Hiroshima Castle

広島県

Castle of central Hiroshima…

Founded

1589

Type

Castle

Visited

Want to go

Access

About 15 min by tram from JR Hiroshima Station, alight at Kamiyacho-higashi

Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima

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Info

Castle

Founded 1589

437 years

Overview

Castle of central Hiroshima, originally built by Mori Terumoto in 1589. Destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945 and reconstructed in 1958, the characteristic black-painted five-story donjon today houses a historical museum. Known as 'Rijo' (Carp Castle), it stands as a symbol of Hiroshima's resilience.

Origins

Hiroshima Castle was founded in 1589 by Mori Terumoto, the head of the Mori clan, on the delta formed by the Ota River, with construction believed to have been completed around 1592. The castle served as the central stronghold of the Mori clan's domain in the Chugoku region, featuring a five-story m…

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Related Figures
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Mori Terumoto

Commander-in-Chief of the Western Army

Age 36 at founding

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Built by Mori Terumoto in 1589 on the Ota River delta, Hiroshima Castle was the central fortress of the Chugoku region. Terumoto served as one of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's five regents and led the Western Army at the Battle of Sekigahara. After his defeat he was transferred to Nagato, and the castle passed to Fukushima Masanori.

Mōri Motonari

Lord of the Three Arrows, Master of the Chūgoku Region

Age 92 at founding (posthumous)

›

Hiroshima Castle was built by Mori Terumoto, but it was his grandfather Mori Motonari who laid its foundation. Because Motonari unified the Chugoku region from Koriyama Castle, Terumoto was able to build this great castle on the Ota River delta on the strength of that legacy. Without Motonari, Hiroshima Castle would never have come to be.

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Visiting Information

Hours

The main keep permanently closed on March 22, 2026 due to structural deterioration; only the exterior can now be viewed. The restored Ninomaru buildings remain open: Apr–Sep 9:00 AM–5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 PM), Oct–Mar 9:00 AM–4:30 PM (last entry 4:00 PM). Closed Dec 8 and Dec 29–31.

Admission

Ninomaru restored buildings: free admission. The main keep is closed and cannot be entered.

As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.

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