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Hiroshima
Hiroshima is the symbol for the horrors of the Second World War. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, hosting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, draws many visitors, especially for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, an annual commemoration held on the date of the atomic bombing. The park also contains a large collection of monuments, including the Children's Peace Monument, the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims and many others. Hiroshima's rebuilt castle Koi Castle houses a museum of life in the Edo period. Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine is within the walls of the castle. Other attractions in Hiroshima are: Shukkei-en, Fudoin, Mitaki-dera, and Hijiyama Park. Another attraction is the Miyajima island which lies just off the coast from Hiroshima, containing the Shrine of Itsukushima built on wooden piers over the water.
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Kyoto
Nestled among mountains in Western Honshu, Kyoto is considered worldwide as Japan's most beautiful city, a living museum of Japan's great artistic heritage. Discover its hidden beauty in its 2000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, as well as palaces, gardens and architecture. Among the most famous temples are: Kiyomizu-dera, a magnificent wooden temple; Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion; Ginkaku-ji, the Temple of the Silver Pavilion; and Ryoan-ji, famous for its rock garden. The "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" are listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. These include the Kamo Shrines, Kyo-o-Gokokuji (Tô-ji), Kiyomizu-dera, Daigo-ji, Ninna-ji, Saiho-ji (Kokedera), Tenryu-ji, Rokuon-ji (Kinkaku-ji), Jisho-ji (Ginkaku-ji), Ryoan-ji, Hongan-ji, Kozan-ji and the Nijo Castle, primarily built by the Tokugawa shoguns.
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Osaka
Located in the west of Honshu, Osaka is the third largest city in Japan, offering many sights and is worth a visit. Though there are relatively few historical sights, the nightlife is extensive and it is an excellent place for shopping. Osaka is traditionally considered the "nation's kitchen" or the gourmet food capital of Japan. Some of the museums well worth visiting are the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka City Museum of Modern Art, Osaka Municipal Museum of Art, Osaka Museum of History. The Museum of Oriental Ceramics houses 2000 pieces of ceramics. It also features a natural-light gallery for its Korean celadon pottery.
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Tokyo
The capital of Japan, Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world, consisting of 23 different wards (ku) - cities that have their own special attractions. Among the highlights of Tokyo not to be missed are: the Sony building in Ginza, the Imperial Palace, the temples of Asakusa, Shinjuku Gyoen Park in Shinjuku, Meiji Shrine, Korakuen Garden, the sight of the sacred mountain of Fuji in early morning. A good spot is from top of Government Building in Shinjuku "the To cho" long vowels). Also children enjoy spending a day at Tokyo Disneyland. Tokyo is also known for its many museums. The Tokyo National Museum, the country's largest museum, specializing in traditional Japanese art, is well worth visiting.
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