The symbol of world peace, Hiroshima. Miya-jima Island symbolized by the Grand Torii Gate in the Sea.

Hiroshima is situated at the center of the Chugoku region in western Honshu, the main island of Japan. In'no-shima Island and 150 other islands are located in the in the nearby Seto Inland Sea.

The Chugoku Mountains, rising to a height of some 1,000 meters, extend from east to west in the northern part of Hiroshima, with highways and national routes crossing mountain passes to connect the prefecture with areas along the Sea of Japan. The plains are narrow and the coastlines are mostly saw-toothed coasts, with mountains drawing close to the shore.
Nature abounds in Hiroshima Prefecture, which is surrounded both by ocean and mountains. Attractions include Setonaikai (Seto Inland Sea) National Park, Hibadogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park, and West Chugoku Mountains Quasi-National Park. Hiroshima City is known to the world as the first city ever attacked by an atomic bomb. There you will find the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome(Genbaku Dome), which symbolizes the importance of world peace. Adjacent to the Genbaku Dome, which has been inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage Site, is the Peace Memorial Park.

Itsuku-shima-jinja, the shrine inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage Site along with the Genbaku Dome in 1996, is located on Miya-jima Island. It is said to be one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan, and has been designated as a nation's historic site. Its symbol is the Great Torii Gate (shrine gate) that stands in the sea.

A World Cultural Heritage Site. A focus on peace, and the retelling of the horrors of atomic bombs.

The Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome) is the symbol of Hiroshima, a city that advocates peace throughout the world. The dome is located in the city, facing Hiroshima Bay in the Seto Inland Sea, and was originally the Hiroshima Industrial Promotion Hall, built in 1915. While all surrounding structures were destroyed in the atomic bomb explosion, this building miraculously remained standing. It was 6 August 1945 when the first atomic bomb ever used in combat was dropped on Hiroshima. People from all over the world visit the dome to resolve never to repeat this tragedy, and to offer a wish for peace.

Bare, scorched steel sticks out from the roof and collapsed walls. This miserable half-demolished figure expresses the dire devastation of the bombing that occurred in those days, the sins of war, and the preciousness of peace in the future. In 1996, the dome was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Peace Memorial Park is located next to the Atomic Bomb Dome. There you will find the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, a number of monuments for peace, a tower erected for the repose of the souls of the victims of the atomic bomb, a memorial tower, and a fountain with an eternal Flame of Peace. Flocks of doves, a symbol of peace, are often seen flying around the park.

Ancient center for marine traffic in the Seto Inland Sea. The Taho-to Tower is one of the three most famous towers.

Onomichi, situated in southeastern Hiroshima, faces the Seto Inland Sea and stretches out from east to west. It is a scenic port town that has thrived as a center for marine traffic in the Seto Inland Sea.

There are many old temples in Onomichi. Senko-ji Temple, located halfway up Mt. Senkoji-san, is noted for its bright red main sanctuary, called the "Red Hall," that is cleverly laid out on the slope of the mountain. Jodo-ji Temple which is famous for the Taho-to Tower, one of the three most famous towers in Japan, offers an elegant view of the straight line formed by the main sanctuary and the other structures, which were built in an ancient Chinese style. Another must-see is Saikoku-ji Temple, where a huge Japanese sandal, over two meters in length, is suspended from the Nio-mon Gate.