Hiroshima & Miyajima: Reflection, resilience, and sacred landscapes

What does resilience look like? In Hiroshima and Miyajima, it takes two powerful forms: remembrance and reverence. Journey from the sobering history of Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park to the serene beauty of a sacred island, where forests, shrines, and sea come together in quiet harmony…

Some places invite awe, others reflection. Hiroshima and Miyajima do both. Together, they tell a story of loss and resilience, of beauty, spirituality, and renewal. It’s a pairing that lingers long after you’ve left.

Hiroshima: Remembering the past, shaping the future

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Reflect on Japan’s history at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

Begin in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a calm, tree-lined space at the heart of the city. Today, it’s a place of contemplation, but its significance runs deep. The park marks the epicenter of the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945, and stands as a global symbol of peace and remembrance. Paths wind past memorials, sculptures, and quiet waterways, inviting visitors to slow down and absorb the gravity of the setting.

A visit to the Peace Memorial Museum provides essential context, tracing Hiroshima’s history before the bombing, the devastating events of that day, and the city’s remarkable recovery. The exhibits are moving and unflinching, offering personal stories, photographs, and artifacts that bring history into sharp focus. Rather than sensationalizing tragedy, the museum emphasizes human experience. Lives interrupted, families changed forever, and the long-term consequences of nuclear warfare. Expect to be affected.

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Genbaku Atomic Bomb Dome – a ruin that speaks.

Nearby stands the Genbaku Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the few structures left standing near the blast’s hypocenter. Preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its skeletal remains are a stark reminder of the destruction that once unfolded here. Set against the backdrop of a modern, thriving city, the dome feels especially poignant, a silent witness to the past and a reminder of the responsibility carried into the future.

Gladly, Hiroshima today is not defined by tragedy alone. The city has rebuilt itself with intention, becoming a symbol of resilience and hope. Lively streets, riverside promenades, and welcoming cafés reflect a community that looks forward without forgetting. This balance – honoring memory while embracing renewal – is what makes Hiroshima such a special place to visit.

Miyajima: Sacred island, timeless beauty

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The floating shrine and Miyajima’s pagoda in one timeless view.

From Hiroshima, take the ferry to Miyajima Island, aka Itsukushima. The transition feels almost symbolic, moving from the weight of history to a setting shaped by nature and spirituality. As the ferry approaches, one sight immediately commands attention: the iconic torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, seemingly floating on the water.

At high tide, the vermilion gate rises from the sea, one of Japan’s most recognizable images. At low tide, you can walk out toward it, revealing the clever harmony between architecture and environment that defines Shinto belief. The shrine itself, built on stilts over the bay, appears to hover above the water: an intentional design meant to preserve the island’s sacred ground.

After exploring the shrine, take time to wander the island’s gentle paths. Miyajima feels slower, softer, and deeply connected to the natural world. Deer roam freely, forests climb into the hills, and the sea frames nearly every view.

After lunch, continue on to Daisho-in Temple, one of Miyajima’s most atmospheric and spiritually rich sites. Tucked into the forested slopes of Mount Misen, the temple is known for its hundreds of stone statues, prayer wheels, and softly lit lanterns. As you move through its halls and stairways, the space feels intimate and contemplative, encouraging quiet moments of reflection.