| The name "Hiroshima" usually conjures up a | | | | the sixth century, the shrine has been designated |
| picture of the mushroom cloud that rose from | | | | a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. If you go |
| the devastated city on August 6, 1945. It was | | | | to Miyajima on August 14, you can see a brilliant |
| the first time an atomic bomb had been | | | | display of 3,000 fireworks that takes place on the |
| employed over a populated area, and it hastened | | | | sea in front of the shrine, lighting up the night sky |
| the end of World War II. But today's Hiroshima is | | | | and the torii gate. You'll also enjoy colorful autumn |
| a bustling city of a million people that boasts some | | | | foliage, clear skies and cool breezes. |
| of Japan's most well-known tourist attractions for | | | | The spring is also a beautiful time to visit here. |
| both the history buff and the casual traveler. | | | | You'll see the cherry blossoms for which Japan is |
| The city's first must-see site, of course, is the | | | | famous, and from May 3-5 a parade of flower |
| Peace Memorial Park and Museum, located in the | | | | floats and other events draws over a million |
| area around the atomic bomb explosion's | | | | visitors to the Hiroshima Flower Festival. |
| epicenter. The focal point of the Park is the | | | | So where is Hiroshima, and how do you get here? |
| Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the few buildings | | | | It's about 550 miles west of Tokyo, in the |
| that partially survived the blast, and the one | | | | Chugoku Region, the westernmost region on |
| building that has been allowed to remain standing | | | | Japan's main island of Honshu. To get there, take |
| as evidence of the devastation caused by the | | | | your choice - air, bus, local train or bus. If you're in |
| blast. In 1996, the Dome was registered as a | | | | a hurry, the flight from Tokyo's Haneda Airport |
| UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. | | | | takes about 90 minutes. A trip on the direct |
| The second must-see site is the island of | | | | nozomi train, Japan's famous bullet train, will take |
| Miyajima, located 40 minutes from the center of | | | | about four hours from Tokyo. If you want to |
| the city by train and ferry. Miyajima houses the | | | | experience some of Japan's countryside, take the |
| Itsukushima Shrine, which sits on the water like a | | | | local train, which takes about 15 hours and |
| pier and is regarded as one of Japan's three most | | | | typically involves about six transfers. Or, you can |
| beautiful sights. You've probably seen post card | | | | take a night bus, which takes about 12 hours. |
| pictures of the shrine's graceful vermillion-colored | | | | However you choose to get to Hiroshima, it's an |
| torii gate, which looks like a Japanese alphabet | | | | experience that will make your visit to Japan truly |
| character rising out of the shimmering sea. A | | | | special and historic. |
| national treasure that is thought to date back to | | | | Interested in this subject? |