Construction of the castle began in May 1601 by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate. The purpose of the construction was to widely announce the arrival of the Tokugawa shogunate and to provide a place for the shogun to stay when he traveled to Kyoto.
In 1614, the main camp for the Osaka Winter and Summer Campaigns was located here, making it a key historical site. In 1626, Emperor Gosui was invited to visit the city. Later, in October 1867, the 15th Tokugawa shogun, Yoshinobu no Yoshinobu, announced his intention to return to the shogunate, bringing the long-lasting Tokugawa shogunate to an end.

The karamon gate is inscribed with motifs of birds and animals, pine, bamboo, and plum. On the reverse side of the chrysanthemum crest found at the time of Showa repair, which is attached to the karahafu, traces of the Tokugawa family's hollyhock crest can still be seen.
Along with the magnificent historical architecture and lush gardens, why not also enjoy the mysteries hidden in the history of Nijo Castle?

In March 2024, the conservation and repair of the Honmaru Goten, an important cultural property, and earthquake-proofing work will be completed, and the building is scheduled to open to the public in September.
The Honmaru Goten, with its distinctive rounded roof, was moved from the Imadegawa residence of the Katsura no Miya family. In addition to the Goshogoden, where the head of the family spent his daily life during the reign of Katsura-no-Miya, there are many other highlights to take a closer look at, such as the paintings by the painters who were active from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period.

The Corona's egg sandwich with a thickly baked egg soaked in broth is a specialty at Cafe Madlag (Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture). ［Located a 10-minute walk from Nijo Castle, this famous coffee shop offers a nostalgic atmosphere with its well-worn furniture and tableware.

From May 2023, a new morning service will begin, offering three types of menu items, including the famous egg sandwich. All of them are hearty and will surely fill you up from morning.
Morning hours are often busy, so take advantage of the 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. reservation services.

［Located along Oike Street near Nijo Castle is Café Tyrol (Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture), a retro café with impressive lattice windows and striped awnings. In the at-home atmosphere, regulars spend their time as they please with a cup of coffee in hand.

The menu offers a wide variety of items such as toast, yakimeshi (grilled rice), and the famous curry. Toppings such as fried eggs are also available, making it fun to customize the menu to your liking. Open from 8:00 a.m., you can enjoy a hearty morning meal while making plans for sightseeing.

Paddy" (Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture), a cafe serving baked sweets and coffee, opened in April 2024. The owner, Mr. Ikuta, who has 10 years of experience in patisseries and cafes, started this store near Nijo Castle as his dream.

The large showcase is filled with elegant baked goods such as canelés and seasonal tarts. Currently, a summer-only menu is being introduced one after another. Choose your favorite baked goods and enjoy them with a cup of coffee.
In July and August, the restaurant will begin offering a morning plate of waffles made with whole wheat flour and tofu, a salad, and a drink on Sundays only; check the restaurant's Instagram for plans starting in September.

Syn (Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture) is a restaurant opened in February 2024 by a couple who worked at the popular restaurant To. in Karasuma Oike. The restaurant is a luxurious space with only a 7-meter-long single-panel counter. The dishes served at the restaurant are a masterpiece using seafood from the mountains and seas of Wakayama, the wife's hometown.

Based on the Italian techniques he has cultivated over the years, he has added an Asian taste and charcoal fire to create an original dish. You are sure to have a good time with a wide variety of drinks.

Chef Noro, who gained experience at Italian restaurants and restaurants in famous Japanese hotels, opened this restaurant near Nijo Castle. He uses a wide range of techniques including French and Japanese cuisine based on Italian cuisine to meet the needs of his guests.

Lunch is available as a set order as well as a course. Dinner courses are available in four price ranges, making it a reliable choice for date nights, group dinners, and various other occasions. The restaurant is popular, so be sure to check availability as soon as you decide on a date.

［About a 15-minute walk southwest from Nijo Castle. This brick-built European restaurant is located on the Sanjokai shopping street. The owner, Mr. Mori, welcomes customers with delicious dishes he has encountered in Europe at his cozy restaurant, which seats 10 at one large table.

At lunch time, many people visit the restaurant for the creative pasta dishes. The restaurant also offers colorful pintxos and salads from the showcase.
Due to its popularity, there used to be a line in front of the restaurant, but now the restaurant has adopted a time-switching system in order to reduce crowding. For the latest information, check the restaurant's Instagram.

Three-minute walk from Nijojo-mae Subway Station. This Japanese-style restaurant offers dishes that showcase the skills of craftsmen at a reasonable price. The owner, Mr. Ito, has 30 years of experience in Japanese cuisine.

The restaurant boasts dishes using natural fish purchased by visiting the market. At breakfast time, a wide variety of dishes are on standby, including the popular sashimi set meal, tekka donburi and chicken karaage set meal. In the evening, enjoy omakase dishes from 4,400 yen with sake.

［On the east side of Nijo Castle, a simple building blending in with the cityscape with a large yellow flag catches the eye at SONGBIRD COFFEE (Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto), a stylish cafe run by a design company.
The restaurant is decorated with chairs that stand out for their vivid colors and unique interior design, creating a comfortable space with a view through the window.

In addition to the famous egg sandwiches and curry, the lineup includes sweets perfect for snack time. Don't miss the original coffee blended especially for the restaurant by a famous home-roasting store.

Opened in March 2024 by the owner, who trained in France to make bread and pastries. The chic blue-gray walls are complemented by antique furniture from England and other countries, and the gallery on the second floor hosts artists' exhibitions and events, so art lovers are sure to want to come by.

Don't miss their specialty flans and tarts, which are based on French recipes and have been tried and tested for their authentic taste. The showcase is also stocked with a variety of baked goods for souvenirs. Stop by on your way to Nijo sightseeing.

Located between Nijojo-mae and Karasuma-Oike subway stations is a shrine dedicated to metals, a rarity in Japan. The golden torii gate gives a sense of power.
Ginkgo, the sacred tree, is said to be a symbol of "prosperity" and "longevity" because of the shape of its leaves, which spread in eight directions. The awarding office has a wide variety of good luck charms and ema (votive picture tablet) with ginkgo motifs, and is visited daily by people wishing for success in money-related matters.

This is a famous garden built adjacent to the Ouchiuchi Palace during the construction of the Heian-kyo Capital. It is said that the Gion Goryokai, in which 66 floats were erected and a portable shrine was sent from Yasaka Shrine to Shinsen-en, was the origin of the Gion Festival.