A method of handover control, a relay apparatus, and a method for selecting a target cell are provided that make it possible to identify a target cell in a hand-in phase even in a network topology in which relay apparatuses are connected in multiple stages. In a radio communication system in which a base station controller (14) and a first relay apparatus (1) are connected to a communication network, wherein the base station controller has under its control at least one first base station (12) connected thereto, and the first relay apparatus has under its control at least a second relay apparatus (2) connected thereto, wherein the second relay apparatus has under its control at least one second base station (4-6) connected thereto, the first relay apparatus acquires cell information of a cell controlled by the second base station under the control of the second relay apparatus, and in a hand-in phase for handover from the first base station (12), to which a radio station (16) is wirelessly connected, to the second base station (6), the first relay apparatus identifies a target cell of the handover by using the cell information.