Nijo Castle (Rikyu Nijo-jo)

Overview

Nijo Castle was built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu as a residence for the shogun during his visits to Kyoto and to protect the Kyoto Imperial Palace. During the reign of the third shogun, Iemitsu, the castle underwent significant renovations in preparation for Emperor Gomizuno-o's visit. The Ninomaru Palace was adorned with numerous screen paintings by Kano Tanyu, solidifying the Edo shogunate's dominance by welcoming the emperor to the magnificent castle. In 1867, the 15th shogun, Yoshinobu, declared his intention to return power to the emperor ('Taisei Hokan') in the Ninomaru Palace. Even after approximately 400 years, visitors can still witness the splendid remnants of Momoyama culture in the Ninomaru Palace, Ninomaru Garden, and Karamon Gate. The Honmaru Palace completed its major repairs at the end of March 2024 and has reopened to the public for the first time in 18 years. To protect the original paintings, rooms in the O-Goten are opened at different times. In 1994, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nijo Castle stands as a valuable historical asset, bearing witness to the rise and fall of the Tokugawa family and the long history of Japan.