Mount Misen is the 530-meter peak located on Miyajima. It is one of the primary attractions of the island, in large part because there is a cable car that takes visitors near the top. Of course, you could always hike, and the route is pleasant and short (about 15 minutes). On the mountaintop, there are various attractions worth visiting, including numerous old structures of religious significance.
Much of Hiroshima was reconstructed following the 1945 atomic attacks; few buildings of historical and/or cultural interest remain intact. An exception, along with Mitaki and Fudoin Temples, is Itsukushima Shrine on nearby Miyajima island. Suspended over the blue waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Itsukushima Shrine is traditional Shinto Japan at its best, blending unique architecture with the natural environment to create an aesthetic and spiritual whole. Its vermilion torii gate is a national treasure, its "floating" form an ethereal beauty that welcomes visitors into a world of serenity. The existing shrine dates back to the mid-16th Century but was constructed upon a design conceived of in the 12th Century. Built upon a pier, the temple seems to be afloat on the waters of the Bay, adding to its wholesome appeal. It was established by Kiyomori and dedicated to the goddesses he believed he owed his success to. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also home to several national treasures, such as the Heike Nōkyō, a set of thirty-two scrolls, each completed by a member of Kiyomori's family.
Like most spiritual places in Japan, Mitaki Shrine was built with an effort to achieve harmony with the surrounding landscape. In this case, that landscape includes 356-meter Mt. Soko and three streams that flow into waterfalls. These give the temple its name: "Three Waterfalls Temple." The maple tree park here is especially beautiful in the fall, when the leaves change color. A two-story pagoda and a wooden image of the Buddha Amida are both important cultural assets.
This museum is, from a moral and historical standpoint, one that perhaps all visitors to Hiroshima should visit. It contains heartbreaking and informative exhibitions and items connected with that fateful day in 1945. Historical records and contemporary exhibits can be explored here. A wealth of information in English is available for the international visitor. The museum is located in the Peace Memorial Park. Hours are seasonal.
One of the most beautiful sites in the city, Momijidani Park is a must visit site. This maple tree park is truly an aesthetically pleasing site with multiple red, green, brown and yellow shaded leaves. Home to over 200 species of maple trees, this is a fine spot to revel in a bit of serenity, away from the regular bustle of the city. Follow the cobbled path along the park and learn about some of the species of trees here, and be sure to have your camera ready, as you are certain to come across several picture-perfect sites.
Located in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Museum of Art is a lesson in the trajectory of European art, housed in modern Japan. The first room displays work by Romantics and Impressionists, while subsequent rooms proceed through post-Impressionism to Fauvism and Cubism, culminating in the Fourth Gallery and l'ecole de Paris. The second gallery of four rooms contains work by Japanese painters in oils, from the Meiji Restoration Era to the present.
If you wish to explore the Miyajima Island while satiating the outdoor enthusiast in you, then Paddle Park has just the right activity for you. Located a short distance away from the island, this center organizes kayak tours that traverse the Onoseto Strait, and later allow visitors to indulge in some sightseeing. Sight of the famous Torii Gate is sure to mark as a highlight of your tour along with cultural nuances of the island it calls home.
If you wish to explore Hiroshima's local music scene, there are not many places that are better than Live Cafe Jive in the city to do it from. While the club hosts musicians and artists from various backgrounds and genres, they do tend to lean towards blues, jazz, and rock. The place is pretty small with the performance area being pretty close to the seating areas, which allows guests to watch their favorite musicians from close quarters.
Mount Misen is the 530-meter peak located on Miyajima. It is one of the primary attractions of the island, in large part because there is a cable car that takes visitors near the top. Of course, you could always hike, and the route is pleasant and short (about 15 minutes). On the mountaintop, there are various attractions worth visiting, including numerous old structures of religious significance.
Constructed in 2009, the MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima is a massive stadium dedicated to the sport of baseball. With a staggering capacity to hold 32000 spectators, it is one of the biggest arenas in the vicinity. Even when there are no games held, there are tours done twice a day with disabled access provided as well.
Much of Hiroshima was reconstructed following the 1945 atomic attacks; few buildings of historical and/or cultural interest remain intact. An exception, along with Mitaki and Fudoin Temples, is Itsukushima Shrine on nearby Miyajima island. Suspended over the blue waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Itsukushima Shrine is traditional Shinto Japan at its best, blending unique architecture with the natural environment to create an aesthetic and spiritual whole. Its vermilion torii gate is a national treasure, its "floating" form an ethereal beauty that welcomes visitors into a world of serenity. The existing shrine dates back to the mid-16th Century but was constructed upon a design conceived of in the 12th Century. Built upon a pier, the temple seems to be afloat on the waters of the Bay, adding to its wholesome appeal. It was established by Kiyomori and dedicated to the goddesses he believed he owed his success to. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also home to several national treasures, such as the Heike Nōkyō, a set of thirty-two scrolls, each completed by a member of Kiyomori's family.
Like most spiritual places in Japan, Mitaki Shrine was built with an effort to achieve harmony with the surrounding landscape. In this case, that landscape includes 356-meter Mt. Soko and three streams that flow into waterfalls. These give the temple its name: "Three Waterfalls Temple." The maple tree park here is especially beautiful in the fall, when the leaves change color. A two-story pagoda and a wooden image of the Buddha Amida are both important cultural assets.