Continuing our exploration of Kyoto, we visited Nijo Castle. Built between 1601 and 1626, the castle was the residence and governing seat for the Tokugawa shōguns. The Tokugawa shogunate was the military government of Japan from 1603 to 1868, and the hereditary position of shogun in the Tokugawa shogunate, or “Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force Against the Barbarians“ was always held by the head of the Tokugawa clan.
We were only allowed to take photos of the outsides of the castle’s buildings, and their surrounding gardens, so unfortunately we can’t show you the interior of the Ninomaru Palace. The palace housed reception rooms, offices and the shōgun‘s living quarters, and is an absolute dream for admirers of wooden architecture, wood carving and Japanese mural paintings.
Please enjoy a few pics of the gardens surrounding Nijo Castle!
W O W !!! Too bad you couldn’t take photos inside.
We were sorely tempted to snap a shot when no one was looking! Such amazing artistry and craftsmanship!
Beautiful. ❤️❤️
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I really like both Japanese joinery and Gardens. Fabulous craftsmanship in both.
Us too! We were the only people stopping and ogling at the various wooden joints in the buildings. The construction alone is amazing, as well as beautiful!