Hofu Tenmangu Mitokuji temple Izumo Taisha Omori Silver mine Xavier memorial church peace memorialpark miyajima sanctuary_outline Shukkeien Adachi garden Ikouji Rurikouji temple Amida-ji Sourin-ji Kourakuen Japanese trad.Garden_outline Matsue Yonago Shimonoseki Okayama Hiroshima HAB CITY_outline TSUYAMA TSUWANO MATSUE CHOFU IWAKUNI HAGI SAMURAI towns_outline ONOMICHI YANAI TAKEHARA KURASHIKI TOMO SHIMOKAMAGARI Xavier Cathedral SHIMONOSEKI Washi Touken Bizen Pottery Hagi Pottery & Kilns Japanese trad.artcrafts Experience-outline GEGEGENO Kitaro Matsuda museum Naval Base of Kure MAZDA,Hofu plant Modern Japan-outline Kirin beer Park in Okayama Tottori sand dune Mt.Fuji of Sanin DAISEN SHINJI Lake Iwami coast Oki Hagi coast Nagato SANIN COAST-outline SHUHODO Trail to Hikimi Hiruzen Highland Kibi Highland Tsuyama Travel with Stream locomotive Deep Inland Tour-outline SETO-OHASHI Seto-inland seas OANORAMA view Tiboli Park Tokiwa Park Inland-sea-outline List of Japanese terms Bathing in Japan 7seafood of the Lake Shinji Blow fish Stone fish Show Crab Oysters Buchwheat Noodles Peach and Other fruits Okonomiyaki

 
 
The settlement of Fukuyama is said to have started in 1619 under the Tokugawa Shogunate. In a bit of historical irony, the present official municipality was established in 1916. No matter which date one chooses, though, the city of Fukuyama is one that flower enthusiasts will not want to miss. Razed to the ground during WWII, it was during the rebuilding of the city that roses were selected as being a symbol of the hope, gentleness and beauty that resides in people's hearts and made into a theme for the city's renewal. A thousand roses were planted in Minami Park (now known as Rose Park) and several years later Fukuyama became known as the City of Roses. Nowadays you can see roses everywhere in the city - on people's balconies, on terraces, along the streets. No one has been able to count them all, but with a population of over 400,000 it would not be an exaggeration to say that there is at one rose on display in the city for each and every person. 		 
     
  In May Fukuyama gears up for the Rose Festival, which attracts people from all over the country. But the city is not limited to roses. In late October and early November Fukuyama hosts the Chrysanthemum Exhibition, which is the largest such exhibition in the region. At the beginning of the lunar year (usually early in January) there is an archery ritual exhibition, held to help ring in the new year with good luck. No matter what time of year you visit, there is likely to be something interesting going on  
     
 
Fukuyama also has its share of history. There is a castle that tourists can visit, an excellent example of the “stacked” type of architecture used in classical times. A fire ritual handed down for generations is held in early June; a museum (http://www.facm.net/eng/index2_e.html) that exhibits the unusual combination of classic cars and clocks can also be visited.
 
 
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