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Fukuyama Castle

Travel Information

Fukuyama Castle (福山城) a hill top castle located eastern Hiroshima Pref. It was built in 1622 by Mizuno Katsunari. Fukuyama castle was the last Sengoku style castle which build in Japan. To protect Edo from the west, Ieyasu gave this land to his cousin Mizuno Katsunari. Today, it only remains the main bailey and its Ishigaki, Fushimiyagura and the gate. Current Tenshu was reconstructed in 1966.

Tourist Info.
Admission of Honmaru: Free.
Open: 6:00 to 22:00
Admission for Tenshukaku: 200 yen. Under high school, free.
Open: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
There is parking.

Access
0. at Fukuyama Station.
1. walk north (1 min.)


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Map around Fukuyama Castle

Detailed Travel Guide

Fukuyama Castle

Type: Hilltop.
Built in: 1622 by Mizuno Katsunari.
Class: reconstructed.

Fukuyama Castle is the last Sengoku style castle built in Japan. It was built in 1622 by Mizuno Katsunari. After the battle of Sekigahara, the lord of Aki and Bingo, Fukushima Masanori was abandoned, and Mizuno Katsunari, the cousin of Ieyasu, became the lord of Bingo to protect Edo from western Daimyo. It was only 100,000 Koku, but Fukuyama castle was very huge castle for that small amount of Koku. Mizuno clan was finished at the 5th lord. After that, Abe clan became the lord of this land.

Tenshukaku
The original Tenshukaku was burned down during WWII. Current Tenshukaku was reconstructed in 1966. The image of the castle is completely different from original Tenshu. Original Tenshukaku was 5 layers 6 stories high including basement floor. The technology of Japanese architecture was very high at this moment, and this castle was the cutting edge at this time. The basement of Tenshukaku is very small, but top floor is very wide unlike other castles.

Fushimi Yagura
Fushimiyagura was removed from Fushimi castle. It is the oldest Yagura in Japan. The size of this Yagurai is 15m wide and 3 stories high. It is bigger than some of small Tenshukaku. This Yagura was built in 1601 by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Kintetsu Gomon Gate
... is another remaining building of Fukuyama Castle. Both Fushimiyagura and Kintetsu Gomon Gate are registered as the national important cultural assets.