Because of the events of August 6,
1945, western Honshu's largest city
needs little introduction.
HIROSHIMA
has become a byword for the
devastating, horrific effects of the
atom bomb, and for this reason alone
millions visit the city every year
to pay their respects at the Peace
Park and museum. But more than
either of these formal monuments,
the reconstructed city - bigger,
brighter and more vibrant than ever
- is eloquent testimony to the power
of life over destruction. Where once
there was nothing but ashes for as
far as the eye could see, now stands
a modern city that still retains an
old-world feel with its trundling
trams and sunny disposition.
Poised on the coast at the
western end of the Inland Sea,
Hiroshima is also the jumping-off
point for several islands, most
notably verdant Miya-jima ,
home of the beautiful shrine Itsukushima-jinja
. The view out to the red torii
gate standing in the shallows in
front of the shrine is rightly one
of Japan's most celebrated, and
although the island is often swamped
by day-trippers it's a delightful
place to spend the night.
