Hiroshima City広島市

Six rivers flow in this "City of Water." Restored from the devastation caused by the atom bomb.

Hiroshima City, facing the Seto Inland Sea, is one of the most prominent cities in the Chugoku region, and a center of the administration and economy of Hiroshima Prefecture. Six rivers flow through the city, so it is often called the "City of Water." It was devastated by an atomic bomb in World War II. All of the buildings in the surrounding area were destroyed. Hiroshima, where the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome) miraculously remained standing, is internationally known as the "City of Peace."

Hiroshima developed as a castle town after Mori Terumoto, a feudal lord, built Hiroshima Castle, nicknamed Ri-jo (carp castle), in the 16th century. There are a number of must-see places there, such as the Shukkei-en Garden, a miniature scenery garden, so named because of its miniaturized models of many scenic sites, such as Lake Xiyu (West Lake) in Hangzhou, China, and the old Mitaki-dera Temple, built in 809. The red Taho-to Tower at Mitaki-dera Temple was relocated from a shrine in Wakayama to serve as a memorial tower for the victims of the atomic bomb.

Hiroshima also offers a number of gastronomical pleasures, including oysters that are said to have been cultured there since the 16th century, and Hiroshima-style 'okonomi-yaki,' unique flour crepes fried with vegetables and noodles that are slightly different in flavor at each restaurant.