Symbol of world peace, Hiroshima Miyajima Island symbolized by the grand torii gate in the sea

Hiroshima is situated at the center of the Chugoku region in western Honshu (the main island of Japan) Island. It contains In’noshima Island and 150 other islands in the Seto Inland Sea.

Hiroshima City was leveled by an atomic bomb in WWII. Today Hiroshima is internationally known as a city of peace that continues to convey its experiences to the entire world.

The Chugoku Mountains extend from east to west to the north of Hiroshima. The Akana-toge Pass and Misaka-toge Pass are access routes to areas in the Sea of Japan side. The plains are narrow, and the coastlines are mostly saw-toothed coasts with mountains drawing close to the shore.

An important cultural property, Itsuku-shima-jinja Shrine, is located on Miyajima Island, one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan, and is a special historic site. Its symbol is the great torii gate (shrine gate) that stands in the sea.

There are other important cultural properties here such as Mitaki-dera Temple, the Fudo-in Temple built in the mid-14th century, and many other noted temples.

Hiroshima is surrounded by the sea and mountains, and has abundant natural beauty. Here, too, are Setonaikai National Park, Hibadogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park, and West Chugoku Mountains Quasi-National Park.

In Hiroshima City, known to the world as the first city attacked by an atomic bomb, there is the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to symbolize the importance of world peace and which was designated as a World Cultural Heritage with the adjacent Peace Memorial Park.

Getting to Hiroshima

About 3 hours 10 minutes from Tokyo Station to Shin Kobe Station by Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen Line. About 15 minutes from Shin Osaka Station.