Along with Okayama Castle in Okayama Prefecture and Nagoya Castle in Aichi Prefecture, Hiroshima Castle is known as one of Japan's three greatest plains.

It is also one of Japan's 100 most famous castles, and it is said that it was a huge castle with an area of about 120,000 square meters when it was the largest.

There is also a legend that there were many carp in the moat of Hiroshima Castle, so it was given the slightly unusual name of "Carp Castle".

During the Warring States period, the Mouri clan, who ruled this area, was based in Yoshida Koriyama Castle, a mountain castle in the mountains. However, it is said that he got a hint from Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Osaka Castle and built Hiroshima Castle by making use of the Seto Inland Sea's water transportation.

In modern times, it is also characterized by having a unique history as a castle utilization method, such as the Imperial Headquarters being placed in the main enclosure during the Sino-Japanese War.

Currently, it is maintained as Hiroshima Castle Ruins Park, and the interior of the restored castle tower is open to the public as a museum that conveys the history of that time.

■ Basic information
Name: Hiroshima Castle
Address: 21-1 Motomachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Nearest station: JR Hiroshima Station (15 minutes by tram)
Opening hours: 9:00-18:00 (closes at 17:00 in winter)
Fee: (as below)
No regular holiday
Parking lot: None (use nearby parking lot/charged)

■ Entrance fee
General: 370 yen
High school students: 180 yen
Junior high school students: Free (junior high school students and younger)

*Please check the website for detailed information.