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Hiroshimas two 'World Heritage Sites? make it famous internationally and are the citys major tourist attractions. The first is the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome, set in beautiful park surroundings in the central city and dedicated to world peace. This is the site for the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony held each August 6 in memorial to the victims and survivors of the atomic bomb attack on city in 1945. The ceremony is attended by guests from all over Japan and the world. That evening, Peace Park comes alive with music groups and the Lantern Floating Festival, when wishes are written on colorful paper lanterns and floated down the Ota River, giving the impression of a sea of bright lights. The second World Heritage Site is Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima, also classified as one of the 'three most scenic spots? in Japan. The shrine and its gateway set out into the water are the focal point here, but Miyajima is also a wonderful spot for taking in the seasonal colors or hiking up Mt. Misen for a view of the Seto Inland Sea and the many nearby islands. Miyajima also plays host to one of Hiroshimas famous traditional folk performances, the kagura. Kagura could be described as a more rustic version of Noh, being far more lively and usually set outdoors. The northwestern part of Hiroshima prefecture, the Geihoku area, is particularly known for kagura, but performances at Itsukushima Shrine are especially notable for the spectacular setting. Traditionally this stage craft was performed at shrines as part of harvest or other thanksgiving festivals, however it has recently become more artistic; newer kagura performances tend to be more upbeat and fast-paced than those of old. Festivals are a feature of Hiroshima life as they are elsewhere in Japan. Summer equates to fireworks, a popular form of entertainment in any Japanese city, but the sheer number of ports and rivers here makes fireworks festivals an integral feature. The biggest and most attended fireworks displays are the Miyajima, Ujina Port, and Ota River Festivals. The seaside port town of Onomichi is also famous for its Sumiyoshi Festival. Other city summer festivals include Tokasan and the Yukata Matsuri. For both of these events one of the main streets is closed to vehicles and used instead for dance performance and as a place for groups of young girls to walk around displaying their colorful yukata (summer robe) fashions. Another favorite summer pastime for Hiroshima residents is baseball. The regular Hiroshima Carp games at the Municipal Baseball Stadium can be heard all over the city as exited fans cheer the local professional team. The baseball stadium also doubles as a performance venue, and it was recently the site for the opening ceremony of the 15th National Culture Festival 2000. Also related to sports, Hiroshimas Big Wave and Big Arch are certainly the largest and newest facilities for large events. Both were constructed in time to host the Asian Games in 1994. The Big Arch stadium now hosts a variety of events, such as home games of the local J-League Soccer team, San Frecce. The Big Wave complex has a 50-meter indoor swimming pool, which doubles as an ice-skating rink in winter. Another large sports and event venue is the prefectural sports facility, or Green Arena, which regularly hosts live concerts. Away from the city, the construction in recent years of a new international airport in Higashi Hiroshima, has led the way for significant development in that area, and one such initiative is the sprawling Hiroshima City Forestry Park, a haven for cyclists, runners and recreational walkers or picnickers. While you may not imagine Hiroshima to be much of a skiing paradise, given its southern location, you may be surprised to learn that there are over 30 ski fields in the prefecture, many of them an easy 90-minute drive from the central city. Sundays in January and February see even the smallest of these packed with skiers and snowboarders from as far away as Kyushu. If you prefer indoor entertainment, Hiroshima is certainly not short of excellent dining and drinking facilities. A popular destination is the Nagarekawa district, a maze of snack bars, shot bars, cocktail bars, and the occasional strip club or karaoke spot. It can best be described as an 'adult entertainment area,? and while there are many perfectly legitimate and tasteful venues, there is also a somewhat unsavory element to be wary of. Explore at your own risk?or better still, with a knowledgeable local resident. For art lovers, the city is home to the Hiroshima Museum of Art, the Prefectural Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. The latter is a striking new facility atop Mt. Hijiyama, well worth the visit not only for the fine exhibitions but also for the park-like surroundings and city views. The Prefectural Art Museum is located downtown right next to the Shukkeien Garden, a beautiful Japanese-style garden to be enjoyed by all the family, and a great escape from the bustling city outside its walls. |
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