Iwakuni-jō

Western Honshū


The original Iwakuni-jō was built by Hiroie, the first of the Kikkawa lords, between 1603 and 1608. Just seven years later, the Tokugawa shogunate passed a law limiting the number of castles daimyō were allowed to build, and the castle at Iwakuni was demolished. It was rebuilt not far from its original setting in 1960. Inside there is a small museum of samurai swords and armour, and good views from the hilltop setting.

You can get to the castle by cable car (one-way/return ¥320/550; combination return ticket including castle and bridge ¥940; every 20 minutes), or walk up among greenery and bird life on a pathway from the west side of the park. The steep walk takes about 45 minutes.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Western Honshū attractions

1. White Snake Viewing Facility

0.31 MILES

Reptile enthusiasts, or those with kids in tow, might want to pop into this small viewing facility, where several of the bizarre albino snakes unique to…

2. Mekata Family Residence

0.33 MILES

Located in Kikkō-kōen is this former home of a middle-ranking samurai family from the mid-Edo period. You cannot enter the buildings, but you can walk…

3. Kikkō-kōen

0.43 MILES

What remains of the old samurai quarter in Iwakuni now forms pleasant Kikkō-kōen, accessed via Kintai-kyō bridge. Within the park are old residences, a…

4. Kintai-kyō

0.59 MILES

Iwakuni's chief claim to fame is this graceful bridge, built in 1673 during the rule of feudal lord Kikkawa Hiroyoshi. It has been restored several times…

5. Honke Matsugane

0.68 MILES

Both a tourist information office and a cultural experience, inside a traditional Japanese house dating from 1850 near the bridge entrance. The elegant…

6. Daishō-in

11.52 MILES

Just south of town at the foot of Misen, Daishō-in is a worthwhile stopping point on the way up or down the mountain. This Shingon temple is crowded with…

7. Tahō-tō

11.56 MILES

South of Itsukushima-jinja, stone steps (before you reach Miyajima History & Folklore Museum) lead up from the road to this picturesque pagoda. There's a…

8. Misen & Ropeway

11.57 MILES

Covered with primeval forest, the sacred, peaceful Misen is Miyajima's highest mountain (530m), and its ascent is the island's finest walk – especially in…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "japan/western-honshu/iwakuni/attractions/iwakuni-jo/a/poi-sig/1231962/1323338",
      "destination": "Western-Honshū",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Japan",
      "region": "Western-Honshū",
      "position": "superzone"
    }