Hiroshima
The A-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima © JNTO
Tragedy has turned Hiroshima, the main city of the Chugoku Region on Japan's main island of Honshu, into the country's most famous tourist attraction. On 6 August 1945 the unfortunate city became the first ever target of an atomic bomb. Early in the morning three United States B-29 bombers flew in from the northeast; one dropped its deadly ordnance over the centre of the city, leaving a mushroom cloud that darkened the sky while more than 200,000 civilians died. Today thousands of visitors make a pilgrimage to Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, marvelling at the lively modern city that has overcome its tragedy to become the thriving home to more than a million people. Not surprisingly the city has become vehemently engaged in the promotion of peace, and American visitors are welcomed with open arms along with those of other nationalities. Visitors are drawn mainly to the Peace Memorial Park and its museum, but the rebuilt city is an attractive place to visit in its own right, criss-crossed by rivers and wide avenues and containing several good museums. Nearby are some of Japan's most scenic excursion destinations.



Attractions

Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima’s original castle, built in the late 16th century, was totally destroyed in the atomic blast but has been reconstructed as a perfect reproduction of the original. The castle houses a museum detailing the city’s history and the historic feudal system. The exhibits include some models of ancient Hiroshima and the castle.

Address: 21-1 Motomachi, Naka-ku; Website: www.rijo-castle.jp/rijo/main.html; Telephone: (0)82 221 7512; Transport: Streetcar from Hiroshima station to Kamiya-cho station on lines 1, 2 or 6; it is a 10-minute walk from there; Opening time: Daily 9am-5:30pm; 9am-4:30pm (October to March).; Admission: Castle tower: ¥360 (adults), ¥180 (children). Castle grounds free.


Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art

Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art

Hiroshima boasts the first public art museum in Japan devoted exclusively to contemporary art. The museum is housed in an interesting building designed by Japanese architect Kurokawa Kisho, based on the shape of a Japanese warehouse (Kura). The building is set high on a hill in Hijiyama Park, famed for its cherry blossoms and splendid city views. The museum itself contains the works of established and up-and-coming Japanese artists. For those not familiar with Japanese art the museum has provided information books on the individual artists represented, written in English. There is also an outdoor sculpture garden to enjoy.

Address: Hijiyama Koen; Website: www.hcmca.cf.city.hiroshima.jp/web/main_e/index.html; Telephone: (0)82 264 1121; Transport: Bus or streetcar from Hiroshima Station; Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm.; Admission: ¥360 (adults), ¥270 (students), ¥170 (scholars).


Peace Memorial Park
Peace Memorial Park © JNTO

Peace Memorial Park

Around the epicentre of the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima in 1945, a complex of buildings and monuments has been erected in the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the earth-shattering event. It is dedicated to the promotion of world peace. Central to the park is the only remaining city building damaged in the blast. It was formerly the Industrial Promotion Hall, but is now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park also contains the Peace Memorial Museum, featuring exhibits that graphically portray the horrible effects of the bomb on the city and its citizens. Between the museum and the dome stands the Memorial Cenotaph containing a stone chest, inside which is a list of all those killed in the explosion or who died subsequently from the long-term effects caused by radiation. The Cenotaph also houses the peace flame, which will burn until nuclear war is no longer considered a threat to humanity. Other monuments contained in the solemn park include the Statue of the A-Bomb Children and the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound that contains the ashes of tens of thousands of unidentified victims.

Address: 1-2 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku; Website: www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/index_e2.html; Telephone: Museum: (0)82 242 7798; Transport: Hiroshima bus to Yoshijima alighting at the Heiwa Kinen Koen (Peace Memorial Park) bus stop; or HiroshimaPort streetcar to Chuden-Mae, or Eba streetcar to Genbaku Domu Mae (A-bomb Dome) stop; Opening time: Museum: daily 8:30am-6pm (March to November); 8:30am-7pm (August); 8:30am-5pm (December to February).; Admission: ¥50 (adult), ¥30 (child)

Excursions

Miyajima

The romantic little island of Miyajima lies about eight miles (13km) off the mainland in the Seto Inland Sea. Apart from being scenically beautiful with steep wooded hills, the island is famous for its Itsukushima Shrine featuring a massive red wooden torii (gate). The shrine is partially built over water, and was founded in the 6th century. During high tide the shrine stands in the ocean, which is particularly picturesque when the building is illuminated at night. The rest of the island makes for great hiking opportunities, particularly in spring when the many cherry trees are in bloom. Deer roam free and monkeys chatter in the woods.

Telephone: (0)82 944 0008; Transport: JR Sanyo Line or tram 2 to Miyajimaguchi Station. Ferries leave frequently from the pier nearby; Opening time: Itsukushima Shrine: daily 6.30am to 6pm


Sandankyo Gorge

The erosion of the limestone plateau in the northwest of the Hiroshima prefecture has left a beautiful deep gorge, stretching for about 11 miles (18km), full of primeval forest, waterfalls, monkeys, unusual rock formations and the Onbashi Bridge, the largest natural bridge in Japan. Sandankyo Gorge is a favourite route for hikers.

Transport: Train or bus from Hiroshima City.

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