Facing the Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima is the center of Chugoku region and the first city in history to be destroyed by an atomic bomb. The city itself flourished as a castle town after Mouri Terumoto, a feudal lord, built Hiroshima Castle in the 16th century. Today Hiroshima is known as the “City of Peace.” Numerous tourists come to Hiroshima to visit Shukkei-en Garden, the Mitaki-dera Temple, and the Genbaku Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome. Just a short trip to southwest from Hiroshima is the island of Itsuku-shima, or called as Miyajima, which is among the three most celebrated scenic sights in Japan, along with Matsushima in Miyagi, and Amanohashidate in Kyoto.