Known as a ‘little Kyoto’, Tsuwano is only two hours from Hiroshima but sees very few foreign visitors. Koi carp still swim in the streams that line the streets of the preserved samurai quarter,  where there is also a church – built in memory of Japanese Christians who were persecuted during the Meiji era. A short walk away, hundreds of red ‘torii’ gates leading up to Takodani Inari  and its robed Miko shrine maidens. From there, a cable car and hiking trail lead up to castle ruins and a commanding view of the quiet, picturesque valley where Tsuwano lies.