10 days in Japan - 10/29/2022 to 11/7/2022

Day 8- Hiroshima Castle-11/5/22

Hiroshima Castle, also known as Carp Castle, was originally built in the 1590s by the order of powerful lord Mori Terumoto. It was destroyed by the atomic bomb along with the rest of the city in 1945 and rebuilt in 1958. Since then, it has also served as a museum of the history of Hiroshima before World War II.  The castle always played an important role in the development of the city and its economical power. On the contrary to others Japanese castles, Hiroshima Castle was characteristically built in the center of the city, in the middle of Hiroshima plain. Castles were indeed usually built on a height, on the top of a hill or of a mountain, for strategically reasons.

We are now headed to Hiroshima castle

A large memorial stone in the park.

Although the castle survived the dismantling of numerous castles during Meiji Era, Hiroshima Castle could not escape the atomic bomb, that leveled it down almost completely. Thirteen years later, in 1958, its main keep was reconstructed in reinforced concrete, with wooden siding.

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Its main tower is five stories high and its grounds are surrounded by a moat. Within the castle grounds there is also a shrine, some ruins and some reconstructed Ninomaru buildings (second circle of defense).

In the spring the castle is one of the great Hanami viewing (cherry blossom viewing) sports in Hiroshima

The leaves are changing colors.

Moat surrounding the castle.

Ninomaru, the main gate was reconstructed in 1958, thirteen years after the bombing.

The Ninomaru ( main gate) and its two turrets were reconstructed  with traditional techniques and materials.

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Moat surrounding the castle.

Once you get in there is a huge park.

View of the castle from the park.

Stairs leading to the main keep.

The keep was renovated in 1989 and became a museum dedicated to Japanese feudal castles’ culture and social classes in Japan’s Middle Ages.

We did not get in the museum and we also found out that pictures are forbidden in most of the indoor parts, where swords, samurai attires and military objects are exhibited.

Hiroshima Gokoku Jinja (Shirne) is a designated place of worship for those who have died in war.

Hiroshima Gokoku Jinja is a Shinto shrine built within the confines of the castle walls.

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There are ceremonies held throughout the year and Gokoku Shrine is one of the most popular places in Hiroshima for celebrating hatsumode (New year) when over half a million people pack the concourse in the first seven days of the year. The local baseball team also make a spring visit to pray for a successful season every year in March.

People praying....

The shrine.

NEXT.... Day 8-Ekinishi neighborhood, Hiroshima