Hiroshima’s prefecture is really popular among travelers for two reasons: the scenic floating torii belonging to Itsukushima island (and best-known as Miyajima) and the atomic bomb History, depicted by the Genbaku dome. Both are World Heritage, and given their beauty/meaningfulness, are to be find in the Heisei 100 landscapes. We were there during summer 2015, just before the 70th anniversary commemoration.
Just like Tokyo, these are definitely not off the beaten track landscapes. But they do belong to the list we are following.
Genbaku dome in Hiroshima
Along Ōta-gawa river stands the Genbaku (meaning “atomic bomb”) dome, one of the few remaining building after the bomb dropped on August the 6th, 1945.
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Miyajima island
Further in Hiroshima bay, in Seto Inland Sea, Utsukushima island is home of one of the most famous torii of Japan, standing in the middle of the waves when the tide is high.
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How to get there?
From Tokyo, the easiest way is to use the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen (4:30, 19300 yen). But the journey might also be considered by highway buses.
To reach Miyajima island (Utsukushima), one needs to take a ferry from the terminal at Miyajimaguchi station (on the JR Sanyo line), about 50 minutes west of Hiroshima. The ride is about 10 minutes, for 180 yen one way.
More ferries are also available from Hiroshima harbor (25 minutes, 1850 yen one way) and directly from the Peace Memorial Park (55 minutes for 3600 yen back and forth).
An interesting side-trip from Hiroshima would be Shimane prefecture, with far less travelers but many beautiful sights. Immediately North and easily accessible by bus.