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Monday, September 8, 2014

Nijo Castle

Back to Japan...

In Kyoto, we reserved our free bikes at the Hearton Hotel and rode to Nijo Castle, just a short ride away. The sidewalks on the major roads even have bike lanes.

Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. It has 3 areas: the Honmaru (main circle of defense), the Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense) and gardens that encircle the 2.

No reservation is required and the entry fee is Y 600.




Karamon Gate, the entrance to Ninomaru.


Ninomaru Palace, the residence and office of the shogun. It has multiple buildings that are connected by corridors with nightingale floors, which squeak when stepped upon. This served as a security against intruders.


Honmaru--main circle of defense for the castle.



Beautiful gardens are dotted throughout the castle.




2014 05 14

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