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[[Emperor Meiji]] lived in the castle for seven months during the [[Sino-Japanese War]] of 1894-95, and during the [[Russo-Japanese War]] of 1904-05, the Japanese Supreme Command (''daihon'ei'') was relocated to Hiroshima in order to be closer to the warfront;<ref>Takashi Fujitani, ''Splendid Monarchy'', UC Press (1998), 129.</ref> the castle was used at that time as a barracks for troops.  

[[Emperor Meiji]] lived in the castle for seven months during the [[Sino-Japanese War]] of 1894-95, and during the [[Russo-Japanese War]] of 1904-05, the Japanese Supreme Command (''daihon'ei'') was relocated to Hiroshima in order to be closer to the warfront;<ref>Takashi Fujitani, ''Splendid Monarchy'', UC Press (1998), 129.</ref> the castle was used at that time as a barracks for troops.  

The castle's most tragic entry in the annals of history came in 1945 when it was destroyed by the first atomic bomb. While some number of the buildings were completely obliterated, the ''tenshu'' was simply blown over and did not burn. Timber from the destroyed ''tenshu'' was then taken by people to form ad-hoc shelters and the like; an area near the castle grounds came to be known as the "castle slums," and remained in place for a number of years. The stone walls of the castle compound survived largely intact.  

The castle's most tragic entry in the annals of history came in 1945 when it was destroyed by the first atomic bomb. While some number of the buildings were completely obliterated, the ''tenshu'' was simply blown over and did not burn. Timber from the destroyed ''tenshu'' was then taken by people to form ad-hoc shelters and the like; an area near the castle grounds came to be known as the "castle slums," and remained in place for a number of years.<ref>Oleg Benesch, "Japan's Modern Castles Episode Three: Hiroshima Castle (広島城)," YouTube video, 31 May 2020, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ0u50EQ5C0]</ref> The stone walls of the castle compound survived largely intact.  

Plans were considered in 1946, though never completed, to erect a replica of the Statue of Liberty on the former site of the castle, as a symbol of peace, and as part of efforts to "purify" the castle site of its military associations, transforming the site instead into a "palace of culture and sports." Similar efforts, also emphasizing culture and sports, were considered, or undertaken, in many other cities.<ref>Ran Zwigenberg, "Citadels of Modernity: Japan's Castles in War & Peace," talk given at Temple University, Tokyo campus, 12 July 2017.</ref>

Plans were considered in 1946, though never completed, to erect a replica of the Statue of Liberty on the former site of the castle, as a symbol of peace, and as part of efforts to "purify" the castle site of its military associations, transforming the site instead into a "palace of culture and sports." Similar efforts, also emphasizing culture and sports, were considered, or undertaken, in many other cities.<ref>Ran Zwigenberg, "Citadels of Modernity: Japan's Castles in War & Peace," talk given at Temple University, Tokyo campus, 12 July 2017.</ref>