Hiroshima

Wandering around Hiroshima it's incredible to imagine that this busy city of 1.15 million is the same one that was destroyed by an atom bomb on 6 August 1945. Every year on the anniversary of the explosion a moving memorial service is held when 10,000 lanterns are set adrift on the Ota-gawa, the river that flows through the city past the Peace Memorial Park commemorating the victims of that fateful event. The shattered remains of the 1914 Industrial Promotion Hall, better known as the A-bomb Dome, is the most iconic image of the park where you’ll also find the Peace Memorial Museum detailing the events leading up to, and horrific aftermath, ...

Wandering around Hiroshima it's incredible to imagine that this busy city of 1.15 million is the same one that was destroyed by an atom bomb on 6 August 1945. Every year on the anniversary of the explosion a moving memorial service is held when 10,000 lanterns are set adrift on the Ota-gawa, the river that flows through the city past the Peace Memorial Park commemorating the victims of that fateful event. The shattered remains of the 1914 Industrial Promotion Hall, better known as the A-bomb Dome, is the most iconic image of the park where you’ll also find the Peace Memorial Museum detailing the events leading up to, and horrific aftermath, of the catastrophe. Like the rest of the city, Hiroshima’s castle, originally built in the 16th century, had to be reconstructed after the blast – it’s worth a look as is the Hiroshima Prefectural Museum of Art, the city’s best gallery. Although it can be visited in a half-day trip from Hiroshima, the island of Miyajima (officially called Itsukushima), home to the serene shrine Itsukushima-jinja, is better enjoyed on an overnight stay. This way you can climb the island’s 1,740-foot sacred mountain Misen-san and admire the beautiful views across the Inland Sea.

About the Expert

Simon Richmond has written Rough Guides to Malaysia and Japan; Lonely Planet guides to India and Russia; and adventure travel guides for Frommer's on Australia, India, South America, and Southeast Asia.