Hiroshima (Japan) > Reviews (7)

Getting to Hiroshima is on most people's itineraries when visiting Japan for the sole reason of paying respects to the people of Hiroshima who suffered from the atomic bomb. The same reason many people go to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii or a Concentration Camp in Germany- we don't want to forget what happened and we want to honor the dead.

Hiroshima has moved past the mourning however and is now in the full tilt of life- you might even come here to experience other things than peace park!

Some great resources before you come or if you live in Hiroshima and don't yet know about them are: http://www.gethiroshima.com
to get in touch with what events, restaurants, cinema and interesting people are being highlighted each month. One of the reasons I love this online magazine about Hiroshima (and sometime write for them about new places and cool people) is that they are taking a new perspective on an old city and helping people get together who have similar interests regardless of their nationality by using a Forum discussion and event listings as a way for people to hook up.
Other ways are by introducing people to new ideas and cool people. For example, their interviews with cool people (HYPE section) include everything from a re-acquaintanceship with a military guy who was stationed in Miyajima and a Japanese woman he knew then, to the modern world of the graffiti artist who sells his art on paper (for donations) along the main shopping street because he loves graffiti art, but doesn't want to deal with vandalism laws and the police. GetHiroshima is also really music oriented highlighting the many music festivals and gigs that come through the city. Everything from big name Detroit techno/houseDJs to big name rock bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Oasis. Japanese bands and DJs also do gigs in Hiroshima. Some of my favorite this year have been Dry and Heavy, Audio Active and the lesser known (but quirky and cool) Nekomushi.

For the totally non-perapera (not fluent in Japanese), www.Japaninyourpalm.com provides english language menus and useful information for the uninitiated.

It's hard for me to further explain what's its like to live and enjoy getting out in Hiroshima and Japan unless you've spent some time reading GetHiroshima.com or spent some time yourself enjoying Japan. Wherever you are, I hope you'll give the hip side of Hiro a try and shed any stereotypes you may have about what a Japanese city or an atomic blasted city is like!