Our last attraction of the trip, Nijo Castle dates from the 1600s and was in use until 1939. Nijo Castle is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its “nightingale floors”, which were purposely built to squeak like nightingale birds when they are walked upon. This was to prevent anyone from sneaking up on the shoguns inside the castle. And they indeed do squeak like nightingales!
Unfortunately they don’t allow photography inside the buildings on the grounds of the castle, but even the grounds are lovely.
Ther inner sanctum of the castle is surrounded by a high stone wall. Outside the stone wall is a moat, then the outer area of the castle grounds, then another moat. So to get into the inner castle required a great deal of effort and it was only the most important visitors that were allowed into the inner castle.
