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