Nijo Castle is one of Kyoto’s many displays of authentic Japanese architecture enriched with culture. Here’s what it looks like at night!
I like to call Nijo Castle the “mini Osaka Castle” because of its striking resemblance to it in terms of color and architectural design.
Just around the corner from Nijo station and about 3.5 km away from Kyoto station, Nijo Castle is often overlooked as a point of interest for travelers coming to Japan.
A Grand Entrance
Well, it’s not entirely like Osaka Castle, after all, Nijo Castle has a far more spectacular entrance that is so wide it resembles the Great Wall of China (or Japan?).
At night, this is one of the first things you’ll notice walking around the Nijo area, with its bright white glow grabbing your eye’s attention and beckoning your curiosity.
Finding Your Bearings
Personally, I’d never even heard of Nijo Castle until I stumbled upon it, or more specifically, upon the area map on the corner of the moat.
Of course, the castle is closed at night, so the map wasn’t too helpful in that aspect, but at least it helped me realize where I was after wandering around Kyoto on foot for a while.
At night, it can be especially difficult to find your bearings, so having an area map was great not only for obtaining information about Nijo Castle but also some of the surrounding landmarks in the area.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Despite being closed off for entry after 5 p.m., Nijo Castle is bright and beautiful at night and makes for a fantastic walking route around the castle walls.
There are lights all around the structure beaming against the walls, moat, and surrounding trees and shrubs.
This accentuates Nijo Castle in a way that is not quite achievable during the light of day, creating a magnificent contrast between the glowing white outer walls and the pitch-black darkness of the night sky.
Pure White Glory
There’s no doubt that the pure white shade of Nijo Castle is emphasized to a great degree by the surrounding night lights, a sight that looks brilliant in the dark of night.
Much like the full moon reflects the light of the sun to create a brilliant glow in space, a similar ambiance is created by this iconic Kyoto landmark at night.
Not only is Nijo Castle a great place for walking around at night, but it’s also a relaxing spot to sit down at one of the surrounding benches and admire its beauty.
It’s a lot less crowded at night too, giving you an opportunity to enjoy some quality time on your own or with a loved one.
Different Angles, Different Colors!
As you walk around Nijo Castle at night, you may notice an interesting phenomenon where the castle’s shade of vibrant white becomes a warmer yellow color.
It seems there are different types of lamps used to light up the castle at night, and each corner brings you a new viewpoint to appreciate.
Personally, I loved this particular angle on the left corner of the front gate, offering a unique complexion of both yellow and white shades, as though to give Nijo Castle a split personality!
There’s no doubt that Nijo Castle is a fantastic place to visit as a tourist during the day, but for a more “local” experience, try hanging out here during the magic of the night!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!
