Hiroshima Castle

The main keep is typical of early concrete reconstructions, but the reconstructions around the main gate are very nicely done in wood and much more interesting. Take your time to walk around the Obikuruwa area behind the keep. There are nice views of the moats and stone walls. Despite the fact that

History

Hiroshima-jo was built by Mori Terumoto in 1591. Mori Terumoto was a very powerful daimyo who controlled the vast majority of the San'in and San'yo areas. Having outgrown his Yoshida-Koriyama castle he built a new castle at Hiroshima in 1599. Mori Terumoto aligned himself with the Western forces in the Battle of Sekigahara (1600). The Western forces lost and Mori's lands were confiscated. He was then appointed to govern most of what is modern day Yamaguchi prefecture.

One of Hideyoshi's former allies, Fukushima Masanori filled Terumoto's place at Hiroshima. After Fukushima was stationed in Hiroshima, it's said that he got nostalgic for his old days under Hideyoshi. Needless to say, this did not sit well with the Tokugawa. In 1617 a great flood caused much damage to Hiroshima-jo. Fukushima petitioned the Tokugawa government for permission to fix it but he never received an answer. According to Tokugawa law, all daimyo needed permission to build, rebuild or renovate any castle. The only reply Fukushima got from the Tokugawa was "under investigation" and permission never came.

Two years later he proceeded on his own and started to fix the flood damage. Fukushima was caught in a Tokugawa trap. Since he defied their laws, they took away his lands around Hiroshima and gave him a smaller, less profitable province in modern day Nagano prefecture.

Hiroshima-jo lasted through the Meiji Restoration and was named a National Treasure in 1931 only to be destroyed by the atomic bomb in WWII.

Field Notes

The main keep is typical of early concrete reconstructions, but the reconstructions around the main gate are very nicely done in wood and much more interesting. Take your time to walk around the Obikuruwa area behind the keep. There are nice views of the moats and stone walls. Despite the fact that the main areas were crowded there was only one other person enjoying this quiet area of the castle.

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Gallery

main keep foundation area
Main Keep
Ninomaru Omote Gate
Ninomaru Omote Gate
Taiko Yagura
Taiko Yagura
Taiko Yagura
Back side of the Ninomaru Omote Gomon Gate.
Damon Yagura and Taiko Yagura
Inside the Hirayagura, connected to the Ninomaru Omote Gate.
Bridge and Sannomaru Bailey
Inside the Ninomaru Omote Gate
Taiko Yagura
Tamon Yagura
Naka Gomon Gate
Earthen bridge to the Honmaru
View from the main keep
Honmaru stone walls
Main keep
Foundation of the East Connected Keep
Original foundation stones
Main keep
Stone walls with mushabashiri
Stone walls with mushabashiri
Stone walls of the Honmaru bailey
Honmaru Stone walls
Obikuruwa bailey
Honmaru and Obikuruwa bailey stone walls
Stone walls
Obikuruwa and stone walls
Main keep and Obikuruwa bailey
Obikuruwa and stone walls
Stone walls of the Ura Gomon Gate
Honmaru moat and stone walls
Ura Gomon Gate
Ura Gomon Gate
near the Ura Gomon Gate
Main keep and uchibori moat
Main keep and uchibori moat
Main keep and uchibori moat
Outer moat stone wall
Kokuin
Map
Stone walls

Castle Profile
English Name	Hiroshima Castle
Japanese Name	広島城
Founder	Mori Terumoto
Year Founded	1591
Castle Type	Flatland
Castle Condition	Reconstructed main keep
Designations	Top 100 Castles, National Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Main Keep Structure	5 levels, 5 stories
Year Reconstructed	1958 (concrete)
Features	main keep, gates, turrets, bridges, water moats, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access	Hiroshima Station, bus or local train
Hours	370 yen; Open 9am-6pm except Dec - Feb closes at 5pm; Open until 7pm during Golden Week and Obon holidays; closed 12/29-12/31. Only the main keep requires admission, the park is free.
Time Required	120 mins
URL	Castle Website
Location	Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture
Coordinates	34.40272, 132.45888
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	1999
Contributor	Eric
Admin Year Visited	1996, 2014, 2018
Admin Visits	February 1996; November 23, 2014; November 9, 2018
Friends of JCastle
Malcolm Fairman Photography - Hiroshima Castle

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