The Iwakuni Castle sits high atop Mount Shiroyama

overlooking all of Iwakuni.

Hiroie Kikkawa, the first feudal Lord of Iwakuni, began construction of the castle in 1603 to serve as the symbol of the Lord’s power and as a watch tower for protection of his domain.  He used the Nishiki River as a natural outer moat.  The castle was completed in 1608 but existed for only seven years.  The Tokugawa Feudal Government of Japan passsed a strickly enforced  “Law of One Castle per Province”   and the Castle was destroyed in 1615.

In 1962, after almost three and a half centuries, the reconstructed Iwakuni Castle was completed.  We had to check it out before we left.  Access to the castle is by “ropeway” or hiking trail.  We chose the ropeway this time.

From the top of the ropeway it was a bit of a hike through the forest to the castle a short distance away.

The castle was reconstructed based on original drawings.

For those of you interested in construction techniques and masonry here’s a piece of history for you.

And an example of this technique.

The Castle is now a museum with a very large collection of samurai swords.

Another striking landmark of Iwakuni is the Kansai Bridge.  A model of the bridge is here as is a view of the bridge from the top floor of the castle.

While walking around the castle grounds we came upon this well with an amazing twisted tree growing over it.

There was also this sign posted along the trail.

Could it be “Beware of squirrels with bazooka’s”?

Then there was this very peaceful spot.

Lord Kikkawa’s manor house and grounds at the base of the mountain were beautiful and we need to spend a lot more time here.  I have a lot of pictures to share but have run out of time as we must catch the train to begin our trip to Corsica.  So. . .

Here it is. . . your moment of Zen