Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine

A shrine within the castle walls, Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine stands inside the grounds of Hiroshima Castle, close to the reconstructed keep, and serves as the city's principal Shinto sanctuary for honouring the local war dead. Like almost everything in central Hiroshima, it was destroyed by the atomic bombing and later rebuilt, so the present halls, though traditional in style, date from the post-war recovery of the city.

It plays a warm role in local life. Far from being a solemn memorial alone, the shrine is one of Hiroshima's busiest for the great rituals of the year, thronged at New Year when residents come for their first prayers, and popular for weddings, blessings for newborns and the coming-of-age celebrations of young adults. Its position beside the castle makes it an easy and rewarding stop.

Baseball gives it a modern twist. The shrine is closely associated with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, the beloved local team, and fans come to pray for victory, so alongside the usual votive plaques you may find offerings tied to the fortunes of the club, a charming reflection of the city's sporting passion.

For a visit, the shrine is free to enter and open through the day, sitting within the pleasant castle park a short walk from the tram stops and the Peace Memorial Park. Its level paths make it accessible to most visitors. Combining it with the castle keep and gardens fills an easy couple of hours, and New Year or a festival day offers the liveliest atmosphere, when the precinct fills with stalls, families and the everyday devotion of the city. Its double life as a solemn memorial and a cheerful community shrine, right down to the baseball prayers, is what gives it charm.