View the landmarks of Hiroshima, some commemorating the atomic bomb blast here in 1945 and others reflecting the city’s celebration of peace. At the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, you will behold the ruins of some of the few concrete buildings left after the atomic bomb was dropped. One of them, the Atomic Bomb Dome, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and has become a symbol of Hiroshima. You will also browse the Peace Memorial Museum whose exhibits show Hiroshima before and after the bombing and personal artifacts from the victims that humanize the devastating event. The museum encourages visitors to make a vow for universal peace. While the mood there is somber, serenity is the overarching theme at Shukkei-en Garden. Besides being a wonderful respite from the hubbub of the city, the garden is a visual delight, as plants are always in bloom. Although the atomic bomb destroyed the garden, it has been fully restored.

Take the ferry to Miyajima, a small forested island known for its stunning natural beauty and ancient shrines. Upon arriving, you will first notice the giant red torii gate that rises up out of the ocean as if it were floating. The revered primary shrine is also built over the water and together these iconic attractions have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, as they illustrate the Japanese concept of scenic beauty, in which nature and human creativity harmoniously combine. If it is high tide, you will notice that the 12th-century shrine also seems to be floating on the water. To alleviate friction from the rising tides and more severe water conditions, the shrine’s wooden floors have spaces between the planks and were constructed without metal nails that would restrict the planks from moving with the tides. The shrine was established in the 6th century and a 12th-century warrior modified it into its present form.

Enjoy a panoramic drive through Hiroshima, pausing on occasion at attractions that highlight the city’s history and rise from near total devastation by an atomic bomb in 1945.

Your first stop for photos will be at the Atomic Bomb Dome, the only structure left standing near the epicenter of the atomic blast. While a stark, powerful reminder of the destructive force of an atomic bomb, the building has also become a symbol of peace and hope for the elimination of nuclear weapons. The skeletal remains of the dome stand exactly as they did right after the bomb blast. Continuing on, you will see a wonderful reconstruction of the 16th-century Hiroshima Castle, a historical building that the atomic bomb leveled. Rebuilt in 1958, the stone and wooden castle rises five stories above its immaculately landscaped grounds and is surrounded by a protective moat.