Hiroshima Castle in Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, hosts "Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander 2026," a nighttime event with projection mapping and lighting, from Friday, December 18, 2026 to Monday, January 11, 2027 (a national holiday). Hiroshima Castle, also known as "Carp Castle," is a symbol of the city and one of Japan's Top 100 Castles. The event features the first-ever projection mapping on the castle's main keep, according to a Hiroshima City survey as of October 2026.
In addition to the main keep, digital animations are projected onto the Omotegomon Gate and the stone walls inside the castle grounds. The visuals include motifs tied to "Carp Castle" and to Hiroshima, the City of Water, such as the rivers that flow through the city, nishikigoi (ornamental koi carp), and koinobori (carp streamers), along with ukiyo-e prints depicting Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage Site. Lighting effects at Gomon Bridge and the Honmaru (main citadel) light up other parts of the castle grounds at night.
Admission is free, and no advance registration is required.
Event Details
Event Name: Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander 2026
Dates: December 18 (Fri), 2026 to January 11 (Mon, holiday), 2027
Hours: 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Closed: December 31 (Thu), 2026 to January 3 (Sun), 2027
- Projections go ahead in the rain, but may be paused or canceled in severe weather.
- The same digital art program is shown at any time during the event hours.
Venue: Hiroshima Castle (21-1 Motomachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima)
Admission: Free, no advance registration required
Host: Hiroshima City
Co-host: Chugoku Shimbun Co., Ltd.
Planning and Production: HITOHATA, INC.
Official Website: https://hiroshimacastle.com
Access
- From JR Hiroshima Station (South Exit), take the streetcar (Lines 1, 2 or 6) for about 10 minutes to Kamiyacho-higashi, then walk about 12 minutes through the underground passage.
- From JR Hiroshima Station (South Exit), take the streetcar (Lines 2 or 6) for about 13 minutes to Kamiyacho-nishi, then walk about 10 minutes through the underground passage.
- From JR Hiroshima Station (South Exit, Bus Stop 7), take a bus via Godo-chosha-mae for about 7 minutes to the Godo-chosha-mae stop, then walk about 8 minutes. Buses that run via Hatchobori do not stop at Godo-chosha-mae.
- From Kenchomae Station on the Astram Line, walk about 8 minutes.
- From Joboku Station on the Astram Line, walk about 10 minutes.
- From Shin-Hakushima Station (JR and Astram Line), walk about 15 minutes.
- From Hiroshima Bus Center, walk about 8 minutes.
- By car, it takes about 20 minutes from Hiroshima IC on the Sanyo Expressway, or about 10 minutes from JR Hiroshima Station.
Visitors arriving by car are asked to use nearby parking lots. Available lots are listed on the official website.
Notes for Visitors
- This is a nighttime event, so please take care when walking around.
- When taking photos or videos, please refrain from flash photography, drone photography, and long shooting sessions with a tripod in the front row when it is crowded. The shutter sound of burst shooting can bother people nearby, so avoid burst mode when it is crowded or use a silent shooting function. Because the visuals move quickly, video is recommended for smartphone users.
- If you use a tripod, the camera height must not exceed the height of the photographer's head, regardless of where you watch from (this does not apply to official recording staff). Please do not use stepladders, footstools, or other equipment to stand on while shooting.
- There are stairs in front of the main keep, so people using wheelchairs and similar aids cannot go up to it. A separate "Omoiyari Zone" will be set up for them to watch from.
