Hiroshima / Kure Area

The city of Hiroshima is the heart of Hiroshima Prefecture and is home to many tourist attractions. The Atomic Bomb Dome is a World Heritage Site. The busiest street in Central Japan and Shikoku is called Hatchobori, and it has many upscale boutiques and stores. Other important sites include the Hiroshima Castle with its rich history.

The Hiroshima Meipurupu (Maple Loop Bus) is a convenient way to sightsee the city of Hiroshima. For 400 yen, you can freely tour the major tourist sites in Hiroshima, including Hiroshima Castle, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the Nagarekawa District.

The city of Hiroshima has a well-developed transportation system, which makes it easy to get to other sightseeing spots. It takes about 45 minutes to get to Miyajima and about an hour to get to Onomichi, making it easy to get to other sightseeing spots.

• For more information, please visit the official website of Hiroshima City Tourism (https://visithiroshima.net/)
• Atomic Bomb Dome (https://visithiroshima.net/things_to_do/attractions/historical_places/a-bomb_dome.html)
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (http://hpmmuseum.jp/?lang=eng)
• Peace Memorial Park (https://visithiroshima.net/things_to_do/attractions/parks_and_gardens/peace_memorial_park.html)
• Hiroshima Orizuru Tower (https://visithiroshima.net/things_to_do/attractions/museums/hiroshima_orizuru_tower.html)
• Hiroshima Castle (https://visithiroshima.net/things_to_do/attractions/historical_places/hiroshima_castle.html)
• Hiroshima Maple Loop Bus (http://www.chugoku-jrbus.co.jp.e.aec.hp.transer.com/teikan/)

Miyajima, home to the World Heritage Site Itsukushima Shrine, is about 45 minutes from Hiroshima Station, accessible by boat or JR train. Miyajima has been worshipped as an island of the gods since ancient times, and the pristine nature of the island and the bustling tourist attractions can be seen side by side. At the Miyajima Aquarium, you can see fish and animals living in the Seto Inland Sea, including beluga whales.

Riding a rickshaw is a convenient way to explore Miyajima. From Itsukushima Shrine to Daisho-in Temple to the Miyajima Aquarium, you can tour various sightseeing spots with a guide. Some of the staff members are fluent in English, so you can tour with confidence.

• Visit the official Hatsukaichi Tourism website (https://www.city.hatsukaichi.hiroshima.jp/site/kanko/)
• Itsukushima Shrine (http://www.en.itsukushimajinja.jp/index.html)
• Daisho-in Temple (https://daisho-in.com/)
• Miyajima Aquarium/Miyaji Marine (https://www.miyajima-aqua.jp/english/)
• Mt. Misen (https://www.miyajima.or.jp/english/spot/spot_misen.html)
• Ebisuya Rickshaws (http://ebisuya.com/en/index.html)

The cities of Kure and Yasuura have many shipbuilding and naval facilities, including the Maritime Self-Defense Force Base Array at Sukojima, where you can see a real submarine up close and in detail. The Yamato Museum has materials related to the battleship Yamato, which was one of the largest battleships ever built. The Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Kure Archives (nicknamed the Iron Whale Museum) is a giant submarine displayed on land, and is particularly popular with fans in Japan and abroad.

Etajima Island, located in the Seto Inland Sea, is a famous cycling spot where you can rent bicycles to get to Kure and Hiroshima.

• The Yamato Museum (https://yamato-museum.com/eng/, https://yamato-museum.com/promotioncollaboration-with-missouri-memorial/)
• Alley Karasukojima [Japanese] (https://www.hiroshima-kankou.com/spot/3708)
• Iron Whale Museum (https://www.jmsdf-kure-museum.go.jp/en/)
• Etajima Cycling Route (https://visithiroshima.net/things_to_do/sports_and_activities/cycling/eta-jima_cycling_course.html)