Senkoji Temple | Review by WANG

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Senkoji Temple

An ancient temple with an amazing view, a long history and rich folklore!

2 Sep 2026 See More

A landmark on the hillside—Senkoji Temple! From the foot of the mountain, take the cute, colorful ropeway upward. As you climb higher, the view opens up, revealing the streets of Onomichi and the blue Seto Inland Sea dotted with islands. The aerial view alone is worth the fare.

As soon as I entered the temple grounds, I was struck by the unique landscape. The temple is cleverly built alongside steep, massive rock formations. The iconic Kusariyama rock and bright red Main Hall (Akado) complement each other, while the traditional buildings look especially mysterious and magnificent against the blue sky and green trees. Walking slowly down the stone steps, you can pray for blessings, spot cute cats weaving between the stone walls, and visit the famous Senkoji Park Observatory (PEAK) for a stunning 360-degree ocean view.

Although there are quite a few steps and slopes along the way, every turn brings a different surprise, so it doesn't feel tiring at all. I highly recommend adding Senkoji Temple to a leisurely walking itinerary when visiting Hiroshima or the Seto Inland Sea area. It will definitely leave you with incredibly beautiful, unforgettable memories!

Other Reviews by WANG

Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Castle was built in 1589 by Terumoto Mori, known as one of the five dignitaries of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The castle is located in the center of Hiroshima city, famous as a major tourist attraction with easy access.
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Mid to late November is fall foliage season in Japan, and the trees around Hiroshima Castle gradually turn a mix of golden yellow, orange-red, and green. Paired with the majestic, old-fashioned black-and-white castle tower, the whole scene looks like a beautiful autumn landscape painting. No matter where you take a photo, it has a distinctly Japanese feel.

Strolling along the moat and stone-wall paths into the castle, you can not only experience its rich history but also enjoy the beautiful gardens decorated with autumn leaves. There also aren't too many visitors in November, making it very relaxing and comfortable to explore. I highly recommend adding Hiroshima Castle to your walking itinerary when visiting Hiroshima during the fall foliage season. You're sure to come away with plenty of romantic autumn memories!
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Hiroshima, the first city worldwide to suffer the devastation of an atomic bomb in 1945, established this museum in 1955 to convey the tragedy to people worldwide while raising a flag for the abolition of nuclear weapons and realization of lasting world peace.
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The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is located inside Peace Memorial Park. Although I had mentally prepared myself before even entering the museum, actually walking through the exhibits and seeing the preserved belongings, photographs, footage of the devastation after the bombing, and firsthand accounts from survivors still brought an overwhelming sense of historical shock and sorrow. I couldn't help but tear up, and the feelings stayed with me for a long time.

The exhibits are extremely detailed and in-depth. Through actual objects bearing the scars of that time, they truthfully and brutally show the destructive force of the atomic bombing and the lasting harm it caused to innocent civilians. Although the entire visit feels very heavy, every image and every passage silently strikes the heart, making you deeply feel the cruelty of war and just how precious peace is.

As you leave the museum and look at the peaceful park outside while hearing the bell that calls for peace, you're left with profound thoughts and emotions. I highly recommend adding the Peace Memorial Museum to your itinerary when visiting Hiroshima. This is definitely more than an ordinary tourist attraction; it is a profound experience that makes you reconsider history and the value of life!
Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park)

The Atomic Bomb Dome, in its original design, was completed as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotional Hall, by Czech architect Jan Letzel on April 5th, 1915. However, as it stood just 160 meters from the epicenter of the atomic bomb, it suffered severe damage from the blast. With a gutted steel frame and damaged exterior, its known colloquially as the Atomic Bomb Dome, a building that stands in testament to the tragic history unfolded here.
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I made a special trip to visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although I had seen it countless times in history textbooks and photos, standing before it in person, the visual impact and weight of its history still filled me with solemn respect and left me speechless for a long time.

The weathered steel framework and damaged dome stand quietly along the Motoyasu River, as if silently recounting that heartbreaking chapter of history. Although the surrounding area is now the lively, green Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the preserved ruins still have a powerful emotional impact, making you deeply appreciate how precious and hard-won peace is.

Many visitors from Japan and abroad stop here to reflect and take photos. The atmosphere throughout the park is solemn, yet carries a hint of hope for the future. I highly recommend that anyone visiting Hiroshima come here in person. It will definitely leave you deeply moved and with an unforgettable perspective on life!