Hiroshima

Located in the southwest of Japan’s largest island – Honshu – and with a rich and varied history, Hiroshima prefecture is a draw for many tourists to the country and has also become the home to many expat settlers. Among its attractions are several parks that provide not just great scenery but also historical context to the area. Here is a selection of the best spots worthy of a visit. Peace Memorial Park One of Hiroshima’s most important and visited spaces, this park in the downtown area of the city spans across 120 square meters and has become a commemorative site for the victims of the 1945 bombing. Alongside the paths, trees and grassy areas, you can find monuments including the Peace Bell, the A-Bomb Dome (what remains of the former Industrial Promotion Hall) and the Cenotaph for the more than 200,000 victims. The park also contains a Peace Memorial Museum where you can learn about what happened to the city during the war. Website: Peace Memorial Park Shukkei-en Gardens Translating into English as “shrunken scenery garden”, this sumptuous 17th century garden in central Hiroshima is another of the city’s top tourist treats. Along its beautiful pathways, you can view…