There is no doubt that the most historical and as a result the most popular location in Hiroshima City is the Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum. These 2 iconic locations always come up first on everyones agenda when planning a trip to Hiroshima, no matter whether you are Japanese or any other nationality from around the world.
It really is a bucket list location that we all must visit at least once in our lives and especially whilst traveling around Japan. In fact, all Japanese school students must visit Hiroshima and or Nagasaki at least once in their school education as mandated by Japanese law. For this reason, whether you are in Nagasaki or Hiroshima it is more than likely that you will encounter at least one school group at the Peace Park or Atomic Bomb Museum. I have been told numerous times by my clients that it was amazing and beautiful to see the next generations of Japanese youths being educated about the horrors of war and why we should try and attain peace for humanity to thrive.
For me personally, it had been about 6 years between visits to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park but it was just as I had remembered. The main attractions including the Prayer Fountain, Pond of Peace, Peace Flame, Bell of Peace and of course the main monument the Atomic Bomb Dome which is the most famous and iconic image as a result of these 2 devastating Atomic explosions during WW2.
However, what really delighted me, is to see the park being expanded and many more public spaces being created. The vibe and atmosphere of the area now is very different and the 2 separate parks have definitely improved the overall concept and image of the City. It is not just a sad and depressing place where contemplation of humanity is fore-front in every visitors minds but an area where vision and a strong, vibrant and positive future can be visualized by everyone. It is for these reasons that you could easily spend 2 or 3 hours just in the parks let alone the Peace Memorial Museum.
Our professional guides will be able to show you all the main sights both on and off the beaten track to leave you fully satisfied at days end.
Please check out the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on the map below:
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
The peace fountain
It's a very iconic view
The eternal flame
Always many school children
A place to contemplate
The peace bell
Lots of info to digest
The atomic dome
Close up
Powerful images are everywhere
So much to see
The symbol of Hiroshima
Entrance to the Museum
A place for all to enjoy
Main entrance
Please check out these videos below to see more of the Hiroshima Peace memorial Park:
There are 2 locations in Western Japan right now (both are on the main island of Japan- Honshu) that travelers just can't get enough of at the moment, and who can blame them!! They are just so intrinsically Japanese that everyone just wants to see and touch these magnificent locations.
The Motonosumi Inari Shrine is one of them! It is located in the far reaches of Yamaguchi Prefecture on the Sea of Japan side facing the 2nd largest city of Korea, namely Busan or Pusan depending on who you talk to. The location is so remote that basically without a car or a private driver you literally have no way of getting here. Even with a car you are still looking at considerable driving time from either Fukuoka or Hiroshima which seems to be where most of the tourists are coming from.
Now, before you jump on a tour this attraction does come with caveats. First and foremost, simple put when the weather isn't great, the attraction really doesn't live up to its reputation. However on a fine and sunny day you just cannot get enough of the locations beauty and its Japanese iconic image that is just so overpowering.
Just look at the contrast between these sets of photos to see where I am coming from.
The Motonosumi Inari Shrine on a rainy/ cloudy/ damp day:
As you can clearly see, the destination is still impressive but it doesn't have the wow factor that it usually has on a nice clear sunny day. Check out the difference, its like chalk and cheese. The bright red Vermillion Torii gates obviously needs a more significant bright background to shine and highlight their real identity.
Other the flip side, check out these photos of the red Vermillion gates on a beautiful winters day. This is the reason why people want to go and interact with such a place. A day like this will etch those memories deep into your memory banks. Even for me, who has been here multiple times in the last 3 or 4 years, a day like this makes the long drive well worth it.
Enjoy these pics and click on the photos to enlarge:
Check out the Motonosumi Inari Shrine here below on a map:
Learn more about the Motonosumi Inari Shrine from these videos below:
