Hiroshima Prefecture is located in the Chugoku region of Japan, strategically positioned between Honshu and Shikoku. Hiroshima City is renowned as a ‘City of Peace,’ and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome stand as symbols of peace and education. The Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome, a symbol of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region offers a wealth of tourist attractions, including culturally significant places like the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome and Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine. Furthermore, Hiroshima is home to many beautiful hot spring resorts and tourist destinations that captivate visitors.
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a savory pancake, is famous, characterized by its thin, crepe-like batter layered with various ingredients and cooked. This style of okonomiyaki is popular among foreigners.
Hiroshima Prefecture appeals to foreign tourists with its rich tapestry of history, culture, natural beauty, and the enduring wish for peace.
１．Itsukushima Shrine
Known as the symbol of Hiroshima Prefecture, Itsukushima Shrine is a beautiful shrine that stands in the sea. It’s particularly popular among foreign tourists, and you can access it via a walkway during low tide. The view of the torii gate standing in the water is enchanting.
２．Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Including the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Park serves as a symbol of respect for peace and the victims of war. Foreign tourists come here to learn about peace and nuclear disarmament.
３．Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima Castle is famous for its beautiful castle grounds and cherry blossoms. The castle also houses exhibits related to Hiroshima’s history, making it intriguing for visitors from abroad.
４．Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
This museum provides information about the effects of the atomic bomb and promotes understanding of peace and the impact of war. It is a valuable resource for foreigners.
５．MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima
Hiroshima Toyo Carp is a professional baseball team in Japan, and it’s a source of fascination for baseball fans. The current stadium, the MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium, opened in 2009 as a replacement for the aging Hiroshima Municipal Stadium, which was completed in 1957.
６．Fukuyama Castle
Fukuyama Castle is a historical castle where foreign tourists can explore the castle and enjoy beautiful gardens. It was built in 1622 by Fukuyama’s first feudal lord, Katsunari Mizuno, who was a cousin of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
７．Tatara Ohashi Bridge
This bridge spans between the islands of Ikuchijima and Omishima, at the border between Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures. It’s even possible to walk across this bridge.
８．Shimanami Kaido
The Shimanami Kaido is a route that connects Hiroshima’s Onomichi and Ehime’s Imabari. Along the way, you’ll encounter islands such as Innoshima, known for its connections to Murakami pirates, Ikuchijima, famous for its lemons, and Hakatajima, renowned for ‘Hakata no Shio’ (Hakata Salt). The Shimanami Kaido is also known as a ‘Cyclist’s Holy Land.
９．Yamato Museum
Located in Kure City, the Yamato Museum displays actual materials that convey the horrors of war, including a 1/10 scale model of the battleship Yamato, Zero fighter planes, and human torpedoes (kaiten). Visitors can also learn about ship mechanisms and construction through various experiential programs. The museum includes a library, a museum shop, and an observation deck that offers a view of Kure Port.
１０．Atomic Bomb Dome
The Atomic Bomb Dome is a symbolic structure that conveys the devastation caused by the world’s first atomic bomb, which was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, at 8:15 AM. It stands almost exactly as it did at the time of the bombing, alongside the Motoyasu River, serving as a poignant reminder of the horrors of war and nuclear weapons. In 1996, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can only view the exterior; entry to the interior is prohibited.
