Some people (Americans in particular) are hesitant to visit Hiroshima, though they shouldn’t. But then again, with fewer western tourists, it means smaller crowds than in places like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. As we all know, Hiroshima and Nagasaki are unique in world history, but from the violent past, Hiroshima was reborn into a modern cosmopolitan city of medium size.
The historic sites around the Hiroshima Peace Park are all easy to find and within short walks of one another, so choose a hotel near the center, and this city of 1.2 million will actually feel a lot more intimate. There are some amazing museums here, and not all of them focused on WWII.
Take the high speed Aquanet Heritage Boat from central Hiroshima to Miyajima Island where you’ll find the iconic vermillion floating tori gate in the water. Miyajima Island is a great place to spend the day, and include a ride on the Miyajima Ropeway to the top of the mountain that adorns the island. The view of the countless islands dotting Hiroshima Bay is stunning.
For something a little more out of the way Japan, take a train to Kure which is home to the Yamoto Museum which features an entire Japanese submarine out of the water and a huge replica of the Yamato, the largest battleship in the world. This place is full of 20th century history.
So don’t hesitate visiting Hiroshima due to its past, but embrace its future with full measure and enjoy!
Hiroshima is one of the more popular destinations in Japan, and for good reason. Of course there's its unique history with the atomic bomb drop on August 5, 1945 which is memorialized at the Hiroshima Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Dome. Then there's the iconic...
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