Japan: Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Castle (広島城) was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945 but has been reconstructed (in 1958) and now serves as a museum of Hiroshima history pre World War II.

Sometimes called Carp Castle (鯉城), Hiroshima Castle also had a long history and was originally constructed in the 1590s. It was built at the delta of the Otagawa river near an area called Gokamura (“five villages”). The castle and the area was renamed Hiroshima (“wide island”) but actually “Hiro” was taken from Ōe no Hiromoto and “Shima” was taken from Fukushima Motonaga. It changed hands several times after the decisive Battle of Sekigahara, and after the Meiji Restoration became a military facility (Imperial General Headquarters). During World War II, it was the headquarters of the 2nd General Army and 5th Division, and was destroyed as part of the atomic bomb blast over Hiroshima in 1945.

Originally built mainly from pine wood, the reconstruction is mostly reinforced concrete with a wooden veneer exterior. Three trees (a eucalyptus, holly and willow) on the castle grounds (near the Honmaru) survived the atomic blast and still flourishes today.

Next to Hiroshima is a small park with an interesting European looking statue and fountain of nymphs.