Hiroshima Travel Guide
Hiroshima is the capital and biggest city of Hiroshima Prefecture located along the Seto inland Sea with a population of approximately 1.2 million. Hiroshima is a main business and financial center of Chugoku region. Hiroshima is known as the first city that suffered a horrific atomic bomb during the World War II and it becomes a symbol of peaceful city in Japan.
Getting in
Hiroshima Airport welcomes some international direct flights from Asia and many domestic flights from other major international airports like Narita and Haneda Airport. Hiroshima Airport is a bit far from central Hiroshima and it takes about an hour to go to JR Hiroshima station whereby you can find many hotels. You can also take JR Shinkansen (bullet train) and it takes about 4 hours from Tokyo and 1 1/2 hours from Osaka.
Sightseeing
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park; The park is located at the heart of the city nearby Hiroshima Prefecture Office. It was built as a memorial park to memorize so many victims who suffered from the nuclear bomb attack in 1945. There are several memorials such as Atomic Bomb Dome, museum and International conference center in the park. On August 6 each year, Hiroshima city hosts a Peace memorial ceremony at the park that draws many visitors from all over the world. My Americans friend first thought people in Hiroshima would not welcome him, but he said everybody he met in Hiroshima was very warm and it was really good opportunity to think about the importance of world peace after visiting the park.
Miyajima; Famous island near Hiroshima and Itsukushima shrine and its floating gate in the island attract many tourists. Holistic island is particularly popular among foreign tourists. Miyajima is one of Japan's best three view and recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage site. There are some hotels in Miyajima, but they are very expensive so you may want to take a day trip from central Hiroshima. To go to Miyajima, you can take JR train Hiroshima station and get off at Miyajimaguchi station and then you can take a ferry. It takes about an hour from central Hiroshima to Miyajima.
Hiroshima Flower Festival; Held on the first week of May every year and it is Hiroshima's biggest festival that attracts a lot of tourist from other parts of Japan and overseas. The first festival was held in 1975 to celebrate Hiroshima Carp, local professional baseball team, that won the Japan Series for the first time. You can enjoy a magnificent view of spring flowers and there are lots of open shops and live performers on the streets. Many Japanese couples go on a date at the festival and you can easily become romantic to see beautiful flowers. Make sure to book your hotels during this major event and enjoy the street performance of young and oldies.
Other Nearby Destinations
Onomichi- Famous tourist spot for a number of ancient temples and old hillside houses. Onomichi is also famous for Onomichi ramen, soy based soup noodles. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes from central Hiroshima by train.
Shimonoseki - A coastal city in Yamaguchi Prefecture and about two hour trip from Hiroshima city. Shimonoseki is famous for delicious fugu, toxic putter fish, but irresistible taste.
