{"id":899,"date":"2026-10-04T12:43:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T12:43:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/?p=899"},"modified":"2026-10-04T13:05:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T13:05:12","slug":"073-hiroshimajo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/en\/073-hiroshimajo\/","title":{"rendered":"[100 Castles No.073] Hiroshima Castle After the Keep Closure: Stamp Location, Time Needed &#038; Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We visited Hiroshima Castle (Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture) with our 8-year-old son during Japan&#8217;s Silver Week holidays in September 2026. <strong>Hiroshima Castle&#8217;s keep closed on March 22, 2026<\/strong>, so you can&#8217;t go inside. Even so, you can enjoy the free reconstructed buildings of the Ninomaru (second bailey), the wide moat and stone walls, and the exterior of the keep. In short: <strong>we spent about 45 minutes<\/strong>. <strong>The Japan&#8217;s Top 100 Castles stamp was right in front of the keep<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key points (as of September 2026)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Keep<\/strong>: closed on March 22, 2026. You can&#8217;t go inside (you can see the exterior)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>New exhibition facility<\/strong>: the keep&#8217;s collections are scheduled to move to the \u201cHiroshima Castle Sannomaru History Museum\u201d (planned to open in 2027)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stamp<\/strong>: the Top 100 Castles stamp was right in front of the keep<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Time needed<\/strong>: our actual stay was about 45 minutes (Ninomaru, keep exterior and around the moat)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fees<\/strong>: the Ninomaru is free. April\u2013September 9:00\u201317:30, October\u2013March 9:00\u201316:30<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Access<\/strong>: about a 15-minute walk from the \u201cKamiya-cho-higashi\u201d streetcar stop<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Basic information before you go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Castle (number)<\/th><td>Hiroshima Castle (Japan&#8217;s Top 100 Castles No. 73)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Nickname \/ location<\/th><td>Rij\u014d (\u201cCarp Castle\u201d) \/ Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Builder \/ year<\/th><td>M\u014dri Terumoto \/ construction began in 1589<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Main highlights<\/th><td>Keep (exterior only), Ninomaru&#8217;s Omote-gomon Gate, Hira-yagura, Tamon-yagura and Taiko-yagura turrets (reconstructed, free to enter), water moat, stone walls, Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Stamp location<\/th><td>Right in front of the keep (when we visited in September 2026)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Time needed<\/th><td>Our actual stay: about 45 minutes (normal pace)<\/td><\/tr><tr><th>Fees \/ opening hours<\/th><td>The Ninomaru is free. April\u2013September 9:00\u201317:30, October\u2013March 9:00\u201316:30 (as of September 2026)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Hiroshima Castle&#8217;s keep is closed: what can you see now?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Due to aging and other reasons, Hiroshima Castle&#8217;s keep <strong>closed on March 22, 2026<\/strong>. The materials inside the keep are scheduled to move to the \u201cHiroshima Castle Sannomaru History Museum,\u201d planned to open in 2027. We had been looking forward to going inside the keep, so honestly we were quite disappointed. When we visited, scaffolding had been set up near the top of the keep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, it&#8217;s well worth a visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reconstructed Ninomaru buildings<\/strong>: the Omote-gomon Gate, Hira-yagura, Tamon-yagura and Taiko-yagura are free to enter. You can see traditional wooden architecture up close, such as thick pine beams and loopholes (sama)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exterior of the keep<\/strong>: seen between the green trees, the keep looks great against a blue sky<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Moat and stone walls<\/strong>: the very wide water moat and stone walls are impressive, and the moat is full of colorful carp<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Top 100 Castles stamp<\/strong>: we pressed it right in front of the keep<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-tenshu-1024x769.webp\" alt=\"Hiroshima Castle's keep against a blue sky\" class=\"wp-image-1702\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-tenshu-1024x769.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-tenshu-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-tenshu-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-tenshu-1536x1153.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-tenshu.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taikoyagura-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"The Taiko-yagura turret and water moat at Hiroshima Castle's Ninomaru\" class=\"wp-image-1710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taikoyagura-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taikoyagura-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taikoyagura-768x1023.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taikoyagura-1153x1536.webp 1153w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taikoyagura.webp 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Taiko-yagura turret of the Ninomaru and the wide moat. Even without going inside the keep, the scenery of stone walls, turrets and moat gives you plenty of castle atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check the official Hiroshima Castle website for the latest opening information before you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. How long does Hiroshima Castle take?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After arriving at Hiroshima Station and stopping by the Pok\u00e9mon Center, we headed to Hiroshima Castle before lunch. Seeing the Ninomaru buildings, the keep&#8217;s exterior and the area around the moat took <strong>about 45 minutes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shiseki-hi-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"Monument of the Hiroshima Castle historic site\" class=\"wp-image-1701\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shiseki-hi-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shiseki-hi-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shiseki-hi-768x1023.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shiseki-hi-1153x1536.webp 1153w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shiseki-hi.webp 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Quick visit (about 30 minutes)<\/strong>: Ninomaru \u2192 stamp in front of the keep \u2192 view the exterior<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Normal (about 45 minutes to 1 hour)<\/strong>: go inside the Ninomaru buildings, then stroll around the moat and Gokoku Shrine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If you do the puzzle game (extra time)<\/strong>: get the walking puzzle kit \u201cThe Mystery of the Old Document Sleeping in Carp Castle\u201d at the Ninomaru museum shop before you start<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Access and parking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From Hiroshima Station, take the streetcar to \u201cKamiya-cho-higashi\u201d and walk about 15 minutes. It&#8217;s close to the Atomic Bomb Dome and the downtown area, so it&#8217;s an easy castle to visit while sightseeing in the city. If you come by car, use one of the paid parking lots nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our hotel that day was in the Atomic Bomb Dome direction, so we walked around with our suitcases. If you have a lot of luggage, use the coin lockers at Hiroshima Station to get around more easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Highlights and our visit (with a look at the castle&#8217;s design)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dad&#8217;s take: why it&#8217;s called \u201cCarp Castle\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hiroshima Castle was built by M\u014dri Terumoto on the delta of Hiroshima, and its nickname is \u201cRij\u014d\u201d (Carp Castle). When you peer into the moat, true to the name, lots of colorful carp swim up to you. There&#8217;s even a bronze carp statue on the grounds \u2014 Hiroshima really is a carp city. Come to think of it, at Pok\u00e9mon Center Hiroshima at the station, we were greeted at the entrance by a bright red Gyarados and Pikachu. Magikarp climbs a waterfall and evolves into Gyarados. For a carp city like Hiroshima, the local favorite Pok\u00e9mon has to be Magikarp and Gyarados (lol).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-pokecen-gyarados-1024x769.webp\" alt=\"A red Gyarados and Pikachu riding Magikarp at Pok\u00e9mon Center Hiroshima\" class=\"wp-image-1700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-pokecen-gyarados-1024x769.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-pokecen-gyarados-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-pokecen-gyarados-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-pokecen-gyarados-1536x1153.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-pokecen-gyarados.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-koi-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"Colorful carp gathering in the moat of Hiroshima Castle\" class=\"wp-image-1705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-koi-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-koi-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-koi-768x1023.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-koi-1153x1536.webp 1153w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-koi.webp 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So why is Hiroshima Castle called \u201cCarp Castle\u201d? There are several theories: that the area around the castle was once called \u201cKoi-ura\u201d (koi also means carp), that the moat had many carp, or that the black keep looked like a carp. The name of the professional baseball team, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, is also said to come from this Carp Castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"991\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shori-no-zo-v2-1024x991.webp\" alt=\"The \u201cRising Carp\u201d statue at Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine\" class=\"wp-image-1729\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shori-no-zo-v2-1024x991.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shori-no-zo-v2-300x290.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shori-no-zo-v2-768x743.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shori-no-zo-v2-1536x1486.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-shori-no-zo-v2.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine, on the castle grounds, has a \u201cRising Carp\u201d statue. It depicts a carp climbing a waterfall, and based on the legend of the \u201cDragon Gate\u201d \u2014 a carp that climbs the waterfall becomes a dragon \u2014 it carries wishes for good fortune and success in life. Magikarp evolving into Gyarados is also said to be inspired by this \u201ccarp climbing the waterfall\u201d legend. So there really is a reason Hiroshima loves carp! At the foot of the statue, our Charizard posed for a photo too (lol).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s a flatland castle surrounded by a wide water moat and stone walls. In the reconstructed Ninomaru buildings, you can see up close both the defensive features, such as loopholes for aiming at enemies, and the beauty of the architecture, such as massive pine beams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taiko-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"A large drum inside the Taiko-yagura turret\" class=\"wp-image-1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taiko-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taiko-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taiko-768x1023.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taiko-1153x1536.webp 1153w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-taiko.webp 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A large drum sits inside the Taiko-yagura (drum turret). True to its name, it is said to have been the turret where drums were beaten to announce the time and other signals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-takamado-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"A sign explaining the high windows of the Taiko-yagura turret\" class=\"wp-image-1708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-takamado-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-takamado-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-takamado-768x1023.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-takamado-1153x1536.webp 1153w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-takamado.webp 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the sign, old photographs show that the Tamon-yagura and Taiko-yagura had \u201chigh windows\u201d located close to the roof. One theory is that they were used to let out smoke from firing matchlock guns indoors, and among surviving castles, such windows are extremely rare \u2014 found only on places like the keep of Himeji Castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our son peeked out of the turret windows and looked down at the moat, feeling just like a soldier guarding the castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get the puzzle kit \u201cfirst\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the Ninomaru museum shop, you can get a kit for a puzzle game that takes you around the castle grounds. We wanted to try it, but we went around in the wrong order, and going back would have been tough, so we skipped it this time. If you want to do it, we recommend picking it up at the Ninomaru before you start exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine is also on the castle grounds, and you can walk through its impressive torii gate. It&#8217;s a popular walking route for locals and had a relaxed atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Travel side story: the whole city turns red for the \u201cCarp vs. Giants\u201d game<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Walking through the city after leaving the castle, we passed lots of Carp fans in their uniforms. That day there happened to be a Carp vs. Giants day game at Mazda Stadium, and even the streetcars and the area around the station were dyed red. We really felt how popular the Carp, the city&#8217;s hometown team, is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to find the stamp<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-stamp-1024x769.webp\" alt=\"Our son pressing the Japan's Top 100 Castles stamp in front of the keep\" class=\"wp-image-1703\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-stamp-1024x769.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-stamp-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-stamp-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-stamp-1536x1153.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-stamp.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Top 100 Castles stamp was right in front of the keep (when we visited in September 2026). Even with the keep closed, you can still get the stamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Lunch nearby and tips for families<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For lunch, we had Onomichi ramen near the soccer stadium (EDION Peace Wing Hiroshima). It&#8217;s a rich bowl of soy-sauce soup topped with large bits of pork back fat. Afterwards, we walked to the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki on the griddle\" class=\"wp-image-1711\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki-768x1023.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki-1153x1536.webp 1153w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki.webp 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For dinner, we had Hiroshima&#8217;s specialty, okonomiyaki. At \u201cTakaya,\u201d we ate Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki with noodles straight off the hot griddle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki-takaya-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"The sign of the okonomiyaki restaurant \u201cTakaya\u201d\" class=\"wp-image-1712\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki-takaya-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki-takaya-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki-takaya-768x1023.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki-takaya-1153x1536.webp 1153w, https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshima-okonomiyaki-takaya.webp 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ninomaru buildings are free, so kids can pop in easily<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kids love watching the carp in the moat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get the puzzle kit before you start exploring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Where to stay if you&#8217;re combining it with other sights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We stayed at the Hilton Hiroshima that night. With an indoor pool and sauna, and live music at the bar in the evening, it&#8217;s a very satisfying hotel for both families and adults.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"p-blogParts post_content\" data-partsID=\"1472\"><div class=\"hotel-button-container\" style=\"display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 12px; justify-content: center; margin: 25px 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agoda.com\/partners\/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&#038;cid=1962585&#038;hid=33656022\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" style=\"flex: 1 1 200px; max-width: 280px; min-width: 150px; padding: 15px 12px; background-color: #20274d; color: #ffffff; text-decoration: none; border-radius: 8px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.3; box-shadow: 0 3px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.12); transition: transform 0.2s, opacity 0.2s;\" onmouseover=\"this.style.opacity='0.88'; this.style.transform='translateY(-2px)';\" onmouseout=\"this.style.opacity='1'; this.style.transform='translateY(0)';\">Book on Agoda<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. Can I go inside Hiroshima Castle&#8217;s keep?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. The keep closed on March 22, 2026. Its collections are scheduled to move to the \u201cHiroshima Castle Sannomaru History Museum,\u201d planned to open in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. Can I get the stamp even though the keep is closed?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. When we visited in September 2026, the stamp was right in front of the keep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. How long does Hiroshima Castle take?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About 45 minutes for the Ninomaru, the keep&#8217;s exterior and the area around the moat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. Is there an admission fee?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Ninomaru is free. Open 9:00\u201317:30 from April to September and 9:00\u201316:30 from October to March (as of September 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. How do I get there from Hiroshima Station?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take the streetcar to \u201cKamiya-cho-higashi\u201d and walk about 15 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Summary &#038; nearby sights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although the keep is closed, you can still enjoy Hiroshima Castle&#8217;s free reconstructed Ninomaru buildings, the wide moat and its carp, and the keep&#8217;s exterior. The stamp is right in front of the keep, and the visit takes about 45 minutes. We recommend combining it with the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next day we headed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/en\/miyajima-itsukushima\/\">Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine<\/a>. The whole trip is summarized in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/en\/2026kyushu\/\">5-day Kyushu &#038; Hiroshima itinerary with kids<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hiroshima Castle (Japan&#8217;s Top 100 Castles No. 73) closed its keep on March 22, 2026, but the free reconstructed Ninomaru buildings and the moat are still open, and we got the Top 100 Castles stamp right in front of the keep. About 45 minutes; access and highlights from a family&#8217;s point of view.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"swell_btn_cv_data":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/073-hiroshimajo\/","_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":true},"categories":[4],"tags":[19],"class_list":["post-899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-castle","tag-2026kyushu","en-US"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phc6Nz-ev","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/hiroshimajo-tenshu.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/899","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=899"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/899\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1750,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/899\/revisions\/1750"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}