二条城

Plan to arrive right at opening (8:45 AM) to catch the Ninomaru Palace's nightingale floors before crowds build. These wooden corridors were designed to chirp underfoot as a security measure, and the effect is far more striking when it's quiet. Walk slowly and you'll hear every step sing.

Check the calendar before you go. The Ninomaru Palace closes every Tuesday in January, July, August, and December, and the Honmaru Palace closes on the third Monday of each month plus the day after. Visiting on the wrong day means missing an interior entirely.

Beyond the palaces, the grounds include dedicated groves of cherry and plum trees, so timing your visit to blossom season adds a lot.