The castle itself is pretty amazing especially for the art inside. I took the audio guide which is very useful in taking you through a good route, was very informative and recommended for someone looking to take things slow and appreciate. However the gardens might be a skip depending on the weather and the season. Some of these gardens are only flowering during certain seasons so looking at them during other times makes it pretty dull.
Beautiful castle and the grounds are amazing. You are able to go inside and see the inside and see how the shogun used to live. This castle was used when the shogun was in power and gave the power back to the emperor. So a lot of history is in this place. Maintained well and a lot of good vantage points to take into photos and memories.
An extremely impressive castle dating back to the feudal era, with some considerable historical significance. The grounds are fairly large and the walls and other structures are very impressive to see. The castle itself is also very interesting to see the inside of, with an abundance of explanatory placards. Know that you will have to remove your shoes to walk around the inside in case that informs your footwear decision. Beautiful garden areas are also within the walls. Take your time and take it all in.
It is a very picturesque area… beautiful and skilful trimmed pine trees, lined the area. Loads of history about the Shogun era and the return of powers to the imperial palace at Tokyo.
Interesting trivia about animals depicted in paintings and seating positions of the generals make the visit interesting.
Was able to get the tickets for the inside via the ticket window. Not crowded, so it felt more genuine than most of Kyoto. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed inside the building (which is strange because the paintings inside are replicas).
