Adventure at Nijo Jo in Kyoto :D

Awkward Camera Selfie time!

 Nijo Jo is definitely a tourist attraction. The castle is super impressive, large, and just sprawls along the bustling streets of Kyoto. There is a large moat around the outer walls, and the watchtowers at the corners are huge. Really impressive to look at.

Map of the interior

Littlebear was suitably impressed <3

Watchtower from inside the walls

Interior walls around the main castle

Littlebear & Bear picture!

Beautiful artwork on the interior wall archway

Littlebear is ready to explore the Palace!

Interior Palace

Palace doorway artwork

 Photos were not allowed to be taken inside the Palace unfortunately.

You walk up to the entrance, have to take off your shoes, and wear slippers that are provided. Poor Kitsune suffered muchly wandering through the halls trying to balance on too tiny and tight slippers.

There is a path mapped out for tourists to follow, taking you around the interior of the palace. The floor boards had a unique property, where when walked on they make sounds that are similar to little birds. Really neat to hear as you wander along.

Lots of small information boards teach you about the different rooms and what they were used for during daily life. Beautiful paintings and silk screens covered the walls of each room. Lots of filigree carvings and specific themes for individual occupants of each room as well. History just permeated the air. Felt fascinating to walk through such a place and imagine who lived there before and what their lives were like.

Palace Garden

Palace Garden 

 When you put your shoes back on and exit the palace, there is a path to continue wandering around the castle grounds. The grounds boast beautiful gardens and ponds. I'm sure in Spring and Fall they must look spectacular. There is a whole area devoted to just fruit trees and cherry blossoms!

Littlebear & Bear photo!!

Littlebear really liked the water and rocks

Overlooking the castle interior. They are restoring different parts of the buildings currently

The trees are such interesting colors

Overlooking part of the moat

Kitsune and I enjoyed slowly wandering around Nijo Jo and taking in all the history and culture. The day got progressively colder, and eventually started to sleet/snow just a little toward the finish.

We figured we should eat a little bit for lunch, so headed to Nishiki Market to find something to eat. After that, we headed to Fushimi Inari :D It was a really busy day. After Fushimi Inari, we headed back to the Ryokan to get cleaned up for our Kaiseki dinner.

Completely worth the small entrance fee to be able to wander about this place. Loved it!