Yoshida-Koriyama Castle Ruins
吉田郡山城跡 · Hiroshima Prefecture · Akitakata City
Around Mount Koriyama in Yoshida, Akitakata City, Hiroshima Prefecture; a mountain-castle ruin, a national historic site, reached by hiking trails, with no surviving keep.
Know before you go
- Red lines: do not climb or dig earthworks and stone walls
- do not remove relics. Taboos: do not make noise or pose exaggeratedly at the grave
- do not play loud music on trails. Good manners: wear hiking shoes, walk carefully after rain, carry litter down. Common pitfalls: (1) expecting a keep — this is a mountain ruin
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
Yoshida-Koriyama Castle Ruins — the historical setting
Yoshida-Koriyama was the Mori clan's main castle, from which Mori Motonari expanded; in the 1540 Battle of Yoshida-Koriyama, Motonari's defenders repelled the large attacking army of Amago Haruhisa — attacking numbers vary by source, so only the scale is stated — a key step in the Mori rise.
Legend
Mōri Motonari and the three arrows
The tale of three arrows teaches unity among Mōri Motonari’s sons. Akitakata City presents it as a traditional anecdote; the teaching scene is not a verified historical event.
Source: Official historical information
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Yoshida-Koriyama was the Mori clan's main castle, from which Mori Motonari expanded; in the 1540 Battle of Yoshida-Koriyama, Motonari's defenders repelled the large attacking army of Amago Haruhisa — attacking numbers vary by source, so only the scale is stated — a key step in the Mori rise.
Local customs
- (1) Yoshida-Koriyama Castle Ruins trail (吉田郡山城跡登山道) — baileys, dry moats and stone-wall remains
- (2) View from the main bailey (本丸眺望) — Yoshida basin
- (3) Grave of Mori Motonari area (毛利元就墓周辺)
- (4) Akitakata City History and Folklore Museum (安芸高田市歴史民俗博物館) — Mori and castle exhibits
- (5) Walk around the Mori castle town (毛利氏城下散策) — old Yoshida streets.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Red lines: do not climb or dig earthworks and stone walls
- do not remove relics. Taboos: do not make noise or pose exaggeratedly at the grave
- do not play loud music on trails. Good manners: wear hiking shoes, walk carefully after rain, carry litter down. Common pitfalls: (1) expecting a keep — this is a mountain ruin
- (2) treating the "three arrows" as Motonari's verbatim testament — it is a later legendary formulation.
Locals appreciate DO
Please respect local residents, open areas, and on-site rules.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Getting there | Intercity: Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station, then a local JR Geibi Line-area train toward Yoshida. Local: bus or taxi to the trailhead, then a hike. Pay by IC card or cash; local short-to-medium fares, per official fares. |
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Travel tips
- Check the official notice for admission and opening hours
- museum entry on the order of a few hundred yen, per official prices. Mosquitoes and sun in summer — bring repellent, water and sun protection
- some trails are slippery in winter and after rain — check official information first.
People
People & stories
Sources & verification notes
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