Moopon

1. Once visitors exit immigration and customs at Kansai Airport, visitors will be on the 1st floor. Follow the signs for “Railways”, taking one of the 4 escalators or 3 elevators to arrive at the 2nd floor.

2. Once on the 2nd floor, follow the signs to one of several walkways and walk across the road to Kansai-airport Station. Visitors need to exit the air terminal building to arrive at the JR Station (two separate buildings connected by a walkway). Two train companies use Kansai-airport Station: JR (blue/green) and Nankai (orange). Only JR can take visitor to the platform Haruka departing from. DO NOT use Nankai.

3. Before entering tickets gate, find JR Ticket Office where visitors can purchase ticket or reserved ticket for JR train.(there is a huge sign in English above their head).JR ticket office staff may or may not speak English, but they can read place names and train types written in the Roman alphabet. 

4. With one’s tickets, go through JR ticket gate and take an escalator to get to Platform 4.

The Mazda Motor Corporation　was founded in Hiroshima in 1920. It still keeps its corporate headquarters in the city of its birth place. Besides the headquarters, Mazda possesses a large plot of coastal land which accommodates R&D (research and development) laboratories, factories, and shipping facilities. The company museum and part of a factory are made available to visitors.

Although Mazda is not as large as Toyota, Mazda plays a large role in Hiroshima's economy, like Toyota dose to Nagoya.  Producing over a million cars a year, It is an innovative player in the Japanese auto industry. For instance, in 1991 Mazda became the first and only Japanese company to win the Le Mans Grand Prix with 787B. Mazda continues efforts to create more efficient vehicles include improving its version of rotary engines.

Reservations are required for the Mazda Museum tour and can be made by telephone or via its website, the URL is below. Reservations can be made up to a year beforehand. Tours for individual travelers are offered once a day in English and Japanese.

Visitors to the museum are first gathered at the Mazda head office building. When the tour is scheduled to begin, a Mazda tour guide leads visitors onto a bus to take them to the museum building on the close to grounds of Mazda's Hiroshima Plant.

The museum offers a　digest of Mazda's history, such as a look into the expectancy for its future developments and the technology of its automobiles. The tour then goes through an actual vehicle assembly line, where a variety of different car models being produced. Final location is a shop where Mazda goods are sold. The tour takes a total of 90 minutes.

Access Information

From the JR Hiroshima Station, board a local train to Mukainada（向洋） Station. The one-way journey takes about 5minutes with a cost of 190yen. From arrival station the Mazda Head Office can be reached in a five minute walk.

Facility Information

Tours of the Mazda Museum and Factory are held daily, except weekends and company holidays. The starting time of the English tour is at 10:00 and the Japanese tour at 13:30. The full-length of the tours is around 90 minutes. The tour is free of charge, but a reservation must be made in advance by phone or e-mail.

Mazda official site for reservation http://www.mazda.com/en/about/museum/reservations/

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (広島平和記念公園 ), located in downtown Hiroshima, is the site of where the first atomic bomb was dropped at 8:15 am on August 6, 1945.  The park is dedicated to the victims of the atomic bomb. The park promotes peace while reiterating the horrors of nuclear war.

Within this spacious park visitors will find many structures reflecting peace.  On Peace Boulevard, behind the fountain is the Peace Memorial Museum. Here visitors can witness and learn about Hiroshima’s history and struggle after the attack.

Visitors will see an arched structure, the Memorial Cenotaph, located in the middle of the park. The names of all of the victims of the bomb are written here with the inscription “Let all the souls here rest in peace for we shall not repeat the evil." The structure was constructed on August 6, 1952, with the arch shape reflecting the souls of the victims.

The Peace Flame behind the Cenotaph has been continuously lit since 1964. With a prayer of internal peace, the flame will remain lit until all nuclear weapons have been destroyed and the world is free from the threat of a nuclear war.

Hiroshima Memorial, or commonly known as the Atomic Bomb Dome, lies at the end of park, near the streetcar street (Aioi Street). Known as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall at the time, this is the only remaining building near the bomb’s epicenter. Though there was some controversy whether the building should be torn down or preserved, it was decided the Atomic Bomb Dome is an important part of local as well as world history. Though the Dome has been reconstructed a few times, the original architecture was always been preserved in remembrance of the victims.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is the site of the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony held on August 6. There are peace exhibits throughout the park as well as narratives from the survivors of the atomic bomb, storytelling activities for children. Near the Peace Memorial Museum, visitors can find information about experiences translated in English.

On that day, i the evening, paper lanterns illuminated by candles are floated down the river next to the park. For a nominal fee, visitors can create their own paper lantern, with their own message of peace, to be floated down the river. Once the lantern is created, the volunteers will assemble the lantern and assist visitors in floating the lantern. Please be aware, as many people wish to participate in this tradition, there is usually a long line to float the lantern. Whether involved in the creation or not, all visitors to the park can view the paper lanterns floating down the river, the candlelight illuminating the black water.
 

Located near Hiroshima Station, visitors to Hiroshima’s mini-Kyoto garden, Shukkeien (縮景園) are able to view Japan’s seasonal beauty, reflected through nature. A popular spot for tea ceremonies, cherry blossom/autumn foliage viewing, this tranquil garden is visited by locals and tourists.

The name Shukkeien is loosely translated as "shrunken-scenery garden," which is also a good description of the garden. Visitors will find mini-valleys, mini-mountains, even mini-forests within the garden's landscapes. Through carefully cultivated land and vegetation, the garden mimics a variety of natural formations and scenic views.

Shukkeien has a long history dating back to 1620, just after the completion of Hiroshima Castle. The garden displays many features of the traditional aesthetics of Japanese gardens. Around the garden's main pond there are a number of tea houses which offer visitors ideal views of the surrounding scenery.

The entire garden is connected by a recommended path which leads visitors around the pond at the center of the garden. The path passes through all of Shukkeien's various miniaturized sceneries. Following this path around the garden is the best way to enjoy Shukkeien.

Shukkeien is a 15 minute walk from Hiroshima Station. Alternatively, it is a few steps from "Shukkeien-mae" tram stop along tram line 9. From Hiroshima Station, take tram line 1, 2 or 6 to Hacchobori and transfer to tram line 9. The entire journey takes about 15 minutes and costs 160 yen.

The garden has Japanese-style café, offering green tea, sweets, and so on.

Facility Information: 
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October to March) 
Closed: December 29th to 31st
Admission: 260 yen

Visitors to Hiroshima will find the downtown area of the city located in the center of the city, unlike other Japanese cities. In most Japanese cities, the downtown area is located near the train station. However, in Hiroshima, though the station area has shopping, dining facilities, the commercial and entertainment center, Hiroshima downtown is located in central Hiroshima.

About 10 to 15 minutes away by streetcar from Hiroshima Station, visitors can find many things to do in this area. Visitors looking to purchase electronic items are recommended to visit Tax Free havens Edion or Yamada Denki. Another popular Tax Free store is Don Quixote, located along Chuo Dori near Okonomiyaki Mura (okonomiyaki village).

Hiroshima’s soul food, okonomiyaki is a layered cabbage/pork pancake, containing soba or udon noodles. Though okonomiyaki restaurants are located throughout Hiroshima, there is a high concentration of okonomiyaki stores in the downtown area. Located behind Parco Department Store is “Okonomiyaki Mura”, a building with only okonomiyaki shops.

In addition to the departments stores, SOGO, Fukuya and Mitsukoshi located in the downtown area, visitors will find a pedestrian only, shopping arcade street “Hondori”.  The covered arcade begins near Peace Park, the mini bridge located near the middle of the park, and stretches about one and half kilometers.  Visitors will find stores such as Daiso (100 yen store), convenience store (Lawson), clothing stores and more. Chain coffee shops such as Tully’s and Starbucks are located along Hondori as well as the main branch of the Danish bakery “Anderson’s.”

Hondori is an interesting area. There are chain stores as well as small family owned shops. Visitors can wander the small streets emerging from the main Hondori street to find treasures (such as a vintage Japanese toy shop) or more chain stores (such as the convenience store 7-11). At night, once the stores close, there are street performers. As the performances are not organized, it is difficult to what visitors may encounter. However, common examples of street performers in the Hondori area include guitar/singer performers, fortune tellers, and so on.

The Shimanami Kaido Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge, is the toll road which connects Honshu (Japan’s main island) with Shikoku. Visitors on the Honshu side can access this bridge from Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture while Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture is the access point from Shikoku. The bridge spans across the Seto Inland Sea which ramps on 6 Seto Inland Islands (Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oshima) allowing its users to visit these islands on their way to their destination.

With automobile lanes as well as separate bicycle and pedestrian paths, cycling and driving are popular options to access this 60 kilometer long toll road with its beautiful Seto Inland Sea scenery. However, there are bus services for those who wish to sit back and let someone else steer them along this bridge.

There are few direct buses between Onomichi and Imabari. There is one bus every three hours. The one-way journey takes about an hour and a half with a cost of 2250 yen. Visitors who do not mind transferring from the highway bus to the local bus at the Innoshima Ohashi bus stop will find the buses are more frequent. In case, please estimate the one-way journey to be an hour and a half to two hours with a cost of 2500 yen.

There are highway buses from Imabari Station to Fukuyama (in Hiroshima Prefecture). The one-way journey is about an hour and a half with a cost of 2400 yen. There is one bus every hour. For visitors to Hiroshima City, there is a highway bus from Imabari Station as well. In this case, the one-way journey will take about two and a half hours with a cost of 3700 yen. There are three buses per day.

There are local bus lines from Onomichi City which can take visitors to:
** Innoshima Island (Ohashi Bus Stop and Habu Port)
**Ikuchijima Island (Kosanji Temple and Setoda Port)

There are many ways to explore Shimanami Kaido Bridge. Whether by bus, ferry, cycle or private automobile, enjoy the islands and discover all Japan has to offer!

Noodle lovers will enjoy the variations of the noodles Japan has to offer. From thick udon noodles, to the various types of soba and ramen, there are many types of noodles which are prepared in a variety of different styles and flavors.

Hiroshima Tsukemen is a Hiroshima born noodle dish available throughout Hiroshima with some shops in Tokyo and Osaka featuring this Hiroshima delicacy as well. A cold, spicy dish, tsukemen is available throughout the year, though popular in the summer.

Tsukemen consists a bowl of cold noodles with vegetables and a dipping sauce. The sauce is spicy, though diners can make a request as to the level of spiciness they desire (the higher the number, the spicier the sauce).  As the noodles have no flavor, diners dip the noodles in the spicy sauce before consuming. Though there is a difference among tsukemen shops, diners who order tsukemen can expect sliced pork, hard or soft boiled egg, boiled vegetables and cucumbers to be served with their noodles and spicy sauce. Most diners will dip the garnishing in the dipping sauce as well before consuming.  

Though tsukemen shops are located throughout Hiroshima, the downtown area has its fair share of tsukemen shops. As it is a popular midnight snack after a night out, visitor will find many tsukemen with late operating hours in the drinking areas around the Nagarekawa Area.

Daisho-in Temple (大聖院), one of the most important temples of Shingon Buddhism, is located at the base of Mount Misen, on the island of Miyajima in the Seto Inland Sea.  This is where the sect's founder, Kobo Daishi, first began the practice of Buddhism on the island of Miyajima.

Within Daisho-in Temple, visitors can admire a variety of buildings, statues and other religious objects. Among these are the Kannon-do Hall, the Maniden Hall, a sand mandala made by visiting monks from Tibet, a tea room and a cave filled with 88 icons representing the temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.  

Visitors have a chance to perform an interesting Buddhist ritual while walking up the temple's steps. Along the stairs, visitors can find a row of spinning metal wheels that are inscribed with sutra (Buddhist scriptures). If one turns the inscriptions as one walks up the stairs, it is believed to have the same effect as reading the inscriptions. So, without any knowledge of Japanese, one can receive the blessings that the reading of sutra is believed to provide.

From Daisho-in's Temple grounds, there is a hiking trail which leads to the summit of Mount Misen, where a few more temple halls are located. The ascent takes about 1.5 hours.

Facility Information
Hours: 8:00 to 17:00
Closed: Open all year round
Admission: Free

Access Information
Daisho-in Temple is a five minute walk from Itsukushima Shrine or a 15 minute walk from the Miyajima ferry pier.    

Ota Residence, located in Tomonoura Town, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, belonged to a family who brewed homeishu—a local medicinal liquor—in the late 17th Century. 

Business prospered from 1710 to the onset of the Meiji Period when the family was granted monopoly over the homeishu production.  When the business took a downward turn, the residence was sold.  However, the new owner has preserved many o f the traditional features of the building. 

Visitors are able to view the multiple tatami mat rooms, tea rooms, and homeishu storehouse.

Facility Information
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (last entry at  16:30)
Closed: Tuesdays (if Tuesday is a national holiday then the residence will be closed the following day) and from Dec 29th to Jan 1st 
Admission: 400 yen

Fukuzenji Temple【福禅寺】

Fukuzenji Temple offers the arguably most famous view at Tomonoura - that of the nearby Bentenjima Island and Sensuijima Island through the veranda of the temple. As a side note, the temple also houses a statue of Maria Kannon, who is Virgin Mary made to look like the Buddhist Bodhisattva Kannon during the Edo Period, when Christianity was banned in Japan and Christians had to practice their religion in secret.

 
Hours: 8:00 to 17:00
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 200 yen

Surrounded by water, it seems only appropriate there would be an aquarium displaying its neighboring creatures on the island of Miyajima, located in the Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima Prefecture.  Located on the far western end of the island, the Miyajima Public Aquarium (宮島水族館) was rebuilt and reopened in August 2011 to offer even better information and services to all who visited the facility.

The aquarium houses creatures of the sea residing in both salt water and fresh water. Visitors can view sea life from the waters surrounding Miyajima, Seto Inland Sea as well as from various bodies of water around the world.  Visitors will encounter various aquatic unique displays such as the oyster farm, showing how Hiroshima’s specialty, the oysters are grown. The aquarium has an interactive section for children to touch sea creatures such as starfish and other “safe” sea life. At designated times during the day, the aquarium hosts sea lion shows which bring laughter and delight to visitors of all ages. In addition to the sea lion show, the aquarium has a penguin parade for visitors to see the penguin at a closer distance.

Facility Information
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:00)
Closed: from December 26th to 30th
Admission: 1400 yen

Access Information:
on foot:
**10 minutes from Itsukushima Shrine
**20 minutes from Miyajima Ferry Port