Hiroshima prefecture preserves rich historical memories from the Sengoku to Edo periods, and its castle town atmosphere is equal to that of other famous historic cities in Honshu. Hiroshima Castle was constructed by the famous Sengoku-era general Mori Motoharu in 1589 as the political center of the Hiroshima Domain, and the surrounding area gradually developed into a prosperous castle town district. Although many historic buildings no longer exist due to the atomic bombing during World War II, through preserved relics and reconstructed districts, we can still feel the former grandeur of "Koijo" (Carp Castle). Hiroshima's castle town is centered around Hiroshima Castle, radiating outward to form a unique historic district atmosphere. Additionally, Onomichi, Takehara, and Tomo no Ura within Hiroshima prefecture all retain relatively complete Edo-era scenery, making them excellent destinations for exploring traditional Japanese castle town culture.
Special Highlights
The greatest difference between Hiroshima's castle towns and those in other regions lies in the theme of convergence between war and peace. Although Hiroshima Castle was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1958, the tower was rebuilt and now operates as the Hiroshima Castle History Museum, open for visits and displaying precious domain lord artifacts and armor. The moat and stone walls around the castle retain their original scale, and walking here allows one to imagine the prosperity during the Mori clan's rule. Castle towns in other municipalities of Hiroshima prefecture have preserved more traditional buildings untouched by war fires, such as Takehara's old street, which preserves merchant buildings from the Edo to Meiji periods, fully displaying the commercial atmosphere of the past. Another feature of Hiroshima's castle town is its close connection to the sea—whether it's the harbor scenery of Onomichi, the naval port heritage of Kure, or the tidal atmosphere of Tomo no Ura, visitors can experience a unique atmosphere different from inland historic cities.
Recommended Spots
Hiroshima Castle (Hiroshima Castle History Museum)
The official name of Hiroshima Castle is "Koijo" (Carp Castle), built in 1589 when Mori Motoharu invited craftsman Ueyama Zenyu from Chikuzen Province to construct it. The tower is a five-story, five-level structure built in the Momoyama period castle architecture style, fusing Military and artistic aesthetics. It was destroyed by the atomic bomb during World War II, and the current tower is a reinforced concrete reconstruction with the interior converted into a history exhibition hall. The museum displays Mori Motoharu's armor, letters from Hiroshima Domain lords, and weapons and crafts from the Sengoku period. Carp can be seen swimming in the castle moat, which is the origin of the name "Koijo." When cherry blossoms bloom in spring, the moat banks become a popular cherry blossom viewing spot.
Around Senkoji Park in Onomichi
Located in southeastern Hiroshima prefecture, Onomichi was one of the strongholds of the Mori clan during the Sengoku period. Senkoji Park is built on a hillside, and taking the cable car to the top offers a panoramic view of the Onomichi Waterway and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. The "Cat's Alley" near the park has become a popular spot in recent years, where artists have placed adorable cat stone statues in the old alleys, adding fun to the traditional district. Onomichi's old streets preserve Edo-era merchant and temple buildings, many of which have been converted into cafes and select shops, perfect for strolling and exploring. The Onomichi Literature Memorial Hall commemorates the history of literary masters such as Shiga Naoya who lived and created works here.
Takehara Old Street (Preservation District)
The "Preservation District" of Takehara Town is the most completely preserved Edo-era to Meiji-era merchant district in Hiroshima prefecture, with about 200 meters of street lined with earthen-walled shops and residences. The buildings here mainly feature traditional "Kiritsumazuke" and "Irimoya" roof styles, and many shops are still in operation today, including a century-old soy sauce brewery and a traditional Japanese confectionery shop. Takehara was an important salt field production area during the Edo period and a transportation hub to the Seto Inland Sea, prosperous commercial activity left behind this precious historic district. The annual "Takehara Preservation District Lighting Event" held in winter transforms the old street into a dreamlike atmosphere with warm lighting.
Tomo no Ura
Tomo no Ura is an ancient harbor town along the Seto Inland Sea. During the Sengoku period to the early Edo period, it was an important stronghold of the Mori clan, with "Tomo港" used for naval defense and maritime transportation. The complete site of the "Bugyo-sho" (magistrate's office) and harbor facilities are preserved here, and the harbor atmosphere of the Edo period remains clearly visible today. The "Evernight Lantern" in the town is a landmark building of the harbor, said to have been installed for prayers for safe navigation. Tomo no Ura was featured as a filming location in the movie "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea," attracting many animation fans in recent years. The fish market by the harbor offers fresh Seto Inland Sea products, making it a great place to experience the atmosphere of a small fishing town.
Practical Information
Transportation:
- Hiroshima Castle: Take Hiroshima Electric Railway "Line 1" from Hiroshima Station to "Kamyomachi" Station and walk about 10 minutes, or take a bus to "Hiroshima Castle" Station.
- Onomichi: Take the "Seto Marine" Sanyo Shinkansen from Hiroshima Station to Onomichi Station in about 30 minutes.
- Takehara: Take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Takehara Station in about 40 minutes, then walk about 5 minutes to the preservation district.
- Tomo no Ura: Take a bus from Fukuyama Station for about 30 minutes to "Tomo no Ura" Station.
Admission Fees:
- Hiroshima Castle History Museum: Adults ¥370, high school students and under free
- Onomichi Senkoji Park Cable Car: Round trip ¥870
- Takehara Preservation District: Free admission (some shop interiors may charge fees)
- Tomo no Ura Harbor Area: Free admission
Hours of Operation:
- Hiroshima Castle History Museum: 9:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30), closed Mondays (closed the following day if Monday is a holiday)
- Onomichi Senkoji Park: 8:00-18:00 (cable car)
- Takehara Preservation District: Open all day, shop operating hours approximately 9:00-17:00
- Tomo no Ura: Open all day
Travel Tips
When visiting Hiroshima's castle town, it is recommended to plan 2-3 days, which allows you to tour Hiroshima City and surrounding towns together. Hiroshima's "Momijimanju" (maple leaf pastry) and "Hiroshima-yaki" (Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki) are must-try specialty foods, and the "Hon-dori" commercial street near Hiroshima Castle allows you to experience both traditional and modern atmospheres. Visitors with JR PASS (such as the Hiroshima-Yamaguchi PASS) can flexibly arrange trips to nearby towns like Onomichi and Takehara. Hiroshima prefecture has pleasant weather in spring and autumn, making it the best season to visit castle towns; although summer is hot, you can combine it with island-hopping in the Seto Inland Sea; there are fewer tourists in winter, allowing you to leisurely visit each historic district. If you are interested in Japanese Sengoku history, the Mori clan-related exhibits inside Hiroshima Castle are worth savoring, and it is recommended to reserve at least 1 hour to visit the Hiroshima Castle History Museum.
