The complex past of Hiroshima makes it one of the most captivating locations in Japan as the remembrance of August 1945 intertwines with the perseverance of over 1 million residents. You’ll begin in Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, which covers over 120,000 square meters of the central city with trees, lawns, and walking paths. Before the dropping of the atomic bomb in 1945, the area of what is now the Peace Park was the political and commercial heart of the city. The district’s importance in the city made it a target for the American pilots when they were determining where to drop the bomb. As Hiroshima began its recovery, it was decided that the area not be redeveloped but instead be devoted to peace memorial facilities. The park's main attraction is the Peace Memorial Museum. Consisting of two buildings, the museum surveys the history of Hiroshima and the advent of the nuclear bomb. Its strongest focus is on the events of August 6: the dropping of the bomb and its destructive effects on the region.

A visit to the unique Shukkeien Garden will be a nice break to the emotional weight that goes along with time at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Known in English as the "shrunken-scenery garden" Shukkeien is made up of miniature garden landscapes sculpted into valleys, mountains and forests. The entire garden is connected by a path which weaves around an inner pond. This path will take you through all the small-scale landscapes that are based off the traditional aesthetics of Japanese gardens. The thought that this garden has been maintained for close to 400 years provides a certain amount of inherent importance that amplifies the serenity of your surroundings.

From Hiroshima you will take a short train ride to the Saijo Sake Village. With a population of just over 4,000 this small town just east of Hiroshima has made a name for itself as one of the best sake producers in all of Japan. Your focus will be on the Sake Brewery Street or as locals call it, Sakagura-dori. Passing eight of Saijo's breweries you will have the chance to learn about sake brewing from start to finish with plenty of time for samples along the way. We won't dare test your tolerance by stopping at all 8 so your guide will pick out a couple of his/her favorites! Saijo is Japan's equivalent to Tuscany or Napa Valley. The best of the best in the world of Sake.