Fukuyama Castle and the Rose City: A Castle Seen from the Shinkansen Platform and One Million Roses

Fukuyama Castle in eastern Hiroshima's Fukuyama City is a castle built in 1622 (Genna 8) by Mizuno Katsunari. Right in front of JR Fukuyama Station, its tower can be seen even from the Shinkansen platforms, an unusual location nationwide. Fukuyama City is also known as the "city of roses," with about one million roses cultivated across the city. You can enjoy a historic castle and the colorful roses that adorn the town at once, a form of sightseeing distinctive to Fukuyama.

Highlights

Fukuyama Castle was built in the early Edo period by Mizuno Katsunari, a lord and cousin of Tokugawa Ieyasu, as a strategic point to hold the western provinces. A grand castle built at the very last stage of early-modern castle construction, it displayed the prestige of the Tokugawa shogunate. The tower burned in the Fukuyama air raid of 1945 but was rebuilt in 1966 and is beloved as a symbol of the city. In the 400th-anniversary restoration of 2020 to 2022, the rare "iron-plated north face," covering the tower's north side with black iron plates, was recreated in its original form. The Fushimi Turret and Sujigane Gate, which survived the air raid, still stand and are designated National Important Cultural Properties.

The city became the "city of roses" through its history of recovery from wartime devastation. It began when citizens planted and raised roses to restore hope in the burned-out town, and the movement spread until one million roses now bloom across the city. The interior of the rebuilt tower is a museum where you can learn about Fukuyama's history and the path of the Mizuno clan.

Seasonal Enjoyment

Fukuyama Castle can be enjoyed year-round, and spring cherry blossoms are especially beautiful. For roses, the period when they reach full bloom and the Rose Festival is held is recommended, when the town is wrapped in gorgeous flowers and fragrance. Festival dates vary by year, so check official Fukuyama City information. The tower illuminated at night is also worth seeing.

Access and Practical Information

Access is very convenient, about a five-minute walk from the north exit of JR Fukuyama Station to the castle, and the Sanyo Shinkansen stops here. The museum inside the tower charges 200 yen for adults, is generally open 9:00 to 17:00, and is closed on Mondays (subject to change, so confirm via official information). The castle grounds, lined with stone walls and turrets, can be strolled free of charge, offering the distinctive scenery of a station and castle side by side.

Practical Travel Notes

For Shinkansen travelers, the location is ideal for a stop between connections. Combining the tower museum with a stroll through the rose parks makes a half-day itinerary easy to plan. Fukuyama is also the gateway to atmospheric port towns such as Tomonoura and Onomichi, which pair well with a visit. Budgets are modest, roughly admission and transport. Timing your visit to the roses' peak lets you fully enjoy both the castle and the flowers.

A Word of Advice

First, look up at the tower from the Shinkansen platform or the station's north exit. The scenery of a "castle visible from the station," unique to Fukuyama, will stay in your memory. During the Rose Festival, strolling among the rose gardens across the city is a delight, so it is best to check the dates in advance and plan around them.

📚 Sources

The information in this article is organized from tourism details published by the city of Fukuyama and the Fukuyama tourism association, along with public guidance provided by the operator of the Fukuyama Castle Museum. Exhibits inside the keep and opening hours can be checked through the facility's official information. Fees, hours, and access may change, so please always confirm with official sources before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 1 to 2 hours to tour the keep and stroll around the castle; allow extra time to take it slowly.
• What to bring: Prepare cash for admission and drinks, and comfortable shoes since the keep has many stairs.
• Getting around: The castle sits right by JR Fukuyama Station, so access by train is convenient.
• Suggested route: After touring the keep of Fukuyama Castle, extend to nearby historic sites and a walk around Fukuyama Station.
• What to wear: The visit includes some outdoor strolling, so dress for the season.