Hiroshima-shi, Japan

There is much more to see in the countryside surrounding Hiroshima than one might imagine.  While there are that must-see places in Hiroshima City proper, such as Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine, outside the city lies a wealth of natural treasure.  This is not so much due to the city's relatively small size, but more to the abundance of sights in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Miyajima

The most popular destination associated with the region is without question Miyajima. A pleasant one hour ride west along the coast brings you to the port where ferries cross over to this beautiful, albeit heavily visited, island. The island's Itsukushima Shrine, originally built in the late 6th Century and rebuilt in 1146, is legendary. The unusual torii, or shrine arch, stands out in the water and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful sites in all of Japan. After inspecting the other architecture of the area, including the five-story pagoda, a trip to the top of the 530-meter/1,739-foot Mt. Misen is recommended. Or hike the trails of nearby Momiji Tani Park. Among the many other sights and attractions here not to be missed is the Miyajima Oyster Festival, which is held every February.

Sandankyo & the Coastline

If you are going to be in the western reaches of the prefecture, you may also want to consider visiting some of Hiroshima's famous outdoor areas. In Ohtake City, Mikura-dake, a group of three peaks, the highest of which is 702-meters/2,303-feet tall, provides pleasure for campers and rock climbers alike. Deeper inland, toward the rugged, forested and rural area known as Sandankyo, you will encounter some of the most splendid natural scenery in the prefecture. Sandankyo, while also the name of the district, is more specifically the name of a scenic gorge. There is a boat tour through the gorge to a 30-meter/98-feet tall waterfall, and the quiet surroundings alone make the trip worthwhile for many. A few kilometers to the west, at an elevation of 1,341meters/0.8-miles, is Hiroshima prefecture's tallest peak, Osorakan-zan. In the winter, the area provides some good skiing opportunities, as well as a number of fine hot springs.

The Hiroshima coastline is perhaps the most jagged in Japan, blessed with hundreds and hundreds of islands. Before hitting the coast, start by visiting the peaceful maple tree park and two-story pagoda at Mitaki Temple, then continue on to Hiroshima Kannin Marina, where you can take a peaceful stroll while enjoying the scenic waterfront.  Southeast of Hiroshima City, you may wish to visit Kure City, location of the Kure Maritime Museum, and by extension into the Inland Sea, the Ondo and Kurahashi areas. West of these quasi-islands are Etajima and Ogaki. If you are looking for quietude, nice beaches or great seafood restaurants, this is the area you will want to visit. Or, for an even more remote atmosphere with similar characteristics, the twin islands of Shimokamagiri and Kamagiri about 10-kilometers/6.2-miles to the east are recommended destinations.

Minagasuigenchi

Due east of Hiroshima City is the area appropriately named Higashi Hiroshima (east Hiroshima). The city of the same name is home to Hiroshima University and some of the nation's most-acclaimed sake (rice wine) breweries. If you are around in October, you will not want to miss the Saijo Sake Festival, where over 700 varieties can be tasted. But even if you are a teetotaler, there is still much to see in the way of historic buildings and parks, such as Minagasuigenchi with its 335-meter/1,099-foot tall wisteria trellis, and 7-kilometer stretch of waterside cherry trees that attract visitors from all around the region. Fudoin Temple is also a great place to view the cherry blossoms when they bloom in April.

South of this area, along the coastline, is Takehara, a region rich with ancient buildings and coastal islands. In Takehara City itself, there is a famed preservation area that dates back to the Edo period (mid-19th Century). This area and the several museums here could easily occupy you for a day. Otherwise, ferries to some of the islands may make for a wonderful diversion. Ohzaki-kamijima and Ohzaki-shimojima, located north and south, respectively, are highly popular destinations offering not much to do but relax. Then, on your return trip to the city, stop back in Eastern Hiroshima at Kaki-den to enjoy some fresh, delicious oysters.

Kosan-ji Temple

If island hopping turns into a hobby for you, there are plenty more to explore. Starting at Onomichi, the coastal region northeast of Takehara, where you can enjoy the Onomichi Betchya Festival, you can cross the Onomichi Bridge and follow a highway that runs through a handful of major islands all the way to Ehime Prefecture (parts of this new highway are still under construction). Your first stop is Mukaijima, famed for its high annual rainfall, which provides for lush scenery, and its scrumptious seafood. From there, you will pass to Innojima, another island famed for seafood, as well as its castle and lovely flower parks. Next stop is Ikuchijima, famous for, what else? Seafood. But do take a trip to the absolutely exquisite Kosan-ji Temple located in Setoda-cho. Onward to Ohshima, where you will find Ohyamajumi Shrine (a national treasure), several great museums, such as the Ohmishima Art Museum, and a number of quiet parks. The last two islands before Ehime, are Hakatajima and Ohshima. Both have roads that allow you to circle the islands and appreciate their unadulterated natural beauty.

Sea sick? Try the mountains. Hiroshima has plenty of them. But prepare yourself for a slower pace of life and a particularly rural setting. Miyoshi City is not attractive per se, but it is conveniently located off a major highway junction, making it a great place to launch your adventures into the countryside. But before you head out, stop in at the Miyoshi Becken Beer microbrewery to have a brew made with the areas incredibly pure water.  And where will you go from there? Kimitason, Funoson, Sakugison, Mirasaka-cho and Kisa-cho are all quaint valley villages that make for great day trips. Or simply grab a map, pick a point and go! It is hard to imagine a destination in the Hiroshima countryside that does not have its own unique charm.

Self-Guided Tours
Hiroshima Convention & Visitors Bureau (+1 81 82 261 1877/ http://www.hcvb.city.hiroshima.jp/e_navigator/course/index.html)
Hiroshima Tourist Navigator (+1 81 82 513 3389/ http://www.kankou.pref.hiroshima.jp/foreign/english/index.html)

Guided Tours

JALPAK (http://www.jalpak.com/tours/jp_optional_pkg/day_kyoto.aspx)
JTB Sunrise Tours (+1 81 75 341 1413/ http://www.jtb.co.jp/shop/itdw/info/e/hiroshima/hiroshima_miyajima1day.asp)

Boat Tours

Aqua Net Hiroshima (+1 81 82 240 5995/ http://www.aqua-net-h.co.jp/sekaiisan_course_english.html)

Air Tours

First Flying (+1 81 82 233 3123)

As one of Japan's major tourist destinations for foreigners and Japanese alike, Hiroshima possesses a wealth of options to keep everyone entertained.  From somber history to outdoor tranquility, there is much to explore.

World Heritage Sites

Hiroshima's two internationally famous "World Heritage Sites" are the city's major tourist attractions. The first is the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome, set in beautiful green surroundings in the central city and dedicated to world peace. This is the site of the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony held each August 6th in memorial to the victims and survivors of the 1945 atomic bomb attack. The ceremony is attended by guests from all over Japan and the world. That evening, Peace Park comes alive with music groups and the Lantern Floating Festival, where wishes are written on colorful paper lanterns and then floated down the Ota River, giving the impression of a sea of bright lights.

The second World Heritage Site is Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima, also classified as one of the "three most scenic spots" in Japan. The shrine and its gateway, which stands farther out in the waters of the Seto Inland Sea, are the focal point here, but Miyajima is also a wonderful spot for taking in the seasonal colors or hiking up Mt. Misen for a view of the Seto Inland Sea and the many nearby islands.

Festivals

Festivals are as much a feature of Hiroshima life as they are elsewhere in Japan. Summer equates to fireworks, a popular form of entertainment in any Japanese city, but the sheer number of ports and rivers here makes fireworks festivals an integral feature. Among the biggest and most attended fireworks displays is the Miyajima Suichu Hanabi Taikai. The seaside port town of Onomichi is also famous for its Sumiyoshi Festival. Other city summer festivals include Tokasan, the Kaki Matsuri and the Yukata Matsuri. For both of these events, one of the main streets is closed to vehicles and used instead for dance performance and as a place for groups of young girls to walk around displaying their colorful yukata (summer robe) fashions.

Sports

Another favorite summer pastime for Hiroshima residents is baseball. The regular Hiroshima Carp games at the Municipal Baseball Stadium can be heard all over the city, as excited fans cheer their home team. The baseball stadium also doubles as a performance venue that was the site of the opening ceremony of the 15th National Culture Festival in 2000.

Also related to sports, Hiroshima's Big Wave and Big Arch are certainly the largest and newest facilities for large events. Both were constructed in time to host the Asian Games in 1994. The Big Arch stadium now hosts a variety of events, such as home games of the local J-League Soccer team, San Frecce. The Big Wave complex has a 50-meter/164-foot indoor swimming pool, which doubles as an ice skating rink in winter. Another large sports and event venue is the prefectural sports facility, or Green Arena, which regularly hosts live concerts. Away from the city, the construction in recent years of a new international airport in Higashi Hiroshima has led the way for significant development in that area.  One such initiative is the sprawling Hiroshima City Forestry Park, a haven for cyclists, runners and recreational walkers or picnickers.

While you may not imagine Hiroshima to be much of a skiing paradise given its southern location, you may be surprised to learn that there are over 30 ski fields in the prefecture, many of them an easy 90-minute drive from the city center. Sundays in January and February see even the smallest of these become packed with skiers and snowboarders from as far away as Kyushu.

Museums

For art lovers, the city is home to the Hiroshima Museum of Art, the Prefectural Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. The latter is a striking new facility atop Mt. Hijiyama, and well worth the visit not only for its fine exhibitions but also its park-like surroundings and city views. The Prefectural Art Museum is located downtown right next to the Shukkeien Garden, a beautiful Japanese garden that can be enjoyed by the whole family, and a great escape from the bustling city.