“This village,” the Empress exclaimed, “is truly a sight for sore eyes!” Her words, echoing through time, gave Asahiyama Shrine its nickname: Koi no Jinja, the Shrine of Carp. Today, as you stand before it, can you feel the weight of history in its very stones? Asahiyama Shrine, perched atop a small hill, has witnessed the ebb and flow of life in Hiroshima for centuries. Long before the city bore the name “Hiroshima,” this area was known as “Koi,” thanks to Empress Jingu. Legend has it that in the year 193, while on her way to northern Kyushu, she paused here. The abundant carp in the waters brought her immense joy, leading her to christen the area “Koi Village.” It’s said that the very name “Hiroshima,” meaning “Wide Island,” also has roots in this event. While the destruction of the atomic bomb left its mark, sparing the shrine from fire, Asahiyama Jinja stands as a symbol of resilience and rebirth. As you gaze across the cityscape from its peaceful grounds, remember the echoes of the past that whisper through the ages. They remind us of the enduring spirit of Hiroshima and the enduring power of hope.
芸州廿日市御本陣旧跡
“A castle built on the plain?” you might ask. “Isn’t that a bit…exposed?” And indeed, the Hiroshima Gokoku Jinja, the