* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Iwakuni Castle
岩国城
Iwakuni Castle is a historic castle in Chūgoku dating from the Construction begun 1601 (Keicho 6), completed 1608 (Keicho 13), keep demolished 1615 (Genwa 1) following the One Castle per Province Edict, exterior restored 1962 (Showa 37), whose lord was Yoshikawa Hirotake.
Overview
Yoshikawa Clan's Castle Overlooking the Nishiki River
Iwakuni Castle was a mountain castle whose construction was begun in 1601 (Keicho 6) by Yoshikawa Hirotake, who was appointed lord of the western provinces following the Battle of Sekigahara (1600). Its distinctive bold layout utilized the Nishiki River, which flows through the center of Iwakuni, as a natural moat, with the tenshu positioned atop Yokoyama peak at approximately 200 meters elevation. This castle design, which maximized the local topography, symbolized the military acumen and authority of the Yoshikawa clan.
However, just seven years after its completion, Iwakuni Castle fell victim to the Tokugawa shogunate's One Castle per Province Edict (Ikoku Ichijo Rei) of 1615 (Genwa 1), forcing the demolition of the tenshu. Yoshikawa Hirotake thus endured the ironic fate of maintaining his rule as daimyo while losing the castle itself. Subsequently, samurai residences and merchant districts were developed in the castle town, and together with the Kintai Bridge (first constructed in 1673) spanning the Nishiki River, Iwakuni developed as a key passage between central and western Japan.
The current tenshu is an exterior restoration completed in 1962 (Showa 37), and the white three-story tower rising from the summit commands a majestic vista overlooking the clear waters of the Nishiki River and the Kintai Bridge. Access to the summit is provided by ropeway, and from the tenshu's upper floors, visitors can command sweeping views of Iwakuni's castle town and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
The Yoshikawa Clan and Swords—Martial Culture of the Chugoku Region
The Yoshikawa clan was a distinguished branch of the Mouri family, descended from Mouri Motoharu, the second son of Mouri Motonari, and played a central role in the Mouri family's mastery of the Chugoku region. As a martial house, the Yoshikawa possessed deep appreciation for swords, and successive lords preserved renowned blades as family treasures. When Yoshikawa Hirotake was appointed to Iwakuni following Sekigahara, the clan's hereditary sword collection was brought with him, forming the foundation of Iwakuni domain's martial culture.
In the Choshu region (Yamaguchi Prefecture), including Iwakuni, sword culture was historically nurtured through contact with the Bizen and Bitchu traditions. The Chugoku region was strongly influenced by the Bizen school, centered on Osafune, and records document smiths active in the Kamakura and Muromachi periods in the Iwakuni vicinity. In Iwakuni, under Yoshikawa rule, local swordsmiths plied their craft to meet samurai demand, employing regional iron sand in their forging.
TOUKENZA, a Japanese sword specialist based in Sendai, handles works by smiths connected to the Chugoku region, as well as pieces in the Bizen and Soshu traditions. Works featuring the robust and straightforward blade aesthetic nurtured by Choshu martial culture are highly valued as collector pieces embodying samurai aesthetics.
The Kintai Bridge and Castle Town—Swords and Structures in Iwakuni's Cultural Heritage
Inseparable from Iwakuni Castle is the renowned wooden arch bridge, the Kintai Bridge (Kintai-kyo), celebrated worldwide. Constructed in 1673 (Enpo 1) by Yoshikawa Hiroyoshi, the Kintai Bridge, with its five graceful arches mirrored in the Nishiki River, is counted among Japan's Three Most Famous Bridges. The integrated landscape of castle and bridge has remained the symbol of Iwakuni since the Edo period.
Once, samurai residences lined the bridge approaches, and warriors passed by with swords at their hips. In the castle town of Iwakuni, sword maintenance and commerce were part of daily life, and the relationship between smiths and warriors sustained the castle town's economy and culture. Today, Iwakuni houses the Yoshikawa Museum, which preserves artworks and martial equipment connected to the Yoshikawa family, displaying valuable collections of swords and armor.
Annually, the Kintai Bridge Festival and Iwakuni Festival are held in the area surrounding the bridge, with warrior processions and armored samurai reenacting the castle town's past. For sword enthusiasts, these events offer an excellent opportunity to experience the integrated martial culture of armor and sword.
Iwakuni Castle: Highlights and Visitor Guide
The typical route to Iwakuni Castle involves crossing the Nishiki River from the Kintai Bridge and taking the ropeway to the summit of Yokoyama. Near the summit are ruins of the Yoshikawa residence and weapon exhibition facilities, while the walking path to the tenshu allows visitors to experience the mountain castle's layout. The views from the tenshu's upper floors are spectacular, with the Kintai Bridge and Nishiki River below and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea stretching across the distant horizon.
The castle town features a developed tourism area centered on Iwakuni Castle, with the Kintai Bridge, Iwakuni Castle, and the white snake pavilion (Iwakuni's white snakes are a national natural monument) forming the standard Iwakuni sightseeing route. The Yoshikawa Museum displays the Yoshikawa family's hereditary swords, armor, and documents, offering particularly rich viewing for sword enthusiasts.
When visiting Iwakuni, be sure to also check TOUKENZA's online shop. The beauty and culture of Japanese swords transmitted from Sendai resonate deeply with the martial spirit of Iwakuni and the Yoshikawa house.
Connection to Swords
The Yoshikawa clan, as a martial branch of the Mouri family, preserved swords as treasured heirlooms, passing down renowned blades of the Bizen and Soshu traditions through generations. The Iwakuni vicinity maintains a tradition of forging using iron sand, and the Yoshikawa Museum still houses collections of swords and armor connected to the clan's lords.
Highlights
- Views from the tenshu's upper floors—a spectacular vista commanding the Nishiki River, Kintai Bridge, and islands of the Seto Inland Sea
- Kintai Bridge—a renowned five-arch wooden structure, counted among Japan's Three Most Famous Bridges (first constructed 1673)
- Yoshikawa Museum—preserving primary materials including the Yoshikawa family's hereditary swords, armor, and documents
- Ropeway ascent—experiencing the mountain castle via summit access and woodland paths
- Iwakuni Castle town—historic streetscape preserving remnants of samurai residences and merchant districts
- White snakes of Iwakuni—a species endemic to Iwakuni and designated a national natural monument
* Opening hours and admission fees are subject to change. Please check the official website before visiting.