Fukuyama Castle

Fukuyama Castle (福山城, Fukuyamajō), located in Marunouchi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is one of the renowned castles built during the Edo period. Also known as Hisamatsu Castle and Ichiyō Castle, it has been designated a National Historic Site and is listed among the “Top 100 Japanese Castles.” It is regarded as a representative structure of the mature stage of Japanese early modern castles. From 2020 to 2022, large-scale restoration work was carried out in celebration of the castle’s 400th anniversary.

Completed in 1622 (Genna 8), Fukuyama Castle was one of the few large-scale castles authorized for new construction after the One Castle Per Province decree, making it the last example of newly built early modern castles. Serving as the administrative headquarters and residence of the lords of the Bingo Fukuyama Domain, the castle was a ring-style hirayamajiro (hilltop-flatland castle). It featured a double moat and a canal linking directly to the Seto Inland Sea, giving it characteristics of a “sea castle.” At its peak, Fukuyama Castle boasted a five-story tenshu (main keep) and seven three-story yagura (turrets), highlighting its grand scale.

After the 1873 Abolition of Castles decree, many buildings were dismantled or auctioned off. However, thanks to local petitions the following year, the tenshu, Sujigane Gate, Fushimi Yagura, O-yudono (bathhouse), and bell tower were preserved, with some even designated National Treasures. Unfortunately, during the 1945 air raid on Fukuyama, the tenshu and most buildings were destroyed by fire, leaving only the Fushimi Yagura and Sujigane Gate intact. With urban development, many other castle structures disappeared, and today only portions of the stone walls of the honmaru (main bailey) and ninomaru (second bailey) remain.

The present tenshu, Tsukimi Yagura (moon-viewing turret), and O-yudono were rebuilt in 1966 using reinforced concrete. They now house the Fukuyama Castle Museum, which exhibits historical artifacts and is open to visitors. From the top floor of the tenshu, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Fukuyama City and, on clear days, the Seto Inland Sea. Unique among Japanese castles, Fukuyama Castle stands right beside JR Fukuyama Station—its keep and the surviving Fushimi Yagura can even be admired directly from the Shinkansen platform.