Mt.Ushita is only 4 kilometers north from Hiroshima Station, and situated in Ushita, Higashi Ward, which is the uppermost delta of the Ota River. It is said that the Ushita area was reclaimed in the end of the Nara period (710〜784) as a manor of Saidaiji Temple in Nara, an ancient capital of Japan.

There are rich historic remains there. One is Fudoin Temple in Ushita-shinmachi which stands on the east bank of the river. Fudoin was built in the middle of the 14th century by Shogun Takauji Ashikaga as one of 60 Ankokuji temples which were constructed in all provinces in the nation, praying for the repose of people killed in battles. The Kondo (main hall) of the temple, which is said to be one of the largest remaining structures in the medieval Kara style in the country, is the only designated national treasure in Hiroshima City. The Kara style originally came from the south of China.

This 8-kilometer long and 3.5-hour hike will start at the north side of Hiroshima Station, and the first stop will be Toshogu Shrine which was dedicated to Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogun of the Edo Bakufu government (1603〜1867), by the Hiroshima Clan to pledge their loyalty to him 350 years ago. November of this year was the first time in 183 years to hold the shrine's traditional Edo style mikoshi procession. It was suspended in 1815 because of the confusion of the last days of the Tokugawa regime.

From the precincts of the shrine, a trail leads you into the mountain, and the second stop will be Peace Pagoda which rises on the top of the 139-meter Mt.Futaba. This silvery 25-meter tall pagoda, in which Buddha's ashes from India are laid, was built by local people to console the spirits of the A-bomb victims . It took some twelve years for them to complete in 1966.

Mt. Ushita will be a 1.5 hours walk from there after crossing the 176-meter Mt.Onaga. From these peaks, you can enjoy superb views of the city, overlooking Hiroshima Bay. There is a relaxation facility named "Kanda-sanso", which has been renovated recently, halfway down the mountain to Ushita-shinmachi. It is a good place to drop by for a hot bath to make you feel refreshed after a good hike.

◆Getting there

From the north side of Hiroshima Station, head for north to Toshogu Shrine. From the precincts of the shrine, a trail leads you into the mountain to Peace Pagoda .

◆Suggested Schedule

JR Hiroshima Sta. Shinkansen side(9:30)---Toshogu Shrine(9:40-9:50)---

----Mt. Futaba(10:10)----Mt.Onaga---Mt.Ushita(12:00-14:00)----

----Kanda-sanso(14:30)---Ushita-shinmachi(15:00)---Hiroshima Sta.(15:30)