The city’s other museums and parks make it plain to see how much money has been lavished on reconstruction. A combined ticket will get you into Shukkei-en, a sculpted garden that recreates in miniature Xiyu lake in Huangzhou, China and the Hiroshima Prefectural Museum of Art which houses “Dreams of Venus”, Dali’s masterpiece of melting watches, and the atomic bomb inspired “Holocaust in Hiroshima” by Hirayama Ikuo.

Your next stopping point in Hiroshima prefecture should be Miyajima Island. Itsukushima Shrine is built on stilts and appears to float in the bay when the tide is in. It’s striking torii gate rises out of the sea to set off one of Japan’s “top three” views. If you’re lucky enough to be there on August 14, you’ll witness one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the world. The summit of mount Mt. Misen (a 30min walk from where the ropeway drops you off) is worth visiting for the views of the island below and the charming temple of Daishoin.

These are the most famous attractions but Hiroshima prefecture has much more to offer. Sandan-kyo gorge makes a great day-trip for outdoor enthusiasts. An emerald-green river, by turns raging and placid, cuts through huge boulders and limestone caverns for 16 km. It’s wilder and less visited than Taishaku-kyo gorge in the northeast which boasts the largest natural rock bridge in the world but also concrete paths and numerous tourists.

Further east are reminders of an older Japan. The numerous temples and unpretentious shopping arcade of Onomichi have provided writers and film makers with plenty of inspiration over the years. Tomo-no-Ura is a smaller port and one of the most enchanting locations on the Inland Sea. Easily navigated on foot or by bike. Its hills and winding streets are dotted with charming temples, shrines and the occasional fisherman selling his catch.

The southern coast is also a gateway to the 138 islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Among them is Ikuchi-jima. Aside from its beaches and citrus groves, Kosan-ji is a shrine that’s well worth visiting. Built by an arms manufacturer turned monk in memory of his departed mother, it’s consists of numerous sumptuous reconstructions of famous temple buildings and colourful gardens. Also head to the art museum dedicated to the work of Hirayama Ikuo, a high school student in Hiroshima when the bomb dropped. Though world-famous and well-travelled, it is the Inland Sea that he returns to for inspiration for his enormous, awe-inspiring paintings.