On August 6th, 1945, the Enola Gay dropped what would be the first of two nuclear bombs over the city of Hiroshima. The legacy of this event shapes the history, landscape and culture of Hiroshima to this day. Millions of visitors from around the globe have come here to learn and remember at the sprawling Peace Memorial Park, where museums and monuments mark what was once a bustling downtown neighborhood. It’s a sober experience, but one ultimately full of hope for the future of Hiroshima and the world.

Visit Hiroshima Castle, restored after the blast, and marvel at the recreation of 16th Century feudal history. Sample the city’s signature version of okonomiyaki, a savory pancake popularized here after WWII. Then, spend the day on peaceful, scenic Miyajima Island, where the UNESCO World Heritage site of Itsukushima Shrine sits picture-perfect along the waterfront, its distinctive red torii gate rising above the sea in welcome.