The Nijo-Jo Castle has been around for over 400 years and had seen some of the most important events in Japanese History. From the founding of the first Shogunate in 1604 to the unification of the country after the civil war and finally the ending of the Edo era with the abdication of the last Shogun. Once the Shogun stepped aside the Imperial period started and there is still an Emperor of Japan to this day. There were no pictures allowed inside the castle and we had to take our shoes off too! That is a big ask and after the shuffling through the huge building all four of our feet were hurting. We are certainly creatures that like the support of modern foot ware. The gardens were fantastic with so many cherry trees of different hues and sizes. The walls were tall and made of very large blocks. A fine visit on a nice day.
We decided to take a bus! It was an ordeal to say the least
The intersection by our house, the lights at the crosswalks take a very long time as there are six different traffic flows that have to get cycled through
Packed into the bus
Back int he day these were corrective shoes, now they are fashionable
Crack that whip!
All these folks did not plan ahead, we did and walked right on in
Lines are for losers!
No end of cure kids touring the castle
Shiny and cool!
Sun in our faces and a castle to visit
Very detailed and colorful
So beautiful
The main entrance
In we go
Off with the shoes
A quick picture of an interior courtyard on our tour
The gate on the opposite
Wooden carvings
Birds are a favorite theme
Hanging bells to be rung in case of emergencies such as fire
Many layers of walls with gates for each layer
The pine trees were all meticulously pruned
Cherry trees over the moat
Large water feature in the garden
Love the evergreens
Large rocks to go with the water
Waterfall
The walls are made up of massive blocks
Perhaps the fullest tree yet
The smell was heavenly
Time to reflect on the generations of folks that have seen this scene before us
This gate in the walls dates to 1626
It is very big indeed
A guard shack at the corner of the exterior walls
It is the only one remaining
Pinks!
Right on down the line
So many blossoms
The curved walls are ascetically pleasing on the watchtower
Lots of pink trees all together
Bronze finial
A green patina on the rocks
The branches seem to be hanging low from all the blooms
The beret is a popular fashion accessory
Greens and pinks
The tree sparrows are getting a taste
A koi fish just deep enough to look like a watercolor
Mossy walls
Another white cherry tree
Bridging the gap
Many tall and uneven steps
Great wood grain
A lone pine tree
The walls are tall
A smaller opening in the much larger gate
A even nicer green patina on these gates
Even more trees on the walkway out
Both white and pink trees
Food and drink is available for the masses
At the edge of the wall
A unique looking clock. It is 4:02 PM
Driving back we went down a street chocked full of flowers
Mmmmm, smells good!
