Manga Museum to Nijo Castle
The Museum of Kyoto - Kyoto International Manga Museum - Nijo Castle - Nijo Jinya 京都文化博物館～京都国際マンガミュージアム～二条城～二条陣屋
Overview
The Meiji Era Musuem of Kyoto used to be a dull daytrip children were dragged to once on a required school trip – and then never returned. In the last five years or so, a series of wonderful exhibits has made it one of the best museums in Kyoto.
Its younger cousin, the International Manga Musuem, is also a great place to visit. It was built in a former elementary school just north of downtown. Regular exhibits and a permanent collection make it the best museum of its kind in Japan.
The penultimate stop is Nijo Castle. Nijo was built as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns and completed in 1626. It is a massive fortified castle surrounded on all sides by a large moat. In 1601, Tokugawa Ieyasu issued an edict that all feudal lords in Western Japan had to contribute to the construction of Nijo Castle. The Castle was the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns. This was where the real power lay. A bit north is Gosho, the Imperial Palace, the residence of the Emperor - the symbolic head of the country.
The final stop is Ninja House, otherwise known as Nijo Jinya. This is a private home that has been owned by the same family, the Ogawas, for several hundred years. A reservation is required, and tours are conducted in Japanese only. You will need an interpreter if you want to know what is being said. The tours begin at 10 am, 11 am, 2 pm, and 3 pm. Each tour is limited to 15 people. Note: you need reservations.
Getting to the Starting Point
If you start at City Hall, ride west on Oike Dori on the south side of the street until you get to Takakura Dori. The Hotel Gimmond is on the corner. Turn left.
The Museum of Kyoto is three blocks south on your right.
Nijo Castle
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Manga Museum
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Directions (Map Below)
You start at the Museum of Kyoto, on Sanjo just south of Oike. From there, go north on Karasuma Dori one block. The Manga Museum is on the left.
After you have had your fill of manga, go back south to Oike Dori. Turn right. Ride until you get to Horikawa Dori - about 5 mintues - and cross. Nijo Castle is just to your right.
To get to the Ninja House, go south on Horikawa until you get to Oike. Turn right. At Omiya, turn left. The house is on the right side.
Total Riding Time
30 minutes riding time.
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| Nijo Castle | Museum of Kyoto |
More Information
Nijo Castle
Nijo-dori Horikawa, Kyoto
075 841 0096
Entrance Fee: 600 yen
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Karasuma-Oike Nakagyo-ku Kyoto 604-0846
075 254 7414
Entrance Fee: 500 yen
Museum of Kyoto
Sanjo-Takakura, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8183
075 222 0888
Entrance Fee: depends upon exhibit
Nijo Jinya
due south of Nijo Castle on Omiya Dori
075 841 0972
Entrance Fee: 1,000 yen for adults, 800 yen for high school students
Map
Museum of Kyoto - Manga Museum - Nijo Castle Route
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