Shukkei-en Garden
Hiroshima, Japan
Hiroshima Castle
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Photo: Evelyn-rose, CC0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- free (keep closed)
- Hours
- Ninomaru: October–March 9:00–16:30, April–September 9:00–17:30; keep closed since March 2026
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Keep
- Closed since March 2026 — exterior only
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Ninomaru
- Free
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Ninomaru hours
- October–March 9:00–16:30; April–September 9:00–17:30
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Closed
- 8 December, 29–31 December
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Park
- Free, moats and stone walls
- Getting there
- Tram to Kamiyacho-nishi, 15 minutes on foot; about 20 minutes from the station
Key facts
1589the year Mori Terumoto began building the castle
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rijo-castle.jpFlatlandcastle on the Ota River delta
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rijo-castle.jp1958the year the present concrete keep was built
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en.wikipedia1994the Ninomaru buildings were rebuilt in wood
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en.wikipediaMarch 2026the keep closed because of concrete wear
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rijo-castle.jpFreeentry to the Ninomaru and park
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rijo-castle.jpCarp'Carp Castle' — its other name, Rijo
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en.wikipedia5 tierson the keep
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en.wikipediaWhat is Hiroshima Castle?
Hiroshima Castle is a flatland castle that Mori Terumoto began building in 1589 on the delta of the Ota River. The city of Hiroshima grew up around it. Its other name is 'Carp Castle', Rijo, used since long ago — and the local baseball team is called the Carp.
The five-tiered keep is a concrete reconstruction from 1958, which long housed a history museum. In 1994 the Ninomaru buildings — gates, corner turrets and a long corridor at the castle entrance — were rebuilt in wood using traditional techniques. Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine also stands in the grounds.
What's open and when
The rebuilt Ninomaru buildings — the main gate, turrets and corridor — are open free of charge: 9:00 to 16:30 from October to March, and until 17:30 from April to September; last entry is 30 minutes before closing. In 2026 they close on 8 December and from 29 to 31 December.
The castle park, with its wide moats and stone walls, is always open. A sightseeing boat runs on the moat, on a timetable that depends on the season and sunset. In the evening the keep is lit up, and the bridge over the moat gives a lovely view of the tower above the water.
What to see
- The keep — from outside, from the bridge or the moat.
- The Ninomaru — wooden gates and turrets.
- The moats and stone walls around the castle.
- Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine in the grounds.
- The moat boat — on a seasonal timetable.
- The keep lit up in the evening.
How to get to Hiroshima Castle
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Shukkei-en Garden is about 15 min away on foot.
- Okonomi-mura is about 24 min away on foot.
More tips
- Tram — to Kamiyacho-nishi or Kamiyacho-higashi, then about 15 minutes on foot north.
- From Hiroshima Station — about 20 minutes on foot west.
- Taxi — about 10 minutes from Hiroshima Station.
- From Shukkei-en Garden — about 10 minutes on foot.
- From Hiroshima Airport — bus to the station, about 50 minutes.
Hiroshima Castle or Himeji Castle
| Hiroshima Castleyou are here | A reconstruction, closed | Free | Ninomaru, moats, park | 45 minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Himeji Castle | Original, open | ¥2,500 | The white tower and maze of courtyards | Half a day |
How long do you need?
While the keep is closed, 45 minutes to an hour is enough: go through the Ninomaru gates, walk round the keep and moats, and look into Gokoku Shrine. It's a good walk between Shukkei-en Garden and the city centre.
In spring the castle park fills with cherry blossom, and in autumn the trees along the moats turn yellow. The grounds are large and quiet — pleasant for a morning walk before it gets hot.
Is Hiroshima Castle worth visiting?
Yes, if you're in central Hiroshima: the walk is free, and the wooden Ninomaru gates and turrets are a fine example of castle architecture.
The YesGo take: with the keep closed, the castle has lost its main draw — the museum and the view from the top. It's not worth a special trip. For a real Japanese castle, Himeji is better, and it's on the shinkansen line between Hiroshima and Osaka. In Hiroshima, the castle is a pleasant stop on the way to Shukkei-en Garden.
Look closely at the Ninomaru gates: they were rebuilt from old drawings and photographs, in wood, using traditional carpentry. Near the keep the stone bases of old buildings survive, showing how large the castle once was.
Before you go: checklist
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Hiroshima in half a day
Hiroshima Castle and the Ninomaru in the morning, then Shukkei-en Garden, and okonomiyaki at Okonomi-mura for lunch. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Hiroshima Castleyou are here1 h · free (keep closed)
- 14 min walk from the previous stopShukkei-en Garden1 h · ¥350
- 19 min walk from the previous stopOkonomi-mura1 h · free entry; okonomiyaki ≈ from ¥1,000
3 places · about 3 h 33 min with walks · 33 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
Okonomi-mura
Hiroshima, Japan
How to do it right
- The keep has been closed since March 2026.
- The Ninomaru is free.
- Ninomaru closes at 16:30 in winter.
- The keep is lit up in the evening.
- Nearby: Shukkei-en Garden.
Questions
Is Hiroshima Castle's keep open?
No, it has been closed since March 2026; you can only see it from outside.
How much is entry?
The Ninomaru and park are free.
What are the Ninomaru hours?
9:00–16:30 from October to March, 9:00–17:30 from April to September.
Why was it closed?
Because of worn concrete and equipment, according to the official site.
Who built the castle?
Mori Terumoto, from 1589.
How do I get there?
Tram to Kamiyacho-nishi, then 15 minutes on foot.
How long do you need?
45 minutes to an hour.
What's nearby?
Shukkei-en Garden, 10 minutes on foot.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Castle official site (rijo-castle.jp) — keep closure in March 2026, Ninomaru hours and closing days, free entry, boat (checked 09.11.2026)
- English Wikipedia: Hiroshima Castle — other name, 1958 reconstruction, 1994 Ninomaru
- Travel guides — access (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q41977 — coordinates
