Hiroshima Castle, Japanese castle in Motomachi district, Hiroshima, Japan
This fortress in the Motomachi district is a flatland Japanese castle form, reconstructed as a museum using reinforced concrete after its wartime destruction. The five-story main structure rests on a heavy stone foundation and is enclosed by two water-filled moats fed by the river, separating the grounds from the rest of the city.
Mori Terumoto built the original structure between 1589 and 1599 to establish his power base in the region. The atomic bomb of 1945 destroyed all the wooden buildings completely, after which the city began reconstruction in 1958 as a historic monument.
The name translates literally as Carp Castle, referring to an older designation for this area in the river delta. Inside, several floors display armor, weapons and everyday items from the samurai era, drawing school groups and history enthusiasts to this day.
The museum opens daily except during New Year holidays and allows visitors to explore all floors, with final entry about half an hour before closing. The park surrounding the structure is freely accessible and suits a walk along the moats.
Three trees nearby – a eucalyptus, a willow and a holly – survived the 1945 blast and continue growing on the grounds today. These plants remind visitors that even after extreme destruction, life can endure.
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