Ninomaru Palace

This palace, comprising 3300 square meters, was originally built in 1603 by the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu, and was completed in 1626 by the third Shogun, Iemitsu.

The palace proper consists of five buildings, with 33 rooms and 800 tatami (straw mats) in total. It is almost entirely constructed of Hinoki Wood (Japanese Cypress). The paintings on the sliding doors and walls of each room are by great artists of the Kano School. The transoms above the sliding doors are beautifully carved from massive sypress blocks.

To the northeast of the palace are service buildings for the preparation and storage of food. These have been designated Important Cutural Properties by the Japanese Government.