Itsukushima Shrine was built by Taira no Kiyomori in the 12th century. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
The Atomic Bomb Dome was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in December 1996 at the 20th Annual World Heritage Committee meeting in Mérida, Mexico as a structure that conveys the horrors of nuclear weapons. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Typical of castles built on plains, Hiroshima Castle was erected by Mōri Terumoto, one of the members of the council of five elders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum opened in 1955 with the goals of conveying the destruction caused by the atomic bombing to the people of the world and contributing to the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of everlasting peace. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
The National Peace Memorial Halls for the Atomic Bomb Victims in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are an effort by the Japanese national government to remember and mourn the sacred sacrifice of the atomic bomb victims. They are also an expression of Japan’s desire for genuine and lasting peace. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
The museum opened in 1989 as the first public museum of contemporary art in Japan. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Foreign works of the mid-19th century from the Romantics to Ekorudo Paris, has a collection of over Japan modern art collection to the modern from the Meiji. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Hiroshima Orizuru Tower is located east of the Atomic Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It offers a splendid view of Hiroshima from the roof and an opportunity to see and experience Hiroshima and enjoy local food. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Mazda Stadium is the home of the local baseball team, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan’s Central League. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
The Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum is located in the heart of the city next to Shukkeien, a garden known for its scenic beauty. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Hiroshima Electric Railway is the largest operator of streetcars in Japan and the largest operator of buses in the Chugoku-Shikoku Region. Streetcars are a convenient way to see the sights of Hiroshima. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Shukkeien was built in 1620 by Ueda Sōko, a retainer of the Asano Domain and a well-known master of the tea ceremony, as the garden of the villa of the lord of the domain. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
With the rapidly flowing tides of the Seto Inland Sea in the background, the verdant Shōtōen garden offers a rich, relaxing environment featuring pine trees. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
The Rantokaku Art Museum displays paintings by leading contemporary artists including Yokoyama Taikan, Fukuda Heihachiro and Minami Kunzo and artists connected with the local area. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
The Yamato Museum is the naval history museum of Kure, which prospered as the site of the biggest naval shipyard in Japan and is where the battleship Yamato was built. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
At the Glass Village you can see works made of glass from ancient to modern times, try making something in the glass studio and enjoy shopping in the store, which features glass products from all over the world. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Built by Mizuno Katsunari in 1969, Fukuyama Castle is a famous castle of the Edo Period (1603-1868). Its Fushimi Yagura tower and Sujigane Go-mon gate have been designated national important cultural properties. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Takehara prospered in the Heian Period (794-1185) as the site of a manor for Kyoto’s Shimagamo Shrine. Takehara is referred to as the “Little Kyoto of Aki”. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
About 2,000 shops in the city and its environs serve this local specialty. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Sometimes referred to as the “milk of the sea,” oysters are a noted product of Hiroshima. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Momiji manjū, a steamed bun shaped like a maple leaf, is a specialty of Miyajima. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Hiroshima produces many popular varieties of sweet, delicious sake. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
The mandarin oranges of Etajima are sweet and delicious. They are shipped throughout Japan as “Hiroshima mikan”. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Onomichi ramen consists of light noodles in a soy sauce-based soup flavored with chicken bones. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Anago meshi (broiled conger eel on rice) was first created in 1901 by “Ueno” a shop located at Miyajimaguchi Station. Today it is famous throughout Japan. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
The Geiyo Islands in the Mihara area are known for the best octopus catch in Hiroshima Prefecture. At restaurants in Mihara you can enjoy octopus prepared in various ways including sashimi, tempura, takomeshi (octopus rice) with vinegared foods and octopus stew. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Along with Chinese-style noodles and roasted pork fillet, this dish features vegetables and a boiled egg. It is served with a spicy soy-based sauce whose ingredients include cayenne pepper, chili oil, vinegar and sesame. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
The Miyajima rice scoop was created around the end of the 18th century by the Buddhist priest Seishin, who got the idea for the scoop’s shape from the lute of the goddess Benzaiten. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Kumano brushes represent 80 percent of the brushes produced in Japan and are known as the best in the country. [ Photo: Hiroshima Pref. ]
Otafuku Sauce is a thick sauce that goes well with okonomiyaki. You can make reservations for tours of Otafuku’s Wood Egg Okonomiyaki Hall and its factory on the company’s website. (http://www.otafuku.co.jp/corporate/woodegg/). [ Photo: Otafuku Sauce ]
