Iwakuni Castle, Japanese castle in Iwakuni, Japan.
Iwakuni Castle is a four-story structure built with reinforced concrete and topped with black tile roofing in traditional Kara-zukuri style. It sits on Mount Yokoyama and offers views of the surrounding landscape and the famous Kintai Bridge below.
The original was built in 1608 by Kikkawa Hiroie but dismantled just 7 years later under the Tokugawa shogunate's policy limiting each province to one castle. The present structure was reconstructed in 1962.
The exhibits inside display samurai armor and swords that reflect the warrior traditions which shaped this region. You get a sense of the military heritage that once defined Iwakuni and its role in feudal Japan.
You can reach the castle by ropeway from the base of the mountain, a short ride accessible to most visitors. Comfortable shoes are helpful since there are paths to walk around the grounds.
The current building is positioned about 50 meters south of where the original stood, deliberately placed so it remains visible from the iconic Kintai Bridge far below. This positioning connects the castle visually with the city's most celebrated landmark.
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