Nijo Castle in Kyoto: Ninomaru Palace and Nightingale Floors

Updated October 24, 2026 | By Tokyo Paul

Nijo Castle in Kyoto is different from the tall, white-walled castles many people picture. It is a flatland castle, and its most famous feature is a palace with floors that chirp when walked on. This guide uses Wikipedia's article on Nijo Castle to share what is known about its history and offers practical tips for visiting. Hours, fees, and restrictions change, so check the official website before you go and follow staff instructions on the day.

What It Is

Wikipedia describes Nijo Castle as a flatland castle in Kyoto. Unlike hilltop castles, it sits on level ground in the city. The article says Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, ordered feudal lords in western Japan to contribute to its construction, and the work began in 1601. It was completed during the reign of his grandson Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1626. That timeline spans a quarter of a century, which suggests a major undertaking.

The Size of the Grounds

The article says the surface area of the castle is 275,000 square meters, or 27.5 hectares, which is 68 acres. It also mentions that the castle area has several gardens and groves of cherry and Japanese plum trees. That means a visit is as much a walk through grounds as a tour of buildings. Allow time, and wear comfortable shoes.

Ninomaru Palace

According to the article, Ninomaru Palace consists of six connected separate main buildings. The palace is where one of the castle's best-known features is found. The article describes nightingale floors, called uguisubari, in the corridors that make a chirping sound when walked upon. Visitors often listen carefully as they walk. Move slowly and respectfully, and follow the route marked by staff.

A Moment in History

Wikipedia states that in 1867, Tokugawa Yoshinobu made a declaration at Ninomaru Palace returning authority to the Imperial Court, known as the Taisei Hokan. This was a turning point in Japanese history. Standing in a building connected to such a moment can add depth to a visit, even if you only learn the outline of the story. For more, a history book or museum exhibit may help.

World Heritage Context

The article says Nijo Castle is one of seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The page we reviewed does not give a year, so we will not state one. It is a useful reminder that Kyoto holds many sites of this kind, so choosing which to visit takes planning.

Planning Your Visit

Check the official site for opening hours, closing days, and admission fees.
Plan your route, remembering that the grounds are large.
Wear shoes that are easy to remove, since you may need to take them off to enter buildings.
Bring socks, as floors may be cold in cooler months.
Prepare for crowds, especially during peak travel seasons.
Bring a light bag, and check any rules about luggage.
Look at the weather forecast, because much of the visit is outdoors.

Rules and Manners

Follow the signs and the route.
Do not touch walls, screens, or decorations.
Be careful with photography, since some interior areas may restrict it.
Do not run, and walk gently on the floors.
Keep your voice low.
Do not enter restricted areas.
Take your trash with you.

A Quiet Way to Listen

Many visitors are curious about the chirping floors. The best way to appreciate them is to slow down and listen without trying to test them. Walking calmly respects the building and lets you hear the sound as intended. Try to avoid stomping or bouncing, which could damage historic materials and disturb others.

Cherry and Plum in the Grounds

The article notes groves of cherry and Japanese plum trees. If you visit in spring, you may want to check flowering forecasts. Our guide to planning a flexible cherry blossom trip explains how the blossom season is defined. Timing varies each year, so be ready to adjust plans.

Combining With Other Kyoto Sights

Kyoto has many sites close together. You could pair Nijo Castle with a garden, a temple, or a food stop. Keep your plan modest, because large sites involve a lot of walking. The Philosopher's Walk, for example, is described by Wikipedia as taking about 30 minutes to complete, though many people spend more time. Choose a few things you want to see, and leave gaps.

Reading a Castle Without a Guide

If you visit without a guide, a simple method can help you notice more. Begin by looking at the overall layout of the grounds, and think about how a visitor in the past would have approached the buildings. Then step inside, and notice how rooms connect to one another, how the ceilings and walls are decorated, and how the layout seems designed to impress. Finally, step back outside and look at the gardens, asking yourself how they frame the buildings.

Not every detail will be explained on signs, so it can be useful to pick up the official pamphlet or audio guide if one is offered. Avoid relying on guesses or social media rumors for facts, and prefer official information.

Construction and Changes

Wikipedia says that in 1601, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered feudal lords in western Japan to contribute to the castle's construction, and that the castle was completed in 1626 during the reign of Tokugawa Iemitsu. The page says parts of Fushimi Castle, including the main tower and the karamon gate, were moved to Nijo in 1625 and 1626, though it is only generally believed that the karamon was originally built for Fushimi Castle. The central keep was struck by lightning and burned down in 1750, and a citywide fire destroyed the Inner Ward in 1788.

A Turning Point in 1867

According to the article, in 1867 the Ninomaru Palace was the stage for Tokugawa Yoshinobu's declaration returning authority to the Imperial Court. The page adds that the palace was donated to the city of Kyoto in 1939 and opened to the public the following year. As you walk through the rooms, remember that you are standing in a space tied to a major change in Japanese history.

The Ninomaru Palace

The page says the Ninomaru Palace covers 3,300 square meters and consists of six connected main buildings, built almost entirely of hinoki cypress, and that these buildings have National Treasure status. It describes the nightingale floors as making a chirping sound when walked on, and says they are often wrongly described as intruder alarms. Walk slowly and listen, and follow staff instructions about where you may step.

Gardens

Wikipedia says the Ninomaru Garden was designed by Kobori Enshu and has a large pond with three islands. It also says the Seiryu-en garden was constructed in 1965 and has two tea houses and more than 1,000 carefully arranged stones. Check whether tea services or special openings are available during your visit, since arrangements vary.

Size of the Grounds

The page gives the castle's surface area as 275,000 square meters, of which 8,000 square meters is occupied by buildings, and says the Honmaru Palace covers 1,600 square meters, with its present structures built between 1893 and 1894 using a relocated part of the Katsura Palace. The scale means you can spend several hours here, so decide in advance how much you want to see.

Interior Etiquette

You will usually remove your shoes and carry them in a bag provided. Keep your voice low, avoid touching walls and screens, and follow signs about photography, since interior photography is often restricted. Wear socks you are comfortable showing, and expect cool floors in cold months. Move steadily in the one-way route, and do not block the corridor for photographs. If you have mobility concerns, check official information about access and routes.

Questions People Ask

What kind of castle is Nijo? A flatland castle in Kyoto.

When was it completed? In 1626, during the reign of Tokugawa Iemitsu.

What are the nightingale floors? Corridor floors that make a chirping sound when walked upon.

How big is it? The article gives 275,000 square meters, which is 27.5 hectares.

What happened in 1867? Tokugawa Yoshinobu made the declaration returning authority to the Imperial Court at Ninomaru Palace.

A Castle for Slow Looking

Nijo Castle is a place where history, architecture, and quiet moments meet. Go with time to spare, and let the details come to you.

Keep Exploring

Tokyo Paul's Japan Photography Book Stunning Photos of Japanese Cityscapes, Shrines, Festivals & Nature is described on Amazon as a collection of pictures of those subjects from the author's YouTube Japan walks, with locations clearly labeled. See the book on Amazon