CHUGOKUChugoku is the western part of Honshu, between the island of Kyushu to the west and Hyogo-ken to the east. Coined in the distant past when only the area between Kyushu and Kanto came under any governmental administration. The name Chūgoku literally means "Middle Country", the sole surviving relic of a historical division of Japan into "Near Countries", "Middle Countries" and "Far Countries" , based on distance from the capital Kyoto. Strictly speaking, today's Chugoku covers only the Middle Countries along the San'indo and San'yodo roads, and hence Okayama is sometimes not considered a full part of Chugoku, as only three of its five component provinces (Mimasaka, Bizen and Bitchu) were Middle Countries
|
1. Hiroshima
With six beautiful rivers flowing through it, Hiroshima is called the City of Water. The origins of the City date back to 1589 when Mori Terumoto, a feudal lord, built Hiroshima Castle (also referred to as Rijo, or Carp Castle) at the large delta of the Ota-gawa River. (The current castle was reconstructed after the original was destroyed by an atomic bomb during the war.)
Because the delta resembled a large island, the area was called "Hiroshima," or 'wide island' in Japanese. The town was the seat of the Mori and Fukushima families, and later of the Asano, who laid the foundations of Hiroshima's further development as the most lively castle town in western Japan. Shukkeien Garden, located in the center of Hiroshima and a designated official National Place of Scenic Beauty, was built during the Edo Period by Asano Nagaakira, then castle lord, as a villa garden. It is popular among Hiroshima residents for its style, typical of the gardens of that time.
On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb in history was dropped on Hiroshima, killing some 140,000 people. Since then, however, the City has achieved a remarkable recovery from that devastation and has pursued everlasting peace for mankind. Some 1.2 million people visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum annually; there is also an endless flow of people who come to offer a silent prayer and flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, and to the many other peace monuments in Peace Memorial Park. In 1996, the Atomic Bomb Dome was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It reminds visitors from all over the world of the preciousness of peace.
The city of Hiroshima, now the largest city in the Chugoku Shikoku region, is also referred to as the "City of Water." River cruise boats in and open-air cafes alongside the six rivers offer relaxing moments for tourists. MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima, completed as a new symbol of the city in March 2009, is where spectators can enjoy not only watching games in different styles with various seat types, such as field seats and party floor-style seats, but also tasting a variety of delicious foods at stands lined side by side along the concourse. Come and see Hiroshima, the "City of Water."
Because the delta resembled a large island, the area was called "Hiroshima," or 'wide island' in Japanese. The town was the seat of the Mori and Fukushima families, and later of the Asano, who laid the foundations of Hiroshima's further development as the most lively castle town in western Japan. Shukkeien Garden, located in the center of Hiroshima and a designated official National Place of Scenic Beauty, was built during the Edo Period by Asano Nagaakira, then castle lord, as a villa garden. It is popular among Hiroshima residents for its style, typical of the gardens of that time.
On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb in history was dropped on Hiroshima, killing some 140,000 people. Since then, however, the City has achieved a remarkable recovery from that devastation and has pursued everlasting peace for mankind. Some 1.2 million people visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum annually; there is also an endless flow of people who come to offer a silent prayer and flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, and to the many other peace monuments in Peace Memorial Park. In 1996, the Atomic Bomb Dome was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It reminds visitors from all over the world of the preciousness of peace.
The city of Hiroshima, now the largest city in the Chugoku Shikoku region, is also referred to as the "City of Water." River cruise boats in and open-air cafes alongside the six rivers offer relaxing moments for tourists. MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima, completed as a new symbol of the city in March 2009, is where spectators can enjoy not only watching games in different styles with various seat types, such as field seats and party floor-style seats, but also tasting a variety of delicious foods at stands lined side by side along the concourse. Come and see Hiroshima, the "City of Water."
2. Miyajima
Miyajima is one of the crown jewels of Japan, and certainly one of its finest views. Located off the coast of Hiroshima, the serene beauty of the island is one of the attracted view. Miyajima has been considered a holy place for most of Japanese history. In 806 AD, the monk Kōbō Daishi ascended Mt. Misen and established the mountain as an ascetic site for the Shingon sect of Buddhism. In the years since, the island's Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines have maintained a close relationship.
In the past, women were not allowed on the island and old people were shipped elsewhere to die, so that the ritual purity of the site would not be spoiled; in fact, the island's real name is Itsukushima, and Miyajima is just a popular nickname meaning "Shrine Island". These days, strict measures are taken to ensure that the island's sole town retains a classically Japanese Edo-era look. Deer wander freely through the streets and parks. There are still a few bits of concrete warren that have snuck in, but the seafront promenade is particularly attractive, especially later in the day when the rampaging tour groups head home and the stone lanterns are lit.
In the past, women were not allowed on the island and old people were shipped elsewhere to die, so that the ritual purity of the site would not be spoiled; in fact, the island's real name is Itsukushima, and Miyajima is just a popular nickname meaning "Shrine Island". These days, strict measures are taken to ensure that the island's sole town retains a classically Japanese Edo-era look. Deer wander freely through the streets and parks. There are still a few bits of concrete warren that have snuck in, but the seafront promenade is particularly attractive, especially later in the day when the rampaging tour groups head home and the stone lanterns are lit.
3. Onomichi
Onomichi, situated in southeastern Hiroshima, faces the Seto Inland Sea and stretches out from east to west. It is a scenic port town that has thrived as a center for marine traffic in the Seto Inland Sea.
There are many old temples in Onomichi. Senko-ji Temple, located halfway up Mt. Senkoji-san, is noted for its bright red main sanctuary, called the "Red Hall," that is cleverly laid out on the slope of the mountain. Jodo-ji Temple which is famous for the Taho-to Tower, one of the three most famous towers in Japan, offers an elegant view of the straight line formed by the main sanctuary and the other structures, which were built in an ancient Chinese style. Another must-see is Saikoku-ji Temple, where a huge Japanese sandal, over two meters in length, is suspended from the Nio-mon Gate.
As you climb Mt. Senkoji-san by ropeway, you receive a bird's eye view of the whole of Onomichi, including the brightly shining Onomichi Channel, the beautiful green Mukai-shima Island, houses crowded on the hills, and the Seto Inland Sea. The mountaintop is a park with many must-see attractions, such as the Onomichi City Art Museum. The park is a popular spot among the citizens for viewing cherry blossoms. When you cross the bridge to Mukai-shima Island, you can enjoy a view of Onomichi from the seaside.
There are many old temples in Onomichi. Senko-ji Temple, located halfway up Mt. Senkoji-san, is noted for its bright red main sanctuary, called the "Red Hall," that is cleverly laid out on the slope of the mountain. Jodo-ji Temple which is famous for the Taho-to Tower, one of the three most famous towers in Japan, offers an elegant view of the straight line formed by the main sanctuary and the other structures, which were built in an ancient Chinese style. Another must-see is Saikoku-ji Temple, where a huge Japanese sandal, over two meters in length, is suspended from the Nio-mon Gate.
As you climb Mt. Senkoji-san by ropeway, you receive a bird's eye view of the whole of Onomichi, including the brightly shining Onomichi Channel, the beautiful green Mukai-shima Island, houses crowded on the hills, and the Seto Inland Sea. The mountaintop is a park with many must-see attractions, such as the Onomichi City Art Museum. The park is a popular spot among the citizens for viewing cherry blossoms. When you cross the bridge to Mukai-shima Island, you can enjoy a view of Onomichi from the seaside.