Nijo Castle was built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu to guard the Kyoto Imperial Palace and provide lodging for shoguns traveling to Kyoto. 1611 saw Toyotomi Hideyori and Tokugawa Ieyasu meeting at Nijo Castle, and the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, undertook extensive renovations for Emperor Gomizuo’s visit to the castle, including the Ninomaru Palace, which included paintings by Kano Tanyu, The Tenshukaku (main keep), which was moved from Fushimi Castle, was built in 1626.
In 1867, the 15th Shogun, Yoshinobu Tokugawa, announced the “return of the Grand Council of State” at Ninomaru Palace. This event marked the end of feudal system and the beginning of modernization in 19th century Japan.
Nearby spots from Nijo Castle
Kyoto Imperial Palace is not far. This is because the Castle was built to demonstrate the power of the Tokugawa family to the imperial court.
Shinsen-en, built in 794 as a forbidden garden, served as an imperial retreat and sacred site for religious practices.
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