Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo)

This castle in Kyoto was constructed by the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period (1603–1868), first in 1603 by the first shogun, Ieyasu, and then enlarged in 1626 by the third shogun, Iemitsu. It was later used to house the Kyoto prefectural government and as a villa for the imperial family. Its grounds, surrounded by a moat stretching approximately 500 meters east to west and approximately 400 meters north to south, are a designated National Historic Site and were also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 as one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. The existing Ninomaru Palace (a National Treasure) comprises six buildings made in the shoin-zukuri architectural style that offers a sense of the sophistication of Momoyama-period art through its sculptures and ornaments. Inside there are 3,600 wall paintings by artists of the Kano school, including 1,016 designated Important National Treasures. Ninomaru Palace overlooks Ninomaru Garden (a designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty), which was renovated by Kobori Masakazu. In 1788, Honmaru Palace was destroyed by fire and replaced by the former Katsura Palace (an Important National Treasure) that was relocated from the Kyoto Imperial Enclosure. Nijo Castle occupies a unique position in the history of the Edo-era shoguns, hosting both the celebrations to mark the start of the first shogun’s reign and also the last shogun’s transfer of power to the emperor in 1867, which is exactly 150 years ago in 2017.

Kyoto Art Center

Kyoto Art Center opened in April 2000 as a place for artists and people connected to the arts to carry out their activities, aiming to comprehensively promote art in the city of Kyoto. Alongside supporting activities related to art and spreading information about art widely, it organizes a broad range of projects aspiring to create interchange through art between residents and artists. Not only contemporary visual art, it also works with practitioners across many other fields, including traditional performing arts, music, theatre, dance, and crafts. It is actively involved with producing new work as well as furthering international exchange and disseminating information.
The building that houses the center is the renovated Meirin Elementary School and a superb example of modern architecture in the city, located in one of the districts in central Kyoto associated with the Gion Festival.

By train

From JR Kyoto station
Take Subway Karasuma Line, transfer at “Karasuma Oike” and get off at “Nijojo mae”.

Take the bus No.9, No.50 or No.101 and get off at “Nijojo mae”

From Hankyu Karasuma Station
Take the bus No.12 or No.101 and get off at “Nijojo mae”

From Hankyu Omiya Station
Take a taxi, about 5 minutes.

From Keihan Sanjo Station
Take Subway Tozai Line and get off at “Nijojo mae” station.

By car

About 30 minutes from Meishin Expressway Kyoto East IC or Kyoto South IC.