Nijo Castle in Kyoto
By far Japan’s most accessible castle for visitors following the standard Kyoto-Tokyo route, Nijo Castle is conveniently located near the center of the country’s former capital. As a result of being built in 1626 during a period of relative peace, Nijo Castle was more a luxurious estate for the Shogun to use on visits to Kyoto than an actual fortress, giving it a comparatively open design unique among Japanese castles.