Nijo Castle is a Squeaky
ol` Japanese Castle.

Kyoto, Japan`s Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) is great if you don`t like walking up an incline or are afraid of heights, since it is a flatland castle.

Among its unique features, the castle floor plans called for Nijo`s now famous "Nightingale" floor (Uguisu Bari) in Ninomaru Palace. The floor was designed so that under the floorboards, the nails and clamps would rub against each other and squeak when walked on.

Used as a security device, they assured that if an intruder walked across the nightingale floor they would be detected.

That and for the kids coming home after curfew.

Since most Japanese Castles don`t have "squeaky" floors (at least not on purpose), many tourists visit Nijo simply for its, well, squeakiness.

It is fortified with castle moats and thick outer walls consisting of three gates.

An inner castle moat and walls with two gates surround Honmaru Palace and its castle garden.

Ninomaru Palace and its gardens are between the inner and outer walls.

Right click the above public domain image from wikipedia to open in a new window for a larger view.

However unlike most castles of the period, Nijo`s primary purpose was not that of a fortress and castle defense was probably not the first priority.

In actuality, it was a symbol of power and wealth, not only to enemies but allies as well.

Tokugawa Iemitsu, Ieyasu`s Grandson, commissioned the Kano painters (famous for their artwork in the style of Chinese landscape painting) to decorate Ninomaru Palace. Their paintings include images of tigers, leopards (thought at the time to be female tigers), peacocks, geese, and pine trees.

8:45am -5:00pm (Last entry 4:00pm)

Closed:

Tuesday (or Wednesday if Tuesday is a Public Holiday)/ Dec 26th - Jan 4th

Entry:
¥600 (general)
¥350 (Junior and Senior High School Students)
¥200 (Elementary School Students)

English factsheet available.

Leave Nijo Castle and Discover more about Japan and Japan Travel.