Hiroshima, the city of memory, but above all, the city of rebirth. If there is a place in the world where the past weighs heavy but the future breathes deeply, this is it. Many associate it only with the tragedy of August 6, 1945—that single, tragic moment that changed human history forever. Yet, today's Hiroshima is an incredibly vibrant, green metropolis, woven with rivers and carrying a breathless sense of dignity.

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Geographically, we are in the Chugoku region, facing the Seto Inland Sea. It is a city of water and bridges, dominated by the silhouette of the Peace Cenotaph and the Genbaku Dome (the Peace Memorial)—the skeletal structure left standing as an eternal witness to the past. Personally, walking through the Peace Memorial Park, I deeply feel the contrast between the sacred silence of remembrance and the bustling hum of everyday life. I sense the scent of steel and concrete blending with the lush greenery of manicured parks and the salty air blowing in from the coast.

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​In perfect contrast to its solemn landmarks, Hiroshima welcomes you at the table with an overwhelming joy for life. Anyone who knows me understands my love for Japanese cuisine, and here, tasting the Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki is an absolute must—a masterpiece of layered noodles, cabbage, egg, and savory sauce, completely distinct from its neighboring Osaka counterpart. Just a short ferry ride away lies the sacred island of Miyajima and its iconic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, where nature and spirituality merge into one. Hiroshima carries a deep scar, it is true, but its vital energy is a powerful hymn to hope. It is a journey you will never forget, a place that changes you inside.