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Our final day in Kyoto
Wow—our final full day in Kyoto, a city that has captivated us with its rich history and cultural charm, has finally arrived. We’ve been blogging twice weekly since April to break down our Japan trip into day-by-day recounts, and we have reached the end of “real” Japan. Our next few posts will be all about Tokyo Disney, but first, let’s savor our last day in Kyoto.
The weather was getting nicer and warmer by the day, so at this point in our trip, we barely needed our winter coats. It was a welcome change that lifted our spirits, especially coming from sunny Florida. More and more cherry blossoms were blooming, too, and it was the perfect day to walk around Kyoto. We started the day at the last historic spot of our trip – Nijō Castle.
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Nijō Castle
A short train ride from our hotel transported us to one of the most awe-inspiring places I have ever seen. Stepping into Nijō Castle in Kyoto is like immersing yourself in the pages of Japan’s rich and storied past. This grand structure, with its majestic architecture and tranquil gardens, offers a profound glimpse into the life and times of the Tokugawa shoguns. The castle was built as a residence and not for defense purposes. However, to protect the shogun from enemies, special creaky floorboards were installed to warn of anyone approaching.
Whether you’re a history buff like Mark, an architecture enthusiast like me, or simply looking to immerse yourself in the culture of Kyoto, Nijō Castle is a destination you won’t want to miss. Here’s a closer look at what makes Nijō Castle unique.
A Glimpse into History
Construction and Significance
Nijō Castle, or Nijō-jō, was constructed in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, to serve as his Kyoto residence and demonstrate his power. Completed in 1626 by Ieyasu’s grandson, Tokugawa Iemitsu, the castle symbolized shogunal authority, cementing the shogunate’s dominance over the imperial court.
Key Historical Moments
- Edo Period: Throughout the Edo period, Nijō Castle was a secondary residence for shoguns visiting Kyoto and a stage for many significant political events.
- Meiji Restoration: In 1867, it was within these walls that Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun, returned governing power to the Emperor, marking the end of the shogunate and the beginning of the Meiji Restoration.
- Modern Era: Donated to Kyoto in 1939, Nijo Castle became a public historic site. In 1994, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
What to See and Do
Ninomaru Palace
The Ninomaru Palace is the highlight of Nijō Castle. This well-preserved palace complex consists of multiple buildings connected by corridors with “nightingale floors” that chirp when walked upon to alert against intruders. Inside, you’ll find lavishly decorated rooms with intricate sliding door paintings (fusuma) by famous Kano school artists and beautiful tatami rooms. This main attraction of Nijō Castle is famous for its “nightingale floors” that squeak when walked upon. It was such an incredible sound. Unfortunately, no one is permitted to take photos or videos inside the buildings, so we don’t have any footage, but the sound will resonate with me forever. This castle reminded me of a combination of Himeji Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace with stunning woodwork and wall paintings.
Around the Castle
Honmaru Palace and Gardens
While the Honmaru Palace is not always open to the public, the surrounding Honmaru Gardens offer a peaceful retreat. These gardens feature traditional Japanese landscaping with ponds, meticulously arranged stones, and seasonal flowers, providing a perfect spot for reflection and relaxation.
Seiryu-en Garden
Built in 1965, the Seiryu-en Garden combines elements of traditional Japanese and Western garden styles. It’s often used for tea ceremonies and cultural events.
Castle Grounds
Stroll around the expansive castle grounds to appreciate the impressive stone walls, moats, and various historical structures. The castle grounds are incredibly stunning during the cherry blossom season in spring and the vibrant autumn foliage; however, we missed it and were there before everything turned green and blooms filled the landscape.
Waraku-an Teahouse
Waraku-an is a beautiful tea house in Seiryu-en Garden at Nijō Castle. This quaint and charming tea house overlooking the beautiful imperial garden is located in the northernmost part of the castle ground. This space is strictly reserved for guests who intend to take tea, as you’ll be turned away if you only want to take photos. It was a wonderful space to enjoy Tea and pairing wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet confectionary). It is not a formal tea house, so you can enjoy tea in a relaxed and casual environment. We opted for the Sake flight paired with apple pie and ice cream, and it was such an unlikely pairing that it ended up being delicious.
Visitor Information
Opening Hours and Admission
- Hours: Nijō Castle is typically open from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last admission at 4:00 PM. However, hours can vary, so it’s wise to check the official website before your visit.
- Admission Fee: The general admission fee is around 620 yen for adults, with reduced rates for children, students, and seniors.
Getting There
- By Train: From JR Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Line to Karasuma Oike Station, transfer to the Tozai Line, and get off at Nijojo-mae Station.
- By Bus: Several city bus lines stop near Nijo Castle, making it easily accessible from various parts of Kyoto.
Photography: While you can take pictures in the gardens, photography is restricted or prohibited inside the buildings, so be sure to look for signs or ask the staff.
Nijō Castle is a true testament to Japan’s rich historical tapestry, blending architectural grandeur with natural beauty. It left us in complete awe. We truly enjoyed strolling the gardens and the small market they had on-site. We spent a couple of hours soaking up all the history we could at the last of our historical sites for this trip.
Exploring Kyoto
Knowing we were about to spend three days at Disney, we wanted to keep the day a little lighter, so we didn’t really plan anything else. As annual pass holders for Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, we knew we needed to save our legs a bit. By this time, though, we were eager to get to our Happy Place and the grand finale of Tokyo Disney, and we discovered that Kyoto had an official Disney store. So we had to check it out!
We took the train back to our hotel and then had a beautiful 15-minute walk down Kiyamachi-dori Street along the Takase River. We arrived at the Kyoto Disney store and instantly began buying souvenirs we had never seen before. Just look at that bag! I will share all of our treasures in future posts!
Cocktails and Ramen
We spent some time popping in and out of shopping malls, markets, pharmacies, and just window shopping. We also found the Kyoto Nintendo store and added a few more treasures to our collection.
After some retail therapy, it was time for a drink. We stopped into PCAAAN!! Canzume Bar for a couple of cocktails and to watch the world pass by for a little bit. This was when it started sinking in that we were about to leave this beautiful place. We spent time reflecting, laughing, and realizing that this trip was more life-changing than we even expected.
As the feeling of nostalgia lingered, we started to feel hungry. As we have the entire trip, we turned to Google and searched “Ramen near me.” After reading some reviews, we decided to try a place two blocks away; however, like many popular places in Japan, it had a two-hour wait. Instead, we skipped down a few on the list and found another ramen restaurant that was just around the corner from this one—Engine Ramen and holy smokes. What a hidden gem!
Kyoto Engine Ramen
KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN in Shimogyo is becoming well-known for its delicious ramen. The restaurant offers vegan and gluten-free options, an English menu, and English-speaking staff. Despite the restaurant being full, we were seated promptly in a quiet corner in the upstairs bar area.
This was an incredible experience and our last meal in Kyoto. We ordered Saké and plum wine along with Zesty Ramen, miso-seasoned rice, and soup dumplings. The broth was thick, hearty, rich, and creamy and hit the spot like nothing else could.
Final thoughts about Kyoto
Over our 14-day adventure, we stayed in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, and by far, Kyoto stole our hearts the most. This was the exact picture I had in my mind for what I hoped Japan would be like – a transformative space to fully immerse ourselves in a different culture. For anyone debating it, if you are seeking spiritual enrichment, cultural immersion, or simply a beautiful place to explore, Kyoto is sure to leave a lasting impression on your heart.
From here on out, we will be sharing about our three full days in Disney! Don’t forget to catch up on all of our Japan posts using the links below.
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