Hiroshima Pop. 1.126 million

Explanation of Signs - Scenic tourist destination: the number of star (from 1 to 4 ) corresponds to the degree of excellence of the location. - Tourist destination with historic heritages and/or cultural assets: the number of star (from 1 to 4) corresponds to the importance of respective location. - Grade of YH facility. 3-star is for the standard grade, and 4-star is for the highest grade.

On August 6, 1945, the world's first atomic bomb had been dropped on the city of Hiroshima. The victims, including those who died of aftereffects, totaled almost up to 200 thousand, most of whom were ordinary citizens. Hiroshima became the symbolic city for world peace, after it had made the peace proclamation. 'A-bomb Dome', which stands in the hypocenter, is inscribed on the UNESCO's World Heritage List. Among the tourist interests, there are: 'A-Bomb Dome', 'Peace Memorial Museum', 'Hiroshima Castle', 'Shukkeien Garden', etc. [Access from major cities] Train / - Hakata St. <Shinkansen, Hikari> 1hr25min. (281km) Hiroshima St. - Shin Osaka St. <Hikari> 1hr45min. (342km) Hiroshima St. - Kyoto St. <Hikari> 2hr (381km) Hiroshima St. - Nagoya St. <Hikari> 3hr (528km) Hiroshima St. - Tokyo St. <Hikari> 4hr40min. (894km) Hiroshima St. Airplane / - Haneda Apt. (Tokyo) 1hr15min. Hiroshima Apt. - Sendai Apt. 1hr35min. Hiroshima Apt. - Shin Chitose Apt. (Sapporo) 2hr5min. Hiroshima Apt. - Hiroshima Apt. <bus> 1hr Hiroshima St. Long distance bus / - Nagasaki St. <bus> 9hr25min. (night bus) Hiroshima Bus Center. - Osaka (Abenobashi) <bus> 7hr45min. (night bus) Hiroshima St. - Kyoto (Shijo Kawaramachi) <bus> 7hr45min. (night bus) Hiroshima Bus Center. - Nagoya St. <bus> 8hr45min. (night run) Hiroshiam St. - Tokyo St. <bus> 12hr (night bus) Hiroshima St. [Food] Oyster in winter is one of the specialties of Hiroshima. Okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza) is also delicious. [Festival] Hiroshima Flower Festival: May 3-5, held near the Peace Memorial Park. Peace Festival: Aug 6-7 (Aug 6: Peace Memorial Service and Lantern Festival, Aug 7: Fireworks Festival, etc.) [YH in the area] Hiroshima YH tel 082-221-5343 Hiroshima Bayside-saka YH tel 082-885-0700 [Tips on sightseeing] At least one full day will be necessary to see the important places in the city. Bus tour visiting the tourist attractions and Miyajima is available on a regular basis. One-day Pass, giving access to railway lines and ferries operated by Hiroshima Dentetsu (ferry to/from Miyajima included) is available at Yen 840, and One-day Train Pass at Yen 600, both cost saving.

Main Route from Hiroshima to Okayama

Ondo- no- Seto Ships sail through the strait, as wide as 90 meters, where whirlpools rush by. The Ondo Grand Bridge traverses the strait. There are buses that go to old Karouto village on Kurahashi Island, located on the opposite side of the strait, or to Edajima Island where the old naval academy building remains. A day trip from Hiroshima to this area is feasible. A half-day or one full day is necessary for sightseeing. [Access] Hiroshima St.<JR local>45min. Kure St.<bus>25min. Ondo Ohashi Mihara / Setonaikai Setonaikai There are tens of inhabited islands floating in the water of the Seto Inland Sea. While network of ferryboats connect the entire area, many of them arrive at the ports on the Geiyo islands. Mihara and Onomichi are the two most convenient points of departure for passengers headed for one of these islands. Bus, which runs along the "Shimanami Kaido" highway, is also available. 'Kosanji Temple' on Ikuchijima Island is a long-standing, unique theme park, which shows replicas of famous temples and shrines in Japan. 'Oyamazumi Shrine' on Omishima Island, which enshrines gods of sea and the warriors, possesses many old arms and armors that have been designated as the national treasures. Views seen from aboard the ferryboats that cruise among those islands are superb. Buses for sightseeing tour depart from Fukuyama St. and Shin Onomichi St. [Access] - Hiroshima St. <JR, rapid> 1h Mihara St. <walk> 5min. Mihara-ko <jetboat> 25min. Okunojima. - Mihara-ko <jetboat> 25min. Ikuchijima(Setoda-ko). - Setoda-ko <bus> 20min. Ohmishima. [YH in the area] Setoda Shimanami YH (Ikuchijima) tel 08452-7-3137 Setoda YH (Ikuchijima) tel 08452-7-0224 Onomichi Onomichi is a graceful town, facing the strait. The town consists of hills and slopes, and appears in many novels. A half-day is required for sightseeing in the locality. [Access] Hiroshima St. <JR, rapid> 1hr15min. Onomichi St. [YH in the area] Kasaokaya YH tel 0865-63-4188 Kurashiki / Washuzan / Shimotsui Kurashiki is a port town prospered in the Edo period (17-19c.) Little moats, old buildings and houses with white mortar walls are well preserved in a historic quarter of the town. Ohara Art Museum, which boasts a fine collection of the post-Impressionist master-pieces, or 'Ivy Square', an old factory building renovated into a hotel, are on the must-see list. Washuzan Hill is a first-class observatory, which overlooks the panorama of the Seto Inland Sea. Shimotsui is a small, rustic port town. A day or two are required to see these three places at a time. Sightseeing bus, departing from Okayama railway station and visiting the town of Okayama and Kurashiki, is operated regularly. [Access] - Onomichi St. <JR, local> 1hr5min. Kurashiki St. - Okayama St. <JR, rapid> 10min. Kurashiki St. - Kurashiki St. <bus> 20min. Washuzan. - Okayama St. <JR, rapid> 30min. Kojima St. <bus> 22min. Washuzan. - Kojima St. <bus> 30min. Shimotsui. [YH in the area] Kurashiki YH tel 086-422-7355 Washuzan YH tel 086-479-9280

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