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.