Ruins of Ninomaru of Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Castle (or "Carp Castle") was built in 1593 by Mori Terumoto. This castle has undergone many restoration works over the years and the most recent was done in 2008 when Ninomaru, one of the castle’s inner enclosures, was partially restored in its original state.

Visitors to Ninomaru can expect to see the rebuilt five-story castle tower, castle gates (otemon) and moats. In order to fully appreciate the grand scale and atmosphere of this castle from the Battle of Sekigahara, you can take a slow stroll around the remains hugging the wall. Visitors can also enjoy various reconstructions of the castle guardian dogs (Komainu) as well as the armory building and former guardhouse. History enthusiasts will enjoy the Ninomaru-south inner citadel museum that houses many artifacts and reproductions of the damaged fortifications (Yagura) and the interior of Edo period castle. It takes a bit of imagination to be able to piece together the former glory of this castle and its surroundings. In addition to being part of Hiroshima’s cultural heritage, Ninomaru also serves as a park with many sections of open areas and vegetation. Visitors can easily spend several hours here admiring the ruins, exploring the surrounding area, and getting lost in the fascinating history.