At Nijo Castle, I wandered through the Ninomaru garden, surrounded by beautiful pines and carefully shaped greenery. The scene felt calm and elegant, with every stone and tree placed as if in a painting.

Ninomaru is a classic Edo‑period stroll garden built around a large central pond. Small stone islands rise from the water, symbolising mythical places of good fortune and long life, while rocks along the shore form tiny peninsulas and cliffs. Manicured pine trees lean over the pond, reflected in the water alongside azaleas, maples, and moss‑covered ground. Walking the paths, the view is always changing—sometimes focused on the palace buildings behind you, sometimes on waterfalls and quiet corners of the garden. It is a place designed for slow steps, soft conversation, and simply enjoying how nature and architecture blend into one harmonious space.