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Hiroshima Attractions
Most of Hiroshima's must-see attractions revolve around the tragedy of the atomic bombing during World War II. Primary among these is the Peace memorial Park which includes Ground Zero, the Cenotaph monument to the dead, the extremely moving Children's Peace Monument, dedicated to the children who died in the bombing, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. These sites are naturally sombre and saddening but the emphasis on peace and forgiveness is hopeful and most people don't find the experience too depressing.
Other popular attractions in Hiroshima include the Shukkei-en Garden, the Hiroshima Museum of Art, the Mitaki Temple, Hiroshima Castle, and the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art. Hiroshima is surrounded by some lovely countryside and two of the best excursions are a trip to the breathtaking scenic area of Sandankyo Gorge, and the beautiful little island of Miyajima.
Getting around the city is fairly easy. Hiroshima still operates an extensive tram network, called Hiroden and most tram routes emanate from the JR Hiroshima Station, charging a flat rate within the city centre. The city also has a metro system, but it only serves the northern suburbs, and is not usually useful for visitors.
The best time to visit Hiroshima, as with most of Japan, is in the spring and autumn when the weather is mild and pleasant and the scenery is at its prettiest thanks to the cherry blossoms and dramatic autumn colours respectively.
Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima's original castle, built in the late 16th century, was totally destroyed in the atomic blast during World War…
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
Hiroshima boasts the first public art museum in Japan devoted exclusively to contemporary art. The museum was founded…
Miyajima
The romantic little island of Miyajima lies about eight miles (13km) off the mainland in the Seto Inland Sea. Apart from…
Peace Memorial Park
Around the epicentre of the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima in 1945, a complex of buildings and monuments has been…
Sandankyo Gorge
The erosion of the limestone plateau in the northwest of the Hiroshima prefecture has left a beautiful deep gorge, stretching…
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