Itsukushima, or Miyajima, is a small island near the city of Hiroshima, and home to one of Japanfs most important shrines. Itsukushima Shrine almost certainly dates to the 6th century, though the island itself may have been regarded as sacred much earlier. The records of the shrine itself say that t...
Miyajima has more than its fair share of wonderful buildings, but surely Senjokaku is one of the most atmospheric. The name, which means "Thousand Mat Hall" refers to the large, open floor space. Construction began in 1587 on the orders of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, but was left uncompleted following his...
Sake
Sake is one of the great pleasures of Japan, and despite some waning popularity in recent years is still regarded as the hallmark national drink
Sake is also called Nihonshu, which just means Japanese alcohol. The earliest written reference to sake comes from the third century AD, and the b...
Although its proper name is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the shattered ruins of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall are known around the world as the Atomic Bomb Dome. Designed by a Czech architect and completed in 1915, the building was only 150 meters from the hypocenter wh...
The Peace Memorial Museum’s main purpose is to sustain the memory of the events of August 6th, 1945. In meeting that purpose, it features exhibits educating visitors about the buildup to the war and the development of nuclear weapons, the city both before and in the days following the atomic bombing...
If you set out on foot from the Ropeway terminal at the top of Mt. Misen, youfll find the Reika-do Hall.
According to legend, this is the spot where the great monk Kobo Daishi performed ascetic practices in the year 806 AD. The founder of Shingon Buddhism, he is also called Kukai in Japan. Kukai i...
Among other things, Onomichi considers itself a great food town. Given its location on the Inland Sea, the seafood is especially fresh and abundant, and there are a number of excellent sushi shops around town, especially along the harbor. A number of dishes, including tsuboyakizushi, are claimed...
Fun with the Japanese Language
Most travelers to Japan limit themselves to a few travel oriented Japanese phrases and greetings. However, inevitably some will arrive with a more or less working knowledge of the language, or aspirations thereto, and that’s where the trouble can begin.
In the firs...
In 1620 Hiroshima's ruling Asano family ordered construction of a garden for their second home on the Kyobashigawa River, east of Hiroshima Castle. The garden was designed by the family's senior retainer, the renowned tea master Soko Ueda. Itfs often said that Ueda modeled the garden on Chinafs Xi H...
Most of Onomichi’s temples have a little real estate, but Senkoji, a symbol of the town, clings to the rock like a barnacle. Scarlet-lacquered and by far the most colorful of the temples you’ll pass in Onomichi, the temple is said to date to the year 806.
Senkoji belongs to the Shingon sect, and ...
In 1620 Hiroshima's ruling Asano family ordered construction of a garden for their second home on the Kyobashigawa River, east of Hiroshima Castle. The garden was designed by the family's senior retainer, the renowned tea master Soko Ueda. Itfs often said that Ueda modeled the garden on Chinafs Xi H...
The town of Saijo is part of the larger Higahi-Hiroshima city, about 30 kilometers east of Hiroshima city. Until the relocation of Hiroshima University from the city center in the 1980’s, Saijo was a quiet town whose primary industry was sake production. Now, of course, Saijo is a thriving universit...
The original Mori Terumoto was established in 1589 by Mori Terumoto, with construction carried out throughout the 1590's. Also called the Rijo, or Carp Castle, it was long considered an exceptional example of the flatlands castle, and was guarded by three moats, one of which remains.
Beginning i...
The largest city in the Chugoku region, Hiroshima might nevertheless be largely unknown outside Japan were it not for the events of August 6th, 1945. What is most remarkable about Hiroshima today, however, is the powerful testimony it offers to the strength and resilience of its people.
Most of H...
The original castle was established in 1589 by Mori Terumoto, with construction carried out throughout the 1590’s.
Also called the Rijo, or Carp Castle, it was long considered an exceptional example of the flatlands castle, and was guarded by three moats, one of which remains.
Beginning in the ...
