Hiroshima

Hiroshima is the second-largest city in the Chugoku region of Japan, located in the southwest of Honshu Island. On August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima by the United States Army Air Forces, making Hiroshima the first city struck by nuclear weapons.

Two World Heritage Sites in Hiroshima

The atomic bomb “Little Boy” exploded over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, destroying almost all the buildings within a few kilometers, and more than 70,000 people were killed. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built in the vicinity of ground zero, to commemorate the dead and pray for peace. The Atomic Bomb Dome near the park was one of the few witnesses.

Itsukushima (厳島), also known as Miyajima (宮島), is located in Hiroshima Bay in the Seto Inland Sea. This island is one of the Three Views of Japan, with several ancient shrines and temples, the most famous of which is the Itsukushima Shrine. As the family temple of the Taira clan (平氏), Itsukushima Shrine was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996. The huge red tori gate standing in the sea is the symbol and emblem of Itsukushima Shrine.

Itsukushima Shrine

Great Vermillion Torii in the Sea

Itsukushima Shrine is located on the north shore of Itsukushima Island in Hiroshima Bay, Japan, and has been considered a sacred place from ancient times that cannot be sullied. As one of the Three Views of Japan, Itsukushima Shrine is built over the sea, with a vermillion red torii sunk into the sea as the symbol and emblem of the shrine.