NijoCastle

This castle was built by the founder of the Edo Shogun gate, Tokugawa Ieyasu around the beginning of the seventeenth century and was a symbol of power of Tokugawa Ieyasu. This magnificent building in the heart of the Kyoto city was built to celebrate the Tokugawa victory at Sekigahara and remind everyone about the power and strength that he had accumulated.

The fact which stand out about this castle is that it is relatively unfortified unlike other Japanese castles perhaps a reminder of the imperial authority. It is more of a celebration of royalty than a structure for defense.

The palace building was built in 1603 and was enlarged by Lemitsu, the grandson of the original builder. The palace is renowned for its architecture and the floors make a squeaking sound when somebody walks on them.

This is perhaps the best form of security alarm that one could have had during those days. Lemitusu also added a five story castle tower to the Nijo castle which was called the Honmaru; however this was reduced to ashes by fire in the eighteenth century.
The walls of the palace are highly decorative and the gardens are beautiful enough to compliment the beauty of the palace which itself is a highly impressive structure.

How to reach

The best way to reach the castle is by train and it takes roughly a quarter of an hour to reach the castle from the railway station of Kyoto. The city of Kyoto on the other hand is well connected to other Japanese cities by local trains and buses. It takes nearly eight hours to reach Kyoto by bus from Tokyo and nearly a couple of hours more when it comes to traveling by train. However one has to change trains few times to reach Kyoto while traveling from the capital city of Tokyo.

Places to see

Other than the imperial palace one can check out the numerous shrines and temples in the former capital city of Japan. It is worth taking time out and checking those places.

Places to stay in Kyoto

- Brighton Hotel
- Ana Hotel Nikko Princess Hotel
- Rihga Royal Hotel
- New Hankyu Hotel
- Alpha Hotel
- Kyoto Okura Hotel
- Apa Hotel
- Kyoto International Hotel
- Otsu Prince Hotel
- Tokyu Hotel
- Kyoto Takaragaike Prince Hotel
- Holiday Inn Kyoto Hotel
- Hotel Granvia
- Westin Miyako Hotel
- Takaragaike Prince Hotel
- Dai-ni Tower Hotel
- Karasuma Hotel
- Royal Hotel
- New Miyako Hotel
- Rich Hotel
- Maruko Inn Hotel
- Kyoto Tower Hotel
- Mitsui Garden Hotel
- Apa Kyoto-Gion Hotel
- Rhino Hotel
- Watazen Ryokan Hotel

Hotels in Kyoto
Hotel Kyoto Okura	Hotel Monterey
Hotel Westin Miyako	Hotel New Miyako
Hotel Kokusai	Hotel Hearton