What to know
Iwakuni Castle (岩国城, Iwakunijō) was built in 1608 at the start of the Edo Period. Its location atop Mount Shiroyama, with the Nishiki River forming a natural moat on two sides, offered strong defensive advantages. The four-story keep overlooks the city 200 meters below.
The original castle stood for only a short time—built over five years, it was dismantled just seven years after completion by order of the shogun, likely much to the builders' frustration.
The current structure is a ferro-concrete reconstruction from 1962, which has already stood far longer than its predecessor. Inside, it displays samurai swords, armor, and other historical artifacts, along with exhibits on Kintaikyo Bridge and other famous bridges across Japan.
A ropeway provides access to the castle. The lower station is a five-minute walk from Kintaikyo Bridge, and the castle is another five-minute walk from the upper station.
Buses run from both Iwakuni Station and Shin-Iwakuni Station to the Kintaikyo bus stop. The trip takes 15 minutes and costs 300 yen from Iwakuni Station (buses every 10–20 minutes), or 15 minutes and 350 yen from Shin-Iwakuni Station (1–2 buses per hour).
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 9:00 to 16:45 (entry until 16:30); on the last weekday of most months, the ropeway does not operate until 14:00
- Closed
- Irregular closures due to ropeway maintenance, including a prolonged annual closure early in the year (January 13 to February 17, 2026)
- Admission
- 270 yen (~$1.73) (castle only)
- English name
- Original name
- Iwakuni Castle
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.