Nijo Castle is a popular tourist spot and one of Kyoto's World Heritage Sites, and is especially renowned for the beautiful sight of its approximately 300 cherry trees in bloom.

Another great thing about the park is that many different types of cherry trees are planted, allowing you to enjoy cherry blossom viewing over a long period of time, from late March to late April.

In recent years, in addition to the illumination of the cherry blossoms at night, projection mapping shows have also been held, making it a popular unique tourist spot where you can experience the latest digital technology in a historic space.

What is Nijo Castle?

Nijo Castle was built during the Edo period (early 17th century to mid-19th century) as a castle for the Tokugawa Shogunate to stay in when they visited Kyoto from Edo.

Nijo Castle was subsequently renovated on a large scale by order of the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, and is now a place where you can fully enjoy the splendor and grandeur of Momoyama culture, with its Ninomaru Palace, Ninomaru Garden, and Karamon Gate. In 1994, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In modern times, it has also been used as a detached palace for the Imperial family, but since 1939 it has been under the management of Kyoto Prefecture, where it remains to this day.

Characteristics of the cherry blossoms at Nijo Castle

At Nijo Castle, there are about 300 cherry trees of around 50 varieties planted within its vast grounds of 275,000 square meters.

You can see Satozakura cherry blossoms in the Seiryu Garden on the north side of the castle grounds and the Cherry Blossom Garden on the south side of the Honmaru Garden, as well as weeping cherry blossoms along the tree-lined path on the west side of the Honmaru Palace. You can also enjoy the cherry blossoms that coexist with the historical Japanese architecture and gardens, so the area is bustling with tourists every year from March to April.

Highlight 1: A tree-lined road bathed in a shower of cherry blossoms

Among the cherry blossoms at Nijo Castle, the most popular is the avenue of weeping cherry trees on the west side of the Honmaru Palace.

The weeping cherry trees, which have more vibrant flowers than Somei-Yoshino cherry trees, bloom so brightly that they cover the sky above the promenade, it is like a "shower of cherry blossoms." You can't help but be entranced by the beauty of the cherry blossoms, which seem to be in full bloom to welcome visitors.

In addition, in Seiryu-en, a relatively new garden located on the north side of the castle grounds, Somei-Yoshino cherry trees and weeping cherry trees bloom in full glory, forming an arch, and strolls along the promenade here are also very popular.

Highlight 2: Enjoying cherry blossoms and Japanese culture

Nijo Castle has an elegant and tasteful teahouse called "Warakuan," where you can enjoy matcha sweets and other treats on a regular basis.

In addition, a Cherry Blossom Viewing Tea Ceremony is held each year during the cherry blossom season, where you can experience Japanese tea ceremony culture while admiring the cherry blossoms.

This event is extremely popular every year, as it offers the luxurious experience of sipping matcha green tea while watching the cherry blossoms bloom and allows people to experience Japanese culture.

In addition, at the Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival, which is held every year from mid-March to early April, numerous food stalls are set up around the South Gate and the courtyard of Ninomaru Palace, where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing along with delicious cherry blossom sweets and alcoholic beverages.

Highlight 3: Enjoy the cherry blossoms with projection mapping

During the Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival, the cherry blossoms are lit up at night from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every year.

In addition, a projection mapping show will be held at Karamon Gate, projecting a magnificent cherry blossom story, and a spectacular projection mapping show will be held on the entire water surface of the inner moat. You will surely be impressed by the fusion of modern art and traditional architecture.

This new-age cherry blossom viewing experience can only be enjoyed at Nijo Castle, so don't miss it.

Nijo Castle cherry blossom season

At Nijo Castle, about 50 varieties of cherry blossoms are planted, ranging from early-blooming to late-blooming varieties, so they reach their best viewing season in succession.

The best time to see the representative varieties is from late March to early April for Yamazakura and Somei Yoshino, from late March to mid-April for Weeping Cherry, and from early to late April for Satozakura.

Location of Nijo Castle

541 Nijojo-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Access to Nijo Castle

When heading to Nijo Castle from Kansai International Airport, the most convenient route is to first take the airport limousine bus to Kyoto Station.

The airport limousine bus ride from Kansai International Airport to Kyoto Station takes approximately 90 minutes.

After that, take a city bus from the bus stop in front of Kyoto Station for about 15 minutes to arrive at the bus stop in front of Nijo Castle.

The bus stop is right in front of Nijo Castle, so you can enter the castle in just a 1-2 minute walk.

Nearby tourist attractions

Tourist Spot 1: Mikane Shrine

Located about a 10-minute walk from Nijo Castle, Mikane Shrine is a particularly famous fortune-telling spot in Kyoto.

As the god of metals is enshrined here, the torii gates are painted gold and shine brightly, and there is a constant stream of people who visit the shrine to purchase "lucky wallets," which are said to bring good fortune in terms of increasing financial luck.

Although it is a relatively small shrine located in a residential area, be sure to stop by if you are visiting Nijo Castle.

Location of Mikane Shrine

614 Oshininotoincho, Nishinotoin-dori, Oikeagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Tourist Spot ② Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market, located about a 20-minute walk from Nijo Castle, is a shopping street beloved by Kyoto residents.

It is the perfect place for those who want to experience deep Japanese culture, with numerous shops selling obanzai (prepared dishes) that are often found on the dinner tables of ordinary Japanese households, as well as bars where you can enjoy delicious snacks and drinks in a stand-up bar.

Nishiki Market has a roof and is an arcade-style shopping street, so it's nice that you can easily stroll around even on rainy days.

Location of Nishiki Market

609 Nishi-Omonjicho, Tominokoji-dori Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Tourist spot 3: Shinsenen

Shinsenen is a Toji Shingon sect temple famous for its vermilion sled bridge, and is located about a 10-minute walk from Nijo Castle.

During the Heian period, it was developed as a garden for the Emperor who lived in Heian-kyo to relax in, so it is a place that has strong ties to the Imperial family and is still highly cherished by local people today.

It is also said to be the place where Emperor Saga held the oldest cherry blossom viewing event in Japan, called "Hana-en-no-Setsu," in 812, and the grounds are planted with somei-yoshino and weeping cherry trees.

The best time to see the flowers is around the same time as Nijo Castle, from late March to early April, but in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Nijo Castle, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a quiet and solemn atmosphere.

Location of Shinsenen

166 Monzencho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

summary

At Nijo Castle, around 300 cherry trees of 50 varieties reach their peak season one after another, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery from early March to late April.

Not only can you enjoy a tasteful cherry blossom viewing experience within the historic grounds, but modern cherry blossom viewing using projection mapping is also popular.

Be sure to visit during the cherry blossom festival, both day and night.