Discover the two renowned World Heritage sites in Hiroshima

Learn more about Hiroshima’s history at the Peace Memorial Park (World Heritage)

Located in the center of Hiroshima city, Peace Memorial Park, a civic park, has the Peace Memorial Museum and the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims in between Honkawa and Motoyasugawa rivers as well as the Atomic Bomb Dome on the east side of Motoyasugawa river. Over thirty acres (121,406 hectares) of vast land serves as the place of relaxation for the citizens.

Opened in 1915 as Hiroshima Product Museum and attacked by a nuclear bomb on August 6th 1945, the World Heritage Atomic Bomb Dome in the Peace Memorial Park still remains its original appearance based on the dearest wish for no more same tragedy.

Peace Memorial Museum tells the then total catastrophe by exhibiting of mementos, photos and data resources including the “burnt lunch box” or severely damaged school uniform of victim students.

In the central area of the park sits the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, the monument with a resolution of restoring Hiroshima as a city of peace. The stone chamber, inside the monument which houses the registry of the names of deceased A-bomb victims, is inscribed with an epigraph “Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil.”

City streetcars and river taxis, perfect for sightseeing

As a convenient transportation within the city, the streetcars offers 150 yen flat rate ticket and “Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass”. The excursion ticket including Miyajima trip for overseas visitors are highly recommended. With its national longest-scale operating distance, Hiroshima’s streetcar runs wide range from JR Hiroshima Station to Genbaku-Dome-Mae Station as well as to Miyajima. River taxis operate on six rivers within the city, using stepping piers called “gangi” as their terminals which presents the atmospheric feature of Hiroshima’s river banks. There are classy cafes and oyster restaurants in river front, attracting many tourists from overseas.

Take a ferryboat to Miyajima and explore the offshore Itsukushima Shrine (World Heritage)

With its 1,400-year history, Itsukushima Shrine stands off Miyajima inlet, just ten-minute ferry trip from the pier at JR Miyajimaguchi Station. Vermilion‐lacquered shrine pavilions connects each other by the corridors, and its architecture that are designed to look floating on the sea at high tide, present stunning beauty that can not been seen else where in Japan.

Popular kimono “Tsuboshozoku” experience offers medieval travelling outfit in Heian Period (around 794 – 1192). In the offering which attracts both overseas and domestic visitors, you can select the colors and patterns of kimono as you like, and the dressing takes only ten minutes.

Explore Tomonoura and Onomichi, the eastern Hiroshima’s must-visit

Located in the east end of Hiroshima Prefecture, Tomonoura is a historic port town. As it centers in Seto Inland Sea, the tide ebbs towards east and west being separated by Tomonoura. In olden days, seafarers had to wait there until the tidal currents change. The town particularly draws attention as its 18th century’s avenues and townscapes served for the animation movie “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea”.

Fukuzenji Temple was founded on a cliff in around 950. Its guest house, built in late 17th century and used as a reception hall for Korean ambassadors in 19th century, is called “Taichoro” for its magnificent view.

Onomichi City, located in approx. 25km (15 mi.) to the west of Tomonoura along the coastline, hosts the “Shimanami Sea Road” which is a motorway that connects Honshu and Shikoku islands. The side of the Honshu island acts as a gateway that attracts world-wide cyclists.Onomichi City has many temples and shrines, and you feel like you have walked into a maze created from stone-paved slopes, temples and private houses with Seto Inland Sea as a background. Used as a shooting location for many Japanese movies, every picturesque path in the town makes you feel like a leading character in a movie.

Savor a wide selection of fresh seafood and local cuisine

Oysters and lemons, the specialty offered in Hiroshima

One of Hiroshima’s best-known gourmet food is oyster, making up 60 percent of nation-wide catches. Particularly in its season from October to March, raw oysters with lemon juice squeezed on is highly recommended. Fresh and thick oysters with its rich taste can be enjoyed in various ways such as roasted, deep-fried or as tempura.

Accounting for the largest share of domestic output, and selected as one of “The Hiroshima brand” by Hiroshima City in 2012, Hiroshima lemon is another specialty.

“Hiroshima style okonomiyaki” is also a definite can’t miss in Hiroshima trip. For the details, please see the articles in separate web magazines.