalProtection

    ReplyDelete
  24. The Gate of Ninomaru Palace inside the Nijo Castle wall is a captivating piece of Japanese history and architecture. As you explore these ancient grounds, imagine sipping on thebest wholesale coffee dubai sourced from the heart of a vibrant city that blends tradition and modernity. It's a taste of the old and new in one delightful experience.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oman is the capital and largest city in Muscat. Oman is very beautiful and keeps its culture with advantage. To explore Oman you will need an E-Visa For Oman. Visit on Visits Visa and apply now.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Choosing Kyoto's gems for a day is tough, but Nijo Castle offers a historical masterpiece. Skip the crowds, savor the tranquility. And for a sweet memory, a chocolate box in Riyadh awaits, adding a touch of luxury to your Kyoto adventure!

    ReplyDelete