Hiroshima: Much more than you think

For most people, the name Hiroshima evokes certain historical associations. However, outside the memorial complex, a completely different city opens - with a rich past, peculiar architecture and an unexpected variety of interesting places.

Here you can walk through the territory of Hiroshima Castle, relax among the ponds and pavilions of the Shukkeien Garden, look into ancient temples or wander around the quarters that have preserved the features of Japan in the middle of the XX century. And near the busy city streets there are quiet bamboo groves.

The surroundings of Hiroshima deserve a separate trip. On the island of Miyajima, considered sacred for centuries, is the famous sanctuary of Itsukushima with its huge torii gates towering over the waters of the Inland Sea of Japan. Quite different impressions await in the Sandan-kyo gorge: forested mountains, steep cliffs and narrow water passages, along which you can make a small boat trip.

There are also places to better understand the country’s industrial and military history. Hiroshima is the birthplace of Mazda, where its museum operates. And in the port city of Kure is the Yamato Museum, dedicated to Japanese shipbuilding and naval history. Its main exhibit is a large-scale model of the famous battleship Yamato.

This photo album contains different facets of Hiroshima and its surroundings: historical monuments, old city quarters, modern technologies, seascapes and mountain gorges. All this is relatively close to each other, but allows you to see Japan from completely different sides.