Nijo Castle in Kyoto

I've visited Nijo Castle twice. It's extremely hot in summer and freezing cold in winter, so cold that my feet went numb because you have to take off your shoes to tour the castle. If you visit in winter, make sure to wear thicker socks. The place is always crowded. I also booked a guided tour of the Honmaru online for 1000 yen per person, but honestly, I didn't think it was worth it. The Honmaru isn't the original structure, and everything inside has been restored to look very new. Plus, there are areas that are not open to the public. Half of the tour time was spent watching an introductory video. It's better to just visit the Ninomaru and save your money. Before leaving, stop by the souvenir shop and buy a tiger handkerchief.