Nijo Castle is known for being the residence of the Tokugawa for two and a half centuries. In addition, it is here, in the palace Ninomaru last shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu Japanese handed over power to the Emperor Meiji in 1867. In 1939, the palace passed the city of Kyoto, and a year later he opened to all comers. Since 1994, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national treasure of Japan.

Construction of the castle was started in 1601 by order of the governor Tokugawa Ieyasu, and completed in 1926, has his grandson Tokugawa Iemitsu. All the lords were obliged to provide for the construction materials and workers. As a result, the residence included several palaces and buildings with a total area of ​​over 8,000 square meters. meters, and together with gardens area of ​​the complex is 275 thousand square. meters.

Nijo Castle is surrounded by two rings of fortifications, each of which consists of a stone wall and a moat. Inside are the palaces and Hommaru Ninomaru. Hommaru Palace is located in the inner ring, and Ninomaru - between the rings.

Ninomaru Palace consists of several buildings: the palace receptions, where visitors expected audience shogun, guest houses, houses for VIPs. Some buildings were built for the wives and concubines, and also for most of the shogun. In each of these rooms has been created for the rise of the ruler, since no one could be above the head of a seated lord.

The main building of the palace Ninomaru couched in traditional Japanese style - tatami mats spread out on the floor and the walls are painted with animals and plants with bright colors and gilding. The peculiarity of the palace - the creaking ("singing") floors are a medieval version of alarm. His sound they reported approaching the chambers of the ruler who whatsoever.

Plants for gardens that are in Nijo Castle, selected in such a way that at any time of the year they are brought to guests in the form of blossoming. However, initially in the garden it grows mostly evergreen culture.

Nijo Castle is located in Nakagyō-ku Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, and bears the name of the road on which it is located.