Hiroshima Castle

Reconstruction of the former castle

3.4 (973)

#3 of 5 most visited in Hiroshima

Hiroshima Castle (�L��, Hiroshimajō), also called the Carp Castle, is a good example of a castle built on a plain in the center of a city as opposed to hilltop and mountaintop castles. Its main keep is five stories tall, and its grounds are surrounded by a moat. Also within the castle's precincts are a shrine, some ruins and a few reconstructed buildings of the Ninomaru (second circle of defense).

Hiroshima developed as a castle town, whereby the castle was both the physical and economical center of the city. Built in 1589 by the powerful feudal lord Mori Terumoto, Hiroshima Castle was an important seat of power in western Japan. While it was spared the demolishment that many other castles met during the Meiji Period, like the rest of the city, Hiroshima Castle was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945.

Thirteen years later, its main keep was rebuilt in ferro-concrete with an attractive, partially wooden exterior. Inside the keep is an informative museum on Hiroshima's and the castle's history and Japanese castles in general, while panoramic views of the surrounding city can be enjoyed from the top floor.

In more recent restoration efforts, some structures of the Ninomaru, the castle's second circle of defense, were reconstructed using original building methods and materials. They include the castle's main gate and two turrets adjoined by a long storehouse. Visitors can enter the buildings and view exhibits about their reconstruction.

View of the city from the top of the main keep

The castle is a ten minute walk from Kamiyacho-nishi or Kamiyacho-higashi tram stop (12 minutes, 220 yen from Hiroshima Station by lines 1, 2 or 6; 240 yen from February 2025). It is also a ten minute walk from Shukkeien or a 15-minute walk from the Peace Park.

Alternatively, the castle is served by the orange and lemon routes of the Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus (Meipuru-pu). The ride from Hiroshima Station takes six minutes, and there are 4-5 buses per hour.

How to get to and around Hiroshima

Main keep

Hours

9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from December to February)
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.

Closed

December 29 to 31

Admission

370 yen (main keep), admission to the rest of the castle grounds is free

Ninomaru

Hours

9:00 to 17:30 (until 16:30 from October to March)
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.

Closed

December 29 to January 2

Admission

Free

Questions? Ask in our forum.

Japanese

Hiroshima Castle

Official website.

Budget:

- 88 House Hiroshima
  Budget-friendly
  
  Set just 5.4 km from Ikejiri Children's Park, 88 House Hiroshima offers accommodation in Hiroshima with access to a garden, a shared lounge, as well as a shared kitchen. Offering free private parking, the 1-star guest house is 5 km from Aeon Mall Hiroshima-Fuchu. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The units come with air-conditioned bedunits and a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, toaster and fridge. Units are equipped with a coffee machine, a shared bathroom and free WiFi, while selected rooms also offer a balcony and some have river views. At the guest house, every unit comes with bed linen and towels. Guests at the guest house will be able to enjoy activities in and around Hiroshima, like hiking and walking tours. Sorajoyama Park is 5.9 km from 88 House Hiroshima, while Hiroshima Station is 6 km from the property. Hiroshima Airport is 40 km away.
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- Roku Hostel Hiroshima
  Budget-friendly
  
  Set in Hiroshima, Roku Hostel Hiroshima has a garden, terrace, bar, and free WiFi throughout the property. The property is around 1.7 km from Hiroshima Station, 2.5 km from Myoei-ji Temple and 2.6 km from Atomic Bomb Dome. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen, and luggage storage for guests. At the hostel all rooms have a shared bathroom. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is 2.8 km from Roku Hostel Hiroshima, while Chosho-in Temple is 2.9 km from the property. Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport is 46 km away.
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- GRAND BASE Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
  Luxury
  
  Located in the centre of Hiroshima, 600 metres from Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and 700 metres from Atomic Bomb Dome, GRAND BASE Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park offers free WiFi and air conditioning. It is set 2.7 km from Myoei-ji Temple and provides a lift. The aparthotel features family rooms and facilities for disabled guests. Each unit is equipped with a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, and a private bathroom with bidet and slippers. A fridge, a stovetop and kitchenware are also provided, as well as a kettle. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Chosho-in Temple is 3.1 km from the aparthotel, while Hiroshima Danbara Shopping Centre is 3.3 km away. The nearest airport is Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, 44 km from GRAND BASE Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
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- HOTEL PROMOTE HIROSHIMA
  Luxury
  
  Located within 1.1 km of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and 1.1 km of Atomic Bomb Dome, HOTEL PROMOTE HIROSHIMA provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Hiroshima. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space. The hotel features a hot tub, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi throughout the property. At the hotel, each room comes with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Myoei-ji Temple is 2.9 km from HOTEL PROMOTE HIROSHIMA, while Chosho-in Temple is 3.3 km away. The nearest airport is Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, 43 km from the accommodation.
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- HOTEL CLA-SS HIROSHIMA-TOKAICHI
  Luxury
  
  Situated in the Hiroshima City Centre district in Hiroshima, HOTEL CLA-SS HIROSHIMA-TOKAICHI offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is set 1.4 km from Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, 3 km from Myoei-ji Temple and 3.2 km from Hiroshima Station. The property is less than 1 km from Atomic Bomb Dome, and within 1.2 km of the city centre. The units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, the rooms at HOTEL CLA-SS HIROSHIMA-TOKAICHI have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms include a balcony. At the accommodation rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Chosho-in Temple is 3.4 km from HOTEL CLA-SS HIROSHIMA-TOKAICHI, while Hiroshima Danbara Shopping Centre is 3.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, 44 km from the hotel.
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- NAGI Hiroshima Hotel and Lounge
  Mid-range
  
  Ideally set in the Hiroshima City Centre district of Hiroshima, NAGI Hiroshima Hotel and Lounge is set less than 1 km from Chosho-in Temple, a 6-minute walk from Hiroshima Station and 1.3 km from Hiroshima Danbara Shopping Centre. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is 1.3 km from the city centre and 600 metres from Myoei-ji Temple. All guest rooms in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. Every room includes a desk and a flat-screen TV, and some units at NAGI Hiroshima Hotel and Lounge have a balcony. At the accommodation the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near NAGI Hiroshima Hotel and Lounge include Kat? Tomosabur? Bronze Statue, Hiroshima University Institute of Medical History and Hiroshima City Minami Ward Community Cultural Center. The nearest airport is Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, 46 km from the hotel.
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- Hilton Hiroshima
  Luxury
  
  Well set in Hiroshima, Hilton Hiroshima offers 4-star accommodation close to Myoei-ji Temple and Hiroshima City Minami Ward Community Cultural Center. Providing a restaurant, the property also has a bar, as well as an indoor pool and a sauna. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service and currency exchange for guests. At the hotel, every room has a desk. Every room comes with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV, and certain rooms at Hilton Hiroshima have a sea view. All units include a safety deposit box. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near Hilton Hiroshima include Chosho-in Temple, Hiroshima Danbara Shopping Centre and Kat? Tomosabur? Bronze Statue. Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport is 45 km away.
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- Randor Hotel Hiroshima Prestige
  Luxury
  
  Attractively set in the Hiroshima City Centre district of Hiroshima, Randor Hotel Hiroshima Prestige is situated 1 km from Chosho-in Temple, 500 metres from Hiroshima Station and 1.2 km from Hiroshima Danbara Shopping Centre. Featuring a terrace, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is 1.5 km from the city centre and 700 metres from Myoei-ji Temple. Rooms come with a kettle, while certain rooms are equipped with a balcony and others also boast city views. The rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Popular points of interest near Randor Hotel Hiroshima Prestige include Kat? Tomosabur? Bronze Statue, Hiroshima University Institute of Medical History and Hiroshima City Minami Ward Community Cultural Center. The nearest airport is Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, 46 km from the accommodation.
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- fav HIROSHIMA HEIWAODORI
  Luxury
  
  Well located in Hiroshima, fav HIROSHIMA HEIWAODORI provides air-conditioned rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi and a restaurant. This property is set a short distance from attractions such as Hiroshima Danbara Shopping Centre, Atomic Bomb Dome, and Hiroshima Station. The property is non-smoking and is located 600 metres from Myoei-ji Temple. At the hotel, each room has a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. Guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Popular points of interest near fav HIROSHIMA HEIWAODORI include Chosho-in Temple, Kat? Tomosabur? Bronze Statue and Hiroshima City Minami Ward Community Cultural Center. Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport is 46 km away.
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- fav HIROSHIMA STADIUM
  Luxury
  
  Conveniently set in Hiroshima, fav HIROSHIMA STADIUM provides air-conditioned rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi and a terrace. Less than 1 km from Myoei-ji Temple and a 12-minute walk from Chosho-in Temple, the property offers a restaurant and a bar. Private parking is available on site. All units at the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a kitchen. The private bathroom is equipped with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At fav HIROSHIMA STADIUM each room includes bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Hiroshima Station, Hiroshima Danbara Shopping Centre and Kat? Tomosabur? Bronze Statue. Hiroshima Airport is 46 km away.
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