National Historic SiteChūgoku

広島城

Hiroshima Castle

Seigneur

Mōri Terumoto / Asano clan

Époque

Built in 1589 (Tenshō 17)

Désignation

National Historic Site

Emplacement

21-1 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima

Accès

About 15 min walk from Kamiyachō-higashi tram stop on Hiroshima Electric Railway

Présentation

Hiroshima Castle was built by Mōri Terumoto, hegemon of the Chūgoku region, on the Ōta River delta. Known as 'Carp Castle' (Rijō), it passed to Fukushima Masanori after Sekigahara and then to the Asano clan, who governed until the Bakumatsu era. All structures were destroyed by the atomic bombing in 1945, but the tower was rebuilt in 1958 as a museum showcasing samurai culture. Hiroshima Castle stands as a symbol of both peace and warrior heritage — a castle uniquely conveying both the history of atomic devastation and the legacy of the samurai. The Ninomaru gate and turrets were reconstructed in the Heisei era.

Lien avec les sabres

Mōri Terumoto, builder of Hiroshima Castle, was the grandson of the legendary Mōri Motonari, who conquered the Chūgoku region. The Mōri clan — famous for Motonari's 'three arrows' parable — valued martial culture and enthusiastically collected swords. Aki Province (western Hiroshima) had active swordsmiths since ancient times, while Bingo Province (eastern Hiroshima) was home to the Mihara smithing group, founded by Masaie, known for producing practical blades in large numbers. The Hiroshima Castle tower exhibition displays swords associated with the Hiroshima domain, and a combined visit with Fukuyama Museum of Art offers a comprehensive tour of Aki and Bingo sword culture.