This castle is very imposing and beautiful. There are two types of tickets, one for outdoors to visit the gardens and another one for indoors to visit the castle inside. As everything in Japan everything is very well kept and clean. There were a lot of people but the place is so big that is not overwhelming. Im amazed by the bright green of the nature in this country.
Great place to visit. I only purchased the outdoor castle admission ticket, which I personally think is enough, around 800yen.
The reception closes at 4PM, so you better come earlier before they close. Once you get the admission ticket, you may enter castle from 4PM to 5PM to enjoy the afternoon view.
Come here during the sober rainy winter month of February . Without sunlight and lush colour , everything seem to be bare down. Yet the history is amazing . Surrounded by canal, u can see the duck are twirling with each other . Please wear thick socks as the floor is freezing cold . The room is interesting . The room which takes in the visitor displayed tiger which they admit there is none in Japan but borrowed from China to intimate the guest . Pay attention to different height of the ceiling to show the status of the shogun with his minister and audience. Also interesting the shogun put his own favourite animal foot prints there.
Compare to golden temple where u feel serene and presence of supernatural ; here u feel plots ; public vs private ( different garden styles the shogun want to display for visitor and for his own and confidante use .
A must visit for anyone trying to understand Kyoto history
Went here during autumn and it was lovely. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also one of well preserved castle. We got the ticket which includes the first palace called Ninomaru Palace and surrounding gardens. During autumn you can also find fall foliage in the gardens. There is another inner palace which requires additional payment.
This castle is wonderful and is a UNESCO world heritage site for a reason. They also take cars here which is convenient compared to other of the Kyoto sites.
We just did the grounds and the moat is so beautiful. Give yourself at least an hour
