National Historic SiteChūgoku

福山城

Fukuyama Castle

Lord

Mizuno Katsunari / Abe clan

Era

Built in 1622 (Genna 8)

Designation

National Historic Site

Location

1-8 Marunouchi, Fukuyama, Hiroshima

Access

About 5 min walk from JR Fukuyama Station north exit

Overview

Fukuyama Castle was built by Mizuno Katsunari, a cousin of Tokugawa Ieyasu, with full backing from the shogunate as a bulwark against western daimyō. It is famously the closest castle to a Shinkansen station platform. Celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2022, the tower underwent a complete renovation. Its iron-plated north face is a rare defensive feature nationwide, and the restored jet-black northern wall evokes the castle's original appearance. The Fushimi Turret and Sujigane Gate, said to have been relocated from Fushimi Castle, are precious surviving structures. Located in Bingo Province, it sits at the edge of the Bizen and Bitchū sword culture zones.

Connection to Swords

Bingo Province, where Fukuyama Castle stands, was a major sword-producing area centered on the Mihara smithing group. The Mihara smiths, originating with Masaie in the Kamakura period, produced vast quantities of practical swords throughout the Muromachi era. Bingo blades were prized for their functionality over ornament, making them favorites of Sengoku warriors. Castle builder Mizuno Katsunari, nicknamed 'Oni Hyūga' (the Demon), was a battle-hardened veteran of numerous campaigns who wielded many swords in combat. The later Abe clan lords, as hereditary Tokugawa retainers, also collected and preserved fine blades. Fukuyama Museum of Art displays swords associated with Bingo Province.