Visit the Roots of Hiroshima - From the Origin of the City to the Pre-War Time

【OUTLINE】

Leave the touristy areas of Hiroshima and step into the suburbs, accompanied by a guide and an electric bicycle. The tour will unfold in a flow of stories, introducing historical spots and spectacular views that only the locals know, showing the real Hiroshima.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• Discover the story that is not described in any guidebook, such as the grandiose dreams that were put into Hiroshima Castle, which can only be understood with a guide. 
• We introduce the local spots that have kept watch over Hiroshima, such as Ikari Shrine, Fudo-in Temple and Meoto-Gusu, and the drama that each one holds.
• This course will make you feel like a local, taking you away from the tourist areas, along the riverside and allowing you to see the everyday life of Hiroshima.
• Enjoy the spectacular view from the top of Mitate-Yama where the decision to build Hiroshima Castle was once made. 
• By touring the city from its origins to the pre-war period, you will learn why Hiroshima was involved in the horrors of war and understand how Hiroshima became a city of peace in the post-war period.

【SCHEDULE】 

[10:00] Meeting and a briefing on the tour.
[10:20] Visit Hiroshima Castle, the starting point for the development of Hiroshima into what it is today.
[10:45] Visit the oldest castle in Hiroshima. Learn episodes of history about Hiroshima before the city was founded.
[11:00] A tour of the original landscape of Hiroshima, which was once an open sea.
[11:40] Visit Fudo-in Temple, a national treasure that has produced a variety of dramas from medieval times to the present day.
[12:20] Climbing the small Mitate-yama, close to the center of Hiroshima City, you can feel the thoughts that went into the decision to build the city. Lunch break while enjoying the view.
[13:20] From the bridge, which is considered as a symbol of the success of the post-war Hiroshima, learn about the story of Hiroshima's pre-war development, which continues to the present day.
[13:40] Visit Hiroshima Castle again and look back what you learned from the tour.
[14:00] The tour disbands at a rest house in the Peace Memorial Park.

【DETAILS】

Starting from Hiroshima Castle, we will tell you about the origins of Hiroshima and the pre-war period.

The theme of the tour is "How did Hiroshima develop before it became a city of peace?" By bike, you will visit the city's historical sites, where you will learn about the thoughts of the people who built the city and why Hiroshima became the target of the atomic bomb. 

The tour includes a visit to the following places:

・Hiroshima Castle where you learn the origins of the city.
・Ikari-jinja Shrine, the oldest shrine in Hiroshima which proves that the current center of the city used to be under a sea.
・Meoto-gusu trees which have watched over the daily life of Hiroshima for as long as 500 years.
・Fudo-in Temple, a heritage site that tells the story of the city's history.
・Enko Bridge, a symbol of Hiroshima's pre-war prosperity.

From the top of Mount Mitatsu, where the decision to build Hiroshima Castle was made at the time, you can look out over the city and feel the passion that went into building the city.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：4 hours
• Meeting point：1F Rest House of Hiroshima Peace Park [MAP]
  1-1 Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima 730-0811
  
• Access：Take the Hiroshima Electric Railway train from Hiroshima Station and get off at Atomic Bomb Dome Station (about 20 minutes). 5-minute walk from Atomic Bomb Dome Station.
• Language support：Japanese
• Included ：The price includes rental bicycles, helmets and other tools to ride, lunch, English speaking guide and an insurance fee for bikes.
• Excluded：The food and beverages not served during the tour
• Items to bring：Something to drink
• Clothes：Clothes easy to move
• Participation requirements ：
  (1) Adult bicycle (electric): Height 145 cm or more.
  (2) Bicycle with seat for children (electric): Children riding with the seats are free of charge. If you'd like this option, please fill in the remarks column on the reservation information input page.
  (3) Children's bicycle (cross bike type): 2 Children's bicycles* for one booking are available.
  Children under age 12 can use both children's bicycles and adult bicycles at child rate.
  * for children of height 110 cm to 145 cm
  ** The number of (2) and (3) is limited, so please contact us before making a reservation if you wish.
  ・Not recommended for travelers with back problems.
  ・Not recommended for pregnant travelers.
  ・Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions.
• Special support：When you become ill or injured during the tour, we will carry you to the nearest hospital.
• Free Wi-Fi ：No
• Toilet：No 
• Other things to note：The time of disbanding may be changed flexibly due to a condition of the day.

【HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES】

・Face masks required for travelers in public areas
・Face masks required for guides in public areas
・Face masks provided for travelers as needed
・Hand sanitizer  available to travelers and staff
・Social distancing enforced throughout the experience
・Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
・Gear/equipment sanitized between uses
・Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
・Guides required to regularly wash hands
・Regular temperature checks for staff
・Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
・Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
・Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
・Contactless ticket redemption

【CANCELLATION POLICY】 

7 to 4 days before the tour date 40% of the tour price
3 to 2 days before the tour date 60% of the tour price
The day before the tour date, on the day of the tour 100% of the tour price
※Right after the online settlement is made, a cancellation fee of 10% will be incurred in case of cancellation.
※The cancellation fee includes handling charges.