One of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in Japan. I should qualify this by saying that I have seen fewer than a dozen such gardens in Japan, but even with that caveat I believe that very few places could attain or surpass the exquisite beauty of Hiroshima. Of all the gardens I visited during a month-long stay (mostly in Tokyo), this was my favorite. I was especially moved by the large tree that, although it was within the perimeter of the atomic bomb’s blast zone, somehow managed to survive. Its seeds have been propagated all over the world and even beyond: they have been taken to the International Space Station. The city itself is a superb jewel of a place, nestled into a rugged coastline, embraced by mountains, trees, rivers, and ocean. It is a place of such great natural beauty that it is heartbreaking to consider the devastation of the war. Yet it is simultaneously an amazing example of resilience, both human and nature. The beautiful garden in the middle of town not only reflects the beauty around it, but enhances it all the more.