Fodor's Expert Review Nijo Encampment

A short walk south of Nijo-jo, this 17th-century merchant house saw later service as an inn for traveling daimyo (feudal lords). A warren of rooms, Nijo Jinya is crammed with built-in safeguards against attack, including hidden staircases, secret passageways, and hallways too narrow to allow the wielding of a sword. The house is again a family residence, so visitation is limited to one-hour tours that require reservations at least a day ahead. The tours are in Japanese, but you can arrange for an interpreter on the house's website.