🏯 Climbing to the Sky – Iwakuni Castle Adventure

Iwakuni Castle sits high atop Mount Shiroyama and delivers not only a slice of history but also one of the best panoramic views you’ll find in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Originally built in 1608 and later reconstructed, the castle today serves more as a museum and lookout, but it doesn’t fall short on charm. Getting to the top is part of the fun. From Kintaikyo Bridge, we took a short walk to the ropeway station located in Kikko Park. The cable car ride was only about 3 minutes but offered a sweeping view of the Nishiki River and the iconic wooden bridge. Once at the top, we walked another 10 minutes along a shaded path to the castle. There’s also a hiking trail if you’re up for the climb. Inside the castle, you’ll find displays of samurai armor, weapons, and a fascinating model of Kintaikyo Bridge. The best part? The top floor observation deck, which gave us a panoramic view of Iwakuni city, the river, and on a clear day, even out toward the Seto Inland Sea. It’s a peaceful spot with very few crowds when we visited. Entry fees were reasonable and combo tickets covering the castle, ropeway, and bridge made it a value-packed outing. If you’re in the area—especially visiting from Hiroshima—Iwakuni Castle makes for a relaxing and rewarding detour. #summervacay #iwakunicastle #kintaikyobridge #japanviews #castlehike #mountshiroyama #hiddengemsjapan #yamaguchitravel #samuraihistory #japan #japantrip