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Hiroshima · Fukuyama

Fukuyama Castle

福山城

Fukuyama, Hiroshima

CastleHilltop castle (hirayamajiro)Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 71

What makes this castle distinctive

Walk around to the north side, and the white keep turns into a wall of black iron.

Why?

Only the north face of Fukuyama Castle's keep was once covered in iron plates from wall to wall. The north was the castle's back side and its weak point in the layout, and the plating is thought to have been built to guard it. When the keep was rebuilt in 1966 that side was plain white, but a 2022 renovation brought the black iron look back.^[1][20][22]

Three things not to miss

The iron-clad north face of the keep

Where: The north side of the keep. Walk around the keep from the plaza in front of it (the east stairway route also lets you loop around to the north).
What to look at: The rows of long, narrow iron plates covering the wall, the heads of the rivets that hold them, and the way the plates overlap.
Why it's interesting: Iron plates on gates are found at castles across Japan, but Fukuyama City says Fukuyama is the only castle that covered an entire wall of its keep in iron. For the 2022 renovation, researchers studied old photographs, a surviving original plate donated to the city, and examples from other castles to recreate the surface texture, the rivet heads and how the plates overlap. For safety, modern materials and methods were used.^{[1][20][22][9]}
Can you see it?: Visible from outsideVisible from outside at any time the grounds are open; no museum ticket needed.

Fushimi Yagura, a turret brought from Fushimi Castle

Where: The southwest corner of the main enclosure (honmaru). It faces you as you climb the south stairway route from the station's north exit.
What to look at: The three-story white turret (yagura) and the way it sits on top of the stone wall.
Why it's interesting: This turret originally stood in the Matsunomaru section of Fushimi Castle in Kyoto, and the second shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, had it moved to Fukuyama. During repairs in 1954, an inscription reading "east turret of Matsunomaru" was found on a second-floor beam, confirming where it came from. It is an original Edo-period building and a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.^[2][9]
Can you see it?: Partly visibleExterior only. The interior is closed, except usually on November 3 (Culture Day); check Fukuyama City's Culture Promotion Division for how to apply.

Sujigane Gomon, the gate reinforced with iron bands

Where: The main gate of the honmaru, which you pass through after Fushimi Yagura on the south stairway route.
What to look at: The dozens of iron bands (sujigane) fixed with iron rivets to the corners of the pillars and to the big doors.
Why it's interesting: The gate is named after these iron bands. Tradition says it was also moved from Fushimi Castle, and like Fushimi Yagura it is an original Edo-period structure and an Important Cultural Property. Seen together with the iron north face of the keep, it shows how much this castle relied on iron for defense.^[3][9]
Can you see it?: Visible from outsideYou can walk through the gate and see the iron bands up close. The interior of the upper structure is closed.

At a glance for visitors

Nearest station: 5 min walk from JR Fukuyama Station, North Exit (Fukuyama Castle Exit)
Climb: Some climbing
Time neededEditors' estimate: About 45 minutes for the grounds alone; allow 1.5–2 hours if you also visit the museum.
Admission: Adults 500 yen; groups of 20+ and other discounts 400 yen; free for high school students and younger. Prices differ during special exhibitions.
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Access: Open to visitors
The castle grounds (Fukuyama Castle Park) are free to walk around. Entry to the keep (Fukuyama Castle Museum) requires a ticket. The interiors of Fushimi Yagura, Sujigane Gomon and the bell turret are closed. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is next to the ticket machine outside the management office (6:00–22:00) and in the museum shop inside the keep (ticket required).

Checked: 2026-10-03

View on map Open in Google Maps Fukuyama Castle Museum (official site)Fukuyama Castle Museum (English)

The story of this castle

Scholarly interpretation

Why here?

In 1619, Mizuno Katsunari landed at Tomonoura by sea, toured his new territory, and chose a low hill called Jokojiyama as the site for his castle. The likely reason: the Sanyo-do highway ran just north of the hill, and to the south lay the Seto Inland Sea, so the spot controlled both land and sea routes.^[1]

Historical record

Built by Ieyasu's cousin

The castle was built by Mizuno Katsunari, a warlord who was a cousin of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. In 1619 he was given a domain (han) worth 100,000 koku of rice in Bingo and Bitchu provinces and moved here from Koriyama in today's Nara Prefecture. Construction began in 1620 and finished in 1622. The stone for the walls was shipped from Kitagijima and Shiraishijima, islands in the Seto Inland Sea that Mizuno then controlled. Katsunari also gave the area its name, Fukuyama.^[1][14][21]

Scholarly interpretation

A watchtower over western Japan

At the time, the shogunate's "one province, one castle" rule strictly limited the building of new castles. Permission to build a full-scale castle here was unusual, which shows how important the shogunate considered Fukuyama as a base for keeping watch over the powerful daimyo (feudal lords) of western Japan.^[1][21]

Scholarly interpretation

A keep clad in iron on one side

The keep (tenshu) was a five-tiered tower joined to a smaller keep. Only its north face was covered from the first to the fourth floor in iron plates. The north was the castle's back side and a weak point in its layout, and the plating is thought to have been meant to guard it; Fukuyama City says it was designed to withstand cannon fire. A document from 1698, while the Mizuno family still ruled, confirms the iron plates were already in place.^{[1][20][21][22]}

Historical record

The keep burned; a gate and a turret survived

After the Meiji Restoration of 1868 the castle lost its role, but local people paid to repair the keep, and in 1931 it was named a National Treasure. Then, on August 8, 1945, incendiary bombs hit it during the air raid on Fukuyama and it burned down, along with the Oyudono bathhouse. Fushimi Yagura and Sujigane Gomon survived, and they still stand today as original Edo-period buildings.^[1][2][3][5]

Historical record

Rebuilt in 1966, restored in 2022

Today's keep was rebuilt in 1966 with donations from local companies and residents, but the iron north face was not recreated; that side was simply painted white. For the castle's 400th anniversary, the 2020–2022 "Reiwa Great Renovation" restored the exterior to its earlier look: the iron-plated north face, the shape of the top-floor windows, and the loopholes for guns and arrows. The museum inside also got its first major makeover since 1966, adding an elevator and video displays.^[1][22][16]

People of this castle

Builder of the castle and first lord of the Fukuyama domain

Mizuno Katsunari

水野勝成

1564–1651

A warlord and cousin of Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1619 he became daimyo of a 100,000-koku domain in Bingo, built Fukuyama Castle and its town, and served as the first lord of the Fukuyama domain.

Second shogun, who had a Fushimi Castle turret moved to Fukuyama

Tokugawa Hidetada

徳川秀忠

1579–1632

The second shogun of the Edo (Tokugawa) shogunate. When Fukuyama Castle was built, he had a turret from the Matsunomaru section of Fushimi Castle in Kyoto moved to Fukuyama; it survives today as Fushimi Yagura.

First Abe-family lord of Fukuyama

Abe Masakuni

阿部正邦

1658–1715

A daimyo who moved from Utsunomiya to Fukuyama in 1710. From then until the Meiji era, the Abe family ruled the Fukuyama domain.

Fukuyama lord and chief senior councilor who led Japan's opening to the world

Abe Masahiro

阿部正弘

1819–1857

Lord of Fukuyama who became a senior councilor (roju) of the shogunate at 25 and its chief councilor soon after. He led the shogunate's response from Commodore Perry's arrival in 1853 to the 1854 Treaty of Kanagawa that opened Japan to the United States.

Lord

Matsudaira clan

松平氏

Lord

Mizuno clan

水野氏

Timeline

1619
Mizuno Katsunari is given a 100,000-koku domain in Bingo^[1][21]
1622
Fukuyama Castle is completed^[1][21]
1710
Abe Masakuni arrives; the Abe family rules until the end of the shogunate^[15]
1931
The keep is designated a National Treasure^[1]
1945
The keep burns in the August 8 air raid on Fukuyama^[1]
1966
The keep, Tsukimi Yagura and Oyudono are rebuilt^[1][4][5]
2022
The "Reiwa Great Renovation" restores the iron north face and other exterior details^[1][22]

Buildings and remains

The keep today

Exterior restored

Rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1966. The 2020–2022 renovation restored the iron-plated north face, the top-floor windows and the loopholes to their historic exterior appearance, in the museum's words.

The site today

The main enclosure is now Fukuyama Castle Park, and the keep houses the Fukuyama Castle Museum. Art and literature museums surround the castle, and JR Fukuyama Station sits on part of the former outer enclosure.

Main buildings

Exterior restored

Keep (tenshu)

Burned in 1945, rebuilt in 1966, exterior details including the iron north face restored in 2022. Now the Fukuyama Castle Museum.^[1]

OriginalImportant Cultural Property

Fushimi Yagura (turret)

Moved from Fushimi Castle. Named a National Treasure in 1933 and reclassified as an Important Cultural Property under the 1950 law. Interior usually closed (opened most years on November 3).^[2]

OriginalImportant Cultural Property

Sujigane Gomon (gate)

Main gate of the honmaru, said to have been moved from Fushimi Castle. Interior closed.^[3]

OriginalFukuyama City Important Cultural Property

Kane Yagura (bell turret)

Heavily repaired in 1979 after falling into disrepair. Its bell still rings four times a day. Interior closed.^[7]

Exterior restored

Tsukimi Yagura (moon-viewing turret)

Torn down in the early Meiji era and rebuilt to its outward appearance in 1966. Used as a rental hall.^[4]

Exterior restored

Oyudono (lord's bathhouse)

The lord's steam bathhouse. Named a National Treasure in 1933, lost in 1945, and rebuilt to its outward appearance in 1966.^[5]

Exterior restored

Kagami Yagura (archives)

Torn down in the early Meiji era and rebuilt in 1973. Now a free archive displaying documents of the Fukuyama domain.^[6]

Key facts

Type: Castle
Setting: Hilltop castle (hirayamajiro)built on a low hill rising from the plainEditorial article
Period: Early modern (1570s–1871)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu): Exterior restoredthe outside follows historical records; the inside is a modern building, often a museumEditorial article
Built by: Mizuno KatsunariJapan Castle Foundation
Built: 1622Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords: Matsudaira clan, Mizuno clanJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned: 1874Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see: Turrets or turret bases, Gates, Stone walls, Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), Keep base (tenshudai)Editorial article
Designation: National Historic Site (Fukuyama Castle ruins) (1964); Important Cultural Properties (Fushimi Yagura and Sujigane Gomon) (1950)Editorial article
Selection: Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 71Japan Castle Foundation

Visiting

Access

Open to visitors

The castle grounds (Fukuyama Castle Park) are free to walk around. Entry to the keep (Fukuyama Castle Museum) requires a ticket. The interiors of Fushimi Yagura, Sujigane Gomon and the bell turret are closed. The Japan 100 Castles stamp is next to the ticket machine outside the management office (6:00–22:00) and in the museum shop inside the keep (ticket required).

Address

1-8 Marunouchi, Fukuyama, Hiroshima 720-0061^[8][9]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Nearest stations and how to get there

JR Fukuyama Station, North Exit (Fukuyama Castle Exit)JR Sanyo Shinkansen, Sanyo Line, Fukuen Line

about 5 min walk · Some climbing

The castle is right in front of the North Exit. The south route has steep steps and takes you past Fushimi Yagura and through Sujigane Gomon. The east route has gentler steps and lets you loop around to the north side. The north route has no steps but a steep slope.^[9][24][32]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Hours and admission

Fukuyama Castle Museum (in the keep)

Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (or the next day if Monday is a national holiday), December 28–31, and occasional closures for exhibition changes
Admission: Adults 500 yen; groups of 20+ and other discounts 400 yen; free for high school students and younger. Prices differ during special exhibitions.^{[8][16][17][18][19]}

Checked: 2026-10-03

Kagami Yagura Archives

Hours: Same days as the Fukuyama Castle Museum
Closed: Same as the Fukuyama Castle Museum
Admission: Free^[6]

Checked: 2026-10-03

By car / parking

Fukuyama Castle Museum parking: 29 cars (paid); 5 bus spaces by reservation. The Museum of Literature (30 spaces) and Museum of Art (68 spaces) lots are also paid. Visiting one of the Culture Zone facilities gives you one hour free.^[9]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Grounds opening hours

Not confirmedChecked: 2026-10-03

Time neededEditors' estimate

About 45 minutes for the grounds alone; allow 1.5–2 hours if you also visit the museum.

Steps, slopes and footing

Reaching the main enclosure from the station means climbing either steps or a slope: steep steps on the south side, gentler steps on the east, and a steep step-free slope on the north.^[9]

Wheelchairs and strollers

For wheelchairs and strollers, the museum recommends the step-free north route, though it is steep. If the slope is difficult, it suggests a paid Green Slow Mobility electric shuttle or a taxi from the station to the plaza in front of the keep. Ramps lead from the plaza up to the keep's base and on to the museum entrance. Inside are two stair lifts, one platform lift, and an 11-person elevator from the basement to the top (5th) floor. Wheelchair users arriving by car should call the management office in advance (084-922-2117).^[9][10]Checked: 2026-10-03

Toilets and rest

There are public toilets in Fukuyama Castle Park (exact locations not listed officially).^[34]

English signs / audio guide

The official website has English pages on the keep, turrets and access. However, the English "Guide" page still describes the 2022 advance-booking system, so check hours and prices on the Japanese page. English signage and audio guides inside the museum are not confirmed.^[31][8]

Seasons

In spring about 300 cherry trees bloom around the castle. The keep, turrets and stone walls are lit up at night.^[24][22]

Photography

Fukuyama City generally does not claim copyright over the keep, Tsukimi Yagura and other buildings it manages, so you may use your own photos freely. Commercial shoots, or shoots that temporarily occupy part of the park, need permission from the city's Parks and Green Spaces Division. Copies of the 1977 statues of Mizuno Katsunari and Abe Masahiro may not be made for sale. Photo rules inside the museum are not confirmed.^[13]

Works, closures and restrictions

Autumn special exhibition "Fukuyama Sword Stories" runs October 3 – November 23, 2026. During this period admission is 700 yen for adults (560 yen for groups of 20+); free for high school students and younger, among others. Open on Monday holidays October 12 and November 23; closed Tuesday October 13. Open until 19:00 on Saturday October 10 (last entry 18:30). Closed November 25–26 for exhibition changes.^{[12][11][33][30]}Checked: 2026-10-03

Suggested routes

45 minutes from the station: iron and stone walls 45 min

Leave JR Fukuyama Station by the North Exit and take the south stairway route
Look up at Fushimi Yagura, an original Edo-period turret
Pass through Sujigane Gomon and see the iron bands on its doors up close
From the plaza in the main enclosure, take in the south face of the keep
Walk around the keep to the north side to see the black iron-plated wall
Return to the station via the gentler east stairway route

Times are an editorial estimate. Add 45–60 minutes if you go into the museum. The route is short enough to fit between trains.

Half day: the castle and the Culture Zone 210 min

Climb the south stairway past Fushimi Yagura and Sujigane Gomon into the main enclosure
Explore the Fukuyama Castle Museum's displays on the castle and domain, then look out over the city from the top floor
Walk around to the north side of the keep to see the iron-plated wall
Visit the free Kagami Yagura Archives for documents from the Fukuyama domain
View the keep across the garden of Fukuju Kaikan
Head west of the castle to the Fukuyama Museum of Art and the Hiroshima Prefectural Museum of History (about 400 m west of the station's North Exit)
If time allows, stop at the Fukuyama Museum of Literature (8 minutes' walk from the North Exit)

Times are an editorial estimate. The castle museum, art museum and literature museum all close on Mondays (or the next day after a holiday), so avoid Mondays to see everything.

Around the castle

Museum

Fukuyama Museum of Art

City art museum just west of the castle, about 400 m west of the station's North Exit. Open 9:30–17:00; closed Mondays (or the next day after a holiday).^[25]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Museum

Hiroshima Prefectural Museum of History (Kusado Sengen Museum)

Prefectural history museum with a display on Kusado Sengen, the remains of a medieval town excavated in Fukuyama. It stands in the same Nishimachi area as the art museum.^[27]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Museum

Fukuyama Museum of Literature

City literature museum just northwest of the castle, 8 minutes' walk from the North Exit. Open 9:30–17:00; closed Mondays (or the next day after a holiday).^[26]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Garden

Fukuju Kaikan

Early Showa-era residence and tea houses northeast of the keep, all registered as Tangible Cultural Properties. Its garden frames a view of the keep, and the Western-style wing has a café on the ground floor.^[29]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Castle town

Tomonoura

The Seto Inland Sea port town where Mizuno Katsunari first landed. It is too far to walk; take the Tomotetsu Bus Tomo Line from bus stop 5 in front of Fukuyama Station (check the timetable for travel time).^[28][1]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Editors' guide

An editorial guide based on sources and confirmed information — not a first-hand visit report.

Who will enjoy it

Good for travelers with a short gap between bullet trains, anyone who enjoys spotting a castle's defensive tricks, and those curious about how a castle lost in the war got its look back. At five minutes from the station, it is also an easy first castle.

What makes it interesting

The highlight is the keep's north face. Compare the white keep seen from the south with the black iron wall on the north, and it hardly looks like the same building. Then look at Fushimi Yagura and Sujigane Gomon, which survive from the Edo period, to see the difference between original and rebuilt structures.

Before you go

The keep burned in 1945; today's building is a 1966 reconstruction with exterior details restored in 2022. Reaching the main enclosure involves steps or a slope. The museum closes on Mondays and occasionally for exhibition changes, so check the notices on the official website before you go.

Ways to enjoy it

The keep and turrets are visible from the Shinkansen platforms, so look for the castle before you even leave the station. Enter from the south and walk around to the north to watch the keep change from white to black. Inside the museum, hands-on corners include a matchlock gun challenge based on a record of Mizuno Katsunari, at 87, hitting a target about 36 m away.

Photos

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Open questions

As for the purpose of the iron plates, the museum says they defended the castle's rear, and the city describes them as protecting the north, a weak point in the layout, against cannon fire. Other explanations also exist.
The 1966 keep differed from the original in many details, such as window shapes and positions, so opinions were split on whether it counted as a faithful restoration or a looser reconstruction. The 2022 work restored the north iron plating, top-floor windows and loopholes, but not every detail matches the pre-war keep.
Fushimi Yagura's move from Fushimi Castle is confirmed by an inscription on its beam, but the same origin for Sujigane Gomon, Tsukimi Yagura and Oyudono is based on tradition.
The claim that Fukuyama is the only castle with an entire keep wall clad in iron comes from Fukuyama City and the Fukuyama Castle Museum.
Park opening hours, photo rules inside the museum, English signage inside the museum, and travel time to Tomonoura could not be confirmed.