Culture
Exploring Hiroshima Castle
JJ WalshOne of the main features of Hiroshima city, this reconstructed castle offers a glimpse into Hiroshima's feudal history.
Hiroshima Castle, also known as Carp Castle, was originally built in the 1590s. It was destroyed by the atomic bomb along with the rest of the city in 1945 and rebuilt in 1958. Since then, it has also served as a museum of the history of Hiroshima before World War II The history of the castle itself, as well as Japanese castles in general, is clearly explained.
Hiroshima Castle's main keep will close on 22 Mar 2026, because the current construction does not meet modern earthquake safety standards.
As of mid-2025, discussions over any future reconstruction of the castle (e.g. a fully wooden but costly reconstruction) are ongoing.
Hiroshima Castle is a good example of a castle built on a plain in the center of a city as opposed to castles on hills and mountain tops. Its main tower is five stories high and its grounds are surrounded by a moat. Within the castle grounds there is also a shrine, some ruins and some reconstructed Ninomaru buildings (second circle of defense).
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Following its restoration, the castle's main keep now serves as a historical museum that covers four floors, with an observation deck on the fifth floor.
This secondary defensive compound sits off the southern side of the castle grounds along the moat. View the restored gates, bridges and turrets. Free admission. Hours: 9:00 to 17:30 (Apr–Sept) or 16:30 (Oct–Mar)
In the evening, Hiroshima Castle can be seen lit up making for a beautiful sight and reflection in the surrounding moat.
By train/streetcar: Hiroshima Castle is about a 10-minute walk north from the downtown area, including Kencho-Mae Station (Astram Line) or Kamiyacho-higashi stop (Hiroden streetcar).
Meipuru-pu sightseeing bus: The castle is also on the route for the Hiroshima sightseeing loop bus, Meipuru-pu, which starts from Hiroshima Station. The castle is a 6 minute ride and the second stop on the route.
By foot: The castle is about 10-15 minutes walk from both Peace Park and Shukkeien Garden. By foot, it can form part of an ideal day itinerary.
One of the main features of Hiroshima city, this reconstructed castle offers a glimpse into Hiroshima's feudal history.
This festival is a food-lovers paradise, showcasing local food and drink from all 23 cities and towns across Hiroshima Prefecture.
The 1.5km path around Hiroshima Castle will take you on a scenic journey through time and provide you with beautiful 360 degree views of the castle
Le sentier pédestre de 1,5 km de long autour du château d'Hiroshima vous permettra de contempler ce lieu magnifique sous tous les angles.
เทศกาลอาหาร สวรรค์ของคนรักการกิน ในงานจุเต็มไปด้วยแผงขายอาหารและเครื่องดื่มจากทั่วทั้ง 23 เมืองในจังหวัด
Lễ hội là thiên đường dành cho những người yêu thích ẩm thực, với nhiều món ăn và đồ uống đa dạng đến từ tất cả 23 thành phố và thị trấn của tỉnh.
Одной из главных достопримечательностей Хиросимы является реконструированный замок, позволяющий взглянуть на феодальную историю Хиросимы.
Una de los atractivos principales de la ciudad de Hiroshima es este castillo reconstruido que ofrece una visión de la historia de Hiroshima.
Một trong những điểm nổi bật chính của thành phố Hiroshima, thành cổ được tái xây dựng này giúp bạn có cái nhìn tổng quan về lịch sử phong kiến của Hiroshima.
Held annually on the vernal equinox, the Hiroshima Warmed Sake Festival allows visitors to sample a variety of local brews heated up. The benefits of drinking sake warm often relate to the flavors being expressed – heat is said to enhance the taste.
Why Guest House Roku in Hiroshima is a great place for budget travelers looking to make friends
Chisun Hotel Hiroshima, centrally located in the downtown area, is a great place to stay if you're planning a visit to this world famous city.
Okonomimura is a Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki theme park located in Shintenchi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, near the east end of the Hondori shopping street. It has 24 okonomiyaki restaurants, each with a slightly different style and one different selection of ingredients. Okonomiyaki began in the pre-war period as a dish called "Issen Yoshoku" ("" Western food for a dime ""), which was very popular with common people. It consisted of a flour paste cooked with onions, dried shrimp, and spices. After the war, other ingredients such as cabbage, eggs, seafood, buckwheat and wheat noodles were used to improve the diet in these tough times. This is how today's Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki came about. [Photo: Victor Lee / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]
Centrally located conveyor belt sushi restaurant serving quality fish and seafood direct from a local market at reasonable prices.
If you like Japanese dishes and love your vegetables, you will enjoy a meal at NonoBudou 野の葡萄 "Natural Garden Terrace"
Located on the grounds of Hiroshima Castle, Hiroshima Gokoku Jinja (広島護国神社) is a Japanese Shinto Shrine in central Hiroshima City. "Gokoku" Shrines are Shinto shrines designated as places of worship for those who have died in war. Like the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, what became Hiroshima's Gokoku Shrine was also originally constructed in 1868 to commemorate the Hiroshima Han victims of the Boshin War. Seventy-eight souls were enshrined in the Futabanosato shrine, named Mikureisha (水草霊社). Eventually, the total number of souls enshrined there reached 92,700, including the soldiers from the former Aki no kuni (now western Hiroshima Prefecture) who died in Japan's wars up until the start of the Great East Asian War (as World War 2 post Pearl Harbor is known in Japan) and around 10,000 workers and volunteer corps who were stationed in Hiroshima and lost their lives to the A-Bomb. In 1934 it was dismantled, rebuilt and renamed Kansaishoukonsha (官祭商塊社), and moved to a corner of the west of the military parade ground, where the Hiroshima Municipal Baseball Stadium stood until the end of 2008. In 1939, its name was changed by order of the Interior Ministry to the Hiroshima Gokokujinja. In 1945 it was destroyed by the atomic bomb, and was rebuilt on the current site within the grounds of Hiroshima Castle in 1956 with the aid of donations from the citizens of Hiroshima. The current main building is even more recent, rebuilt in 1995, when the grand stone slab approach was also added. Events at the shrine are held throughout the year.
Shukkeien Garden, located in central Hiroshima City, is a traditional Japanese-style garden loved by visitors and locals alike. This natural oasis among urban life provides a wonderful setting to slow down and rejuvenate among nature. Shukkeien Garden was completed in 1620 as a private garden for one of Hiroshima’s feudal lords (daimyo) and translates to “shrunken scenery garden” in Japanese. Although the garden was severely damaged in 1945 during WWII, it was completely restored to its former grandeur and is known as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. The Edo-period garden is cleverly landscaped to look like miniature mountains, valleys, rivers, bamboo groves, waterfalls, and forests. In the center of the garden, a carp-filled lake features multiple pockets of land that resemble islands. Plants pruned to look like tiny trees sprout from these islands and decorate the surrounding grounds. The pond’s stillness creates a mesmerizing reflection of the area’s natural hues and organic forms. The scenery shines brightest in springtime when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and in autumn when the foliage turns vibrant. The garden also has a small stone statue on its northern side to commemorate the people lost during the atomic bombing in 1945. You can view the expertly crafted scenery from a path around the perimeter of the park or in one of the garden’s many tea houses, which hold tea ceremonies year-round.
With its beautiful skylines and active waterways, Oizuru Tower offers its visitors a way to see all of that activity—day or night—unobstructed by glass or rails. The wooden floors and ceilings give off a gentle warmth and the pillars that support the ceilings also provide beams of light. Instead of glass or railings, guests can feel the Hiroshima air wash over them thanks to the stainless-steel net fence. With unobstructed views of Hiroshima, including the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome (and even Mount Misen of Miyajima on clear days), the tower offers viewers a way to feel at one with the city. Hiroshima Oizuru Tower is also home to an assortment of shops and cafés. Visit the first floor to find that special souvenir of one of Hiroshima’s local products at Hito to Ki. You’ll also find Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki in Akushu Café—including unique wrap-style okonomiyaki. On the 12th floor, you can also fold your own origami crane and leave it on the Oizuru Wall with your well wishes for the future. From the 12th floor to the 1st floor, there is a slide “cool-cool-cool” that runs alongside the spiral staircase. Why not try sliding your way down twelve floors—or just a couple, as you can exit in between floors. While you take a walk inside, browse the original comic created by Shuho Sato—manga artist of “Umizaru” and “Say Hello to Black Jack”—the works inside Oizuru Tower reflect on the theme of peace. No matter what you decide to do, you’ll be delighted by the spaces and experiences that you can create. Discover the past, present, and future of Hiroshima while you gaze out at this bustling city.