Nijō Castle is classified as a flatland castle, and is located in Kyōto. During the pre-modern age, it found itself within the borders of Yamashiro Province. It is associated with the Tokugawa clan. Dates in use: 1603 - 1871.

The main tower has long since burnt down but the Ni-no-maru palace's carvings, paintings & surrounding garden have earned it World Heritage listing. The defences, while impressive looking, would never have withstood any real assault. It's role was never that of stronghold but instead as a symbol of the Tokugawa's power & authority.

The Ni-no-maru palace is without a doubt the main attraction of Nijō Castle and can be described as a work of art in itself. The walls & sliding doors are decorated by the paintings of masters & the amazing carved panels above the doors made from 35-centimeter-thick blocks of cypress.

The palace consists of five connected buildings, and the more important the guest, the more access they were afforded. The fifth building however, was reserved for the Shōgun himself & his female attendants who were, no doubt forced to endure mediocre Karaoke & lengthy games of rock-paper-scissors.

Timeline

1601	Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of Nijō Castle to be undertaken by the Daimyō of western Japan.
1603	Ieyasu visited upon the completion of the Ninomaru Palace.
1626	The main tower was erected signaling the completion of Nijō Castle . The tower was formerly the main tower of Fushimi Castle located just to the South.
1750	Several buildings, including the main tower was burnt to the ground as a result of a lightning strike.
1788	Massive city-wide fires destroyed buildings in the main enclosure.
1867	The 15th hereditary Tokugawa Shogun returned control of the nation to the Emperor.
1893	Prince Katsura's residence was transferred to the main enclosure to replace the palace that had burnt down in 1750.

Historical recognition

Ninomaru Palace	UNESCO World Heritage Listed
Ninomaru Palace Garden	UNESCO World Heritage Listed
Ninomaru Kurumayose & Toozamurai	National Treasure
Ninomaru Shikidai	National Treasure
Ninomaru Ohiroma	National Treasure
Ninomaru Sotetsunoma	National Treasure
Ninomaru Kuroshoin	National Treasure
Ninomaru Shiroshoin	National Treasure
Honmaru Yagura Gate	Important Cultural Property
Honmaru Genkan	Important Cultural Property
Honmaru Goshoin	Important Cultural Property
Honmaru Otsune Goten	Important Cultural Property
Honmaru Daidokoro	Important Cultural Property
Ninomaru Karamon Gate	Important Cultural Property
Ninomaru Tsukiji	Important Cultural Property
Ninomaru Daidokoro	Important Cultural Property
Ninomaru Okiyodikoro	Important Cultural Property
Higashi Ote Gate	Important Cultural Property
Kita Ote Gate	Important Cultural Property
Nishi Gate	Important Cultural Property
Tonan Sumi Turret	Important Cultural Property
Tonan Sumi Turret northern wall	Important Cultural Property
Seinan Sumi Turret	Important Cultural Property
Rice Storehouse	Important Cultural Property
North Rice Storehouse	Important Cultural Property
South Rice Storehouse	Important Cultural Property
Naruko Gate	Important Cultural Property
Momoyama Gate	Important Cultural Property
Kita Nakashikiri Gate	Important Cultural Property
Minami Nakashikiri Gate	Important Cultural Property