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Main route Nijo Castle(Kyoto city)

In 794, the capital was moved from Heijo-kyo Palace in Nara to Heian-kyo Palace in Kyoto. The dairi which housed the emperor’s private quarters and administrative offices was near the current Nijo-jo Castle.
Nijo-jo Castle was built by the Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa and is where the 15th generation Shogun Yoshinobu Tokugawa returned the reigns of government to the imperial court.
From the Heian period until the end of the Edo Period, this was the center of politics for the authoritarian at the time. It was the “heart” of the capital in Kyoto.




Point1　
When you move from Nara, you can take the JR or Kintetsu line. The Kintetsu limited express train is comfortable for you in considering time and amenity of sightseeing. The train runs from Kyoto to Nara or Kashiharajingu station every 15minutes. In recent years, the connection of JR lines between Kyoto and Nara is improving, and the JR has become usable.

Point2　
From Osaka to Kyoto, the Hankyu limited express from Umeda to Kawaramachi station, Keihan line limited express from Yodoyabashi, Kitahama, Kyobashi, Temmabashi to Shichijo, Shijo, Gojo, Demachiyanagi station.

Nijo-jo Castle(World Heritage)
The Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa built this castle as a residence for himself when in Kyoto. The keep burned down in the middle Edo Period, but the Ninomaru-goten Palace, Kara-mon Gate and Ninomaru-teien Gardens are well worth seeing. How to get there: Short walk from Nijo Station on the JR Sagano Line, or Omiya Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
Admission fee: 600yen
Closed: December 26 - January 4

Heian-kyu Palace Suzaku-mon Gate Site
This gate was the main southern entrance to the Heian-kyu Palace. It was 2-stories tall, which earned it the name of Jukaku-mon, literally a "(2-)storied gate". The Suzaku-oji Road, which was the main avenue through the palace went from this gate to Rasho-mon Gate and was 84 m wide.

Heiankyo Sosei-kan Museum
This museum on the first floor of the Kyoto Asny Building is for learning about the Heian-kyo Palace. Much can be learned about the ancient capital and what life was like back in the day from the palace model on a 1000:1 scale and the wall map of Kyoto in the Muromachi Period.
Open: 9:00 - 17:00
Closed: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, December 28 - January 4

Kyomachiya Bunka-kan
Across the street from an oil shop of a prosperous merchant from the middle Edo Period is a renovated row house that operates as a museum. Inside the Kyomachiya Bunka-kan is provided information on the history and culture of Kamigyo, Kyoto.