Hiroshima, the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture in western Japan, is a city of profound history and resilient spirit, rebuilt after the 1945 atomic bombing into a vibrant modern metropolis devoted to peace. Its emotional core is the Peace Memorial Park, with the skeletal A-Bomb Dome, the Cenotaph, the Children’s Peace Monument, and the moving Peace Memorial Museum.
Just offshore, the island of Miyajima is home to the iconic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan’s most photographed sights. In the city, the rebuilt Hiroshima Castle and the tranquil Shukkeien garden add further depth, while Okonomimura serves the local layered okonomiyaki.
The best time to visit is spring (late March to early April) for cherry blossoms or autumn (November) for fall foliage, both offering mild, pleasant weather; allow two days, plus one for Miyajima.