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.

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

An old fashioned town located along the Seto Inland Sea in the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, Onomichi (尾道) has many interesting sites and places for locals and tourists to explore. In addition to the temples, museums, parks and gardens, Onomichi is the “Honshu” mainland point for the Shimanami Kaido Bridge.  And is the major port for the small islands within the Seto Inland Sea.

Onomichi is the home to many temples. In the past, rich merchants donated money to build temples within the port town to ensure prosperity. Visitors may choose to explore Onomichi’s famous “Temple Walk” which leads visitors to 25 temples. However, as Onomichi is also famous for its steep slopes, proper footwear is recommended. 

Onomichi is the home to many respected authors, such as Fumiko Hayashi, author of “Horoki” (“Vagabond’s Song” in English) which was adapted into the anime “Wandering Days.” Artists will enjoy looking the museums such as the Hirayama Museum, famous for Artist Hirayama’s Silk Road desert landscapes paintings of Iran, Iraq and China. Many movies have been filmed here, including Yasujiro Ozu’s globally famous film “Tokyo Monogatari.” 

Cyclists love Onomichi and its access to the Shimanami Kaido Bridge, the bridge which connects Honshu to Shikoku. The Shimanami Kaido Bridge has exits and entrances for drivers and cyclists to visit the small islands lying in the Seto Inland Sea. Onomichi, being the Honshu home of the bridge, has cycle rental stores, repair stores, even bicycle storage for those who opt the island hopping via ship.

Yet, there is more to the city of Onomichi. From the old-fashioned family owned business in the covered shopping arcade near the train station, to the modern U2 cycling support facility, there is something for everyone here. Traditional Japan meets Modern Japan with family fun festivals such as the summer fireworks festival or autumn Betcha Matsuri (where local “demons” run around hitting children on the head to knock some sense into them). Beautiful cherry blossom parks in the spring, artwork and history, cycling and temple touring…all available in the small, port city of Onomichi.

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.

Kosanji Temple (耕三寺) located on Ikuchijima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, has the tranquil qualities found in a Buddhist temple while displaying both modern and traditional Buddhist artistic elements.

Founded by Koso Kosanji, in gratitude to his mother, the construction of the temple took over 30 years.  Within the temple grounds, visitors can appreciate the replicas of famous Japanese structures such as Nikko Toshogu's Yomeimon Gate and Byodoin's Phoenix Hall. In addition, within the temple is a long cave containing images portraying Buddhist hell.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the Miraishin no Oka or the Hill of Hope also located within the temple grounds.  Though not having any religious function, Miraishin no Oka was designed and created by an internationally renowned sculptor using Italian white marble and granite.

Kosanji Temple houses other artwork including the works of Buddhist sculptors, painting, modern art and objects relating to Japanese tea ceremony within its main grounds.

Facility Information
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Opened All Year Round
Admission: 1200 yen

Access Information:
By bicycle
30 kilometers from Onomichi, the temple is located along the Shimanami Kaido cycling route

By ferry
From Onomichi Ekimae Port (located in front of Onomichi Train Station), take the ferry to Sawa Port or Setoda Port on Ikuchijima Island. The journey will take 40 minutes with a cost of 820 yen one way per person and 160 yen for a bicycle.  There are 9 ferries per day.  From either port, the temple is 15 minutes by foot.

By bus
From Onomichi Station board the local bus bound for Setoda Port. On the way to the port, the bus will stop in front of the temple. The journey will take 1 hour with a cost of 1010 yen one way. There is one bus every two hours.

The “floating torii gates” within the Seto Island Sea invites visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Itsukushima Shrine　（嚴島神社） located on the beautiful island of Miyajima, in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Itsukushima Shrine has been a Shinto holy site from very early times. In 1168, Taira no Kiyomori, the most powerful man in Japan during the end of the Heian Period, selected the island as the site of his clan's family shrine and built Itsukushima Shrine. The shrine complex consists of multiple buildings, including a prayer hall, a main hall and a Noh theater stage, which are connected by boardwalks and supported by pillars above the sea.

The shrine and its torii gate are unique in that they were constructed over water. Because of this they appear to float in the sea during high tide. At low tide, the water drains out of the bay. During this time, visitors have the opportunity to walk out and see the gates up close.

The shrine is located on a small inlet, while the torii gates are constructed in the Seto Inland Sea. Visitors can enjoy walking along the paths leading to the shrine while looking at the sea. After sunset, the shrine and the torii gate are illuminated.  Entry into Itsukushima shrine is not permitted at night.  However, visitors can enjoy the illuminated view by spending the night at one of the many ryokans (Japanese inns) on the island.

Alternatively, tourists can view the illuminated island from boat cruises. Though the length may vary, typically, cruises last thirty minutes and take passengers around the bay and through the torii gate (during high tide only). Reservations are required but can be easily made through one's ryokan or at the tourist information desk.

Facility Information
Hours: 6:30 to 18:00 (closing time changes according on the season)
Closed: Opened all year round
Admission: 300 yen (500 yen for combined entry to the Treasure Hall)

Visitors to the beautiful island of Miyajima, located in the city of Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, are often entranced by the mystical Mount Misen located on the island. 

Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect and a prominent religious figure, brought Buddhism to the mountain in 806, the first year of the Daido era. In addition to the Buddhist structure, the mountain is home to a variety of unusual plants, a platform for beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea and a fun mountain course for trekkers.

Visitors to the island have the option of ascending Mount Misen on foot or via ropeway.  Visitors have a choice of three hiking trails: the Momijidani Course, the Daisho-in Course and the Omoto Course.

**The Momijidani Course begins in Momijidani Park, located near the lower ropeway station. With a length 2.5 kilometers, it is estimated the hike should take about an hour and a half to two hours to arrive at the summit.  This route will take hikers along the Momiji river.  Though the route is quite steep at times, hikers will encounter rare plant life, like the primitive Angiospermal here.  Unusual shaped rocks such as “Sakura Rock” and “Screen Rock” can be found here.  As the trail leads into the forest, autumn and the changing colors is beautiful time on this trail.

****The Omoto course begins at Omoto Park, near the Omoto Shrine, a little past Miyajima Aquarium. The 3.2 kilometer trail has an estimated hiking time of 2 hours to the summit. There are steep parts along the trail but hikers will find a lot of history along this trail. At the beginning of the course, hikers will find 100 year old large fir trees along the trail leading into the Komaga Forest, the second largest forest in Misen.  Hikers will enjoy natural and spiritual delights along this route. The giant “Fuji Rock” where Kobo Daishi secluded himself is located on this trail.

**The Daisho-in Course begins in front of the Nioh Gate of Daishoin Temple. The estimated hike time for the 3 kilometer trial is 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours (to the summit). Though there are many stone steps, the scenery is breathtaking. The Shiraito Falls are along this course. At the sixth marker stone (near Satomiya Mura), there is a spot where hikers can view the Torii Gates. A guardian deity for children is also along this trail.

Visitors also have the option to utilize the Miyajima Ropeway. The Ropeway will take visitors from the foothills of the mountain to Shishiiwa Observatory.  From Shishiiwa Observatory, visitors can view the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. 

From Shishiiwa Observatory, visitors wishing to advance to the summit will need to advance on foot. The summit is 100 meters from the upper ropeway station along a rather steep rock road. The estimated hiking time from Shishiiwa Observatory to the summit is 30 minutes.
Please note: though the summit was an observation tower, presently neither food nor beverages are sold. Visitors are able to purchase beverages at the good luck-souvenir shop next to Kiezu-no-Reikado Hall, during the shop’s operating hours.

Along the route to the summit, hikers will come across a plateau with religious structures. The Misenhondo (the Main Hall) is the holy hall Kobo Daishi built for 100 day Buddhism training sessions. In the Kiezu-no-Reikado Hall is the holy fire Kobo Daishi used for his religious training. This flame has been burning for over 1200 years. Visitors to the Kiezu-no-Reikado Hall can help themselves to a cup of the hot tea brewed over the flame.
It is believed water boiled this flame will heal various ailments. The fire from the Kiezu-no-Reikado Hall was used to light the Flame of Peace in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park.

From the plateau, there are trails to other religious structures or deities. Among the structures is Miyamajinja Shrine. This shrine enshrines the same deities as Itsukushima. With a beautiful view from the shrine, a sense of tranquility can be felt while visiting this shrine.  From the plateau containing Kiezu-no-Reikado Hall, it is an estimated ten to fifteen minute walk.

From the Kiezu-no-Reikado Hall plateau it is a 10 minute hike to the summit of Mount Misen.  Near the entrance to the summit, hikers will see a large rock they may need to duck under. Known as the “Kugiri-iwa” the origins are unknown. Various “strange” rocks can be found near or at the summit.

At the summit, there is a rock structure with a sign signifying the summit of Mount Misen. There is an observatory tower/rest area at the summit. Many hikers use this tower to rest or eat lunch boxes while breathing in the fresh air. Visitors can view the Seto Inland Sea from 360 degrees without any obstructions. As said by the first Prime Minister of Japan Itoh Hirobumi “The true value of the Number 1 of the Japan’s three most beautiful spots is in the view of the top.” Though Miyajima has more than its share of beautiful spots, the view from the summit of Mount Misen is truly special.

Hiroshima most famous and favorite souvenir would have to be Momiji Manju, sweet maple-shaped cakes with various fillings.

Visitors to Hiroshima can find souvenir boxes of momiji manju at department stores, train/airport kiosks and various souvenir stores in the Hondori Shopping Street and Miyajima Island.

There are many tales concerning the origin of the maple leaf shape of these sweets. Among the most famous is that the sweets were created by an observation made by Japan’s first Prime Minister Itoh Hirobumi. Itoh Hirobumi loved Miyajima and would often visit the island and the sacred Misen Mountain. Once during a visit in fall, Hirobumi saw the delicate hands of a young girl serving him tea and exclaimed, “Your hand is like a maple leaf!”  This sparked an idea within the proprietress of an inn, who had her baker create sweets in the maple leaf shape.

In the past, each momiji manju was handmade. However with the onset of technology, they are now produced using machines. Visitors can see the machines in many of the momiji manju stores on Miyajima Island and in some stores in Hiroshima city. Also, there are momiji manju making workshops available for visitors whoh have a desire to create this nationwide favorite Japanese confectionary. One of the places which offers momiji manju making workshops on a regular basis is the Miyajima Traditional Crafts Center. This workshop is offered every day except on Mondays, when the center is closed. Though a small fee will be charged, visitors can create their own momiji manju in about an hour.

Momiji manju has a variety of different fillings.  Traditionally, the sweets were filled with red bean paste, or anko.  However, nowadays the flavors have expanded to additional Japanese flavors of smooth bean paste or koshian, lightly crushed bean paste or tsubuan, white sweet beans or shiroan, chestnuts with bean paste or kurian, green tea or matcha as well as foreign-ish flavors of cheese, chocolate and cream. Hiroshima Seto Inland Sea’s Lemon is new addition as well as various other seasonal flavors.

Though usually baked and eaten solo, the way momiji manju is partaken is expanding. Visitors may wish to try an unbaked “rare” momiji manju. Visitors may find momiji manju in Japanese parfaits in Hiroshima. On Miyajima Island, there are stores which deep-fry momiji manju. The bread like coating is quite crispy with the filling creamy. Be careful not to burn the tongue as cream or cream is quite hot once deep fried.

Whether purchasing a box as a souvenir for friends back home or sampling an individual momiji manju, this small piece of Japanese delight is a delicious symbol of Hiroshima.
 

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.    

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