Nijo Jinya

Nijo Jinya is a sightseeing spot in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, west of Nijo Castle, where visitors tour an Edo-period samurai residence. A Japanese-language guided tour inside the house, once used as a shukubo, shows hidden staircases and various devices built against surprise attacks. Participation is limited to one morning session per day, booked in advance on the website, and lasts about one hour with the owner explaining the building's history and devices. There is no heating or air conditioning, so viewing is difficult in midsummer and midwinter.