Hiroshima Guide: Best Things To Do And See

Hiroshima is home to two World Heritage Sites, Itsukushima Shrine and the Atomic Bomb Dome. In addition to the World Heritage sites, there are many other places to visit in Hiroshima, including Peace Memorial Park, Senkoji Temple, Tomonoura, and gourmet foods such as oysters and okonomiyaki.

With such a wide variety of attractions, Hiroshima is a place you should definitely visit at least once. But because there are so many attractions, it is difficult to know where to go. In this article, we will introduce some of the recommended sightseeing spots that you must visit in Hiroshima.

Atomic Bomb Dome

The Atomic Bomb Dome conveys the devastation caused by the first atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima at 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945, in the history of mankind. In 1996, it was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site.

The building was built in 1915 as a facility for displaying and selling products from Hiroshima Prefecture and was the site of the Hiroshima Prefecture Art Exhibition and Exposition.

Visitors are not allowed to enter the interior, only the exterior, and the building is illuminated from sunset to sunrise.

Address: 1-10 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Hiroshima Electric Railway “Atomic Bomb Dome-mae” stop

Peace Memorial Park

A vast park that prays for lasting peace in the world

It is hard to believe that this is the place where such a tragic event once took place, and the park is a vast recreational space where people gather and relax.

Surrounded by greenery, the park includes the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, a rest house, and the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims.

Every year on August 6, the “Peace Memorial Ceremony” is held in the park, where the mayor of Hiroshima makes a peace declaration and a silent prayer for the victims of the atomic bombing. The ceremony is currently closed to the public, but when you are able to attend again, please do so.

The Peace Memorial Park is a 15-minute tram ride from Hiroshima Station.

Address: 1 Nakajimacho 1 and 1-10 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Access: 15 min. by tram from Hiroshima Stn. to A-Bomb Dome-mae stop.

Peace Memorial Museum

Here, you can learn about the horrors of war and what happened in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, through exhibits of artifacts left behind by atomic bomb survivors and photos and drawings showing the devastation of the atomic bombing.

At 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945, Hiroshima was hit by the world’s first atomic bomb. Most of the city was destroyed and many lives were lost. Even those who barely survived suffered great mental and physical trauma, and many Hibakusha are still suffering today.

The Peace Memorial Museum collects and exhibits the belongings of A-bomb survivors, as well as photographs and other materials showing the devastation caused by the atomic bombing, and introduces the history of Hiroshima before and after the bombing and the situation in the nuclear age.

Each of the materials reflects the grief and anger of the people of Hiroshima. The wish of Hiroshima, which has recovered from the devastation of the atomic bombing, is to realize a peaceful society without nuclear weapons.

Address: 1-2 Nakajimacho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture Peace Memorial Park
Access

Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine, built on the island of Itsukushima, known as “God’s Island,” was registered as a World Heritage site in 1996.

The shrine pavilions and the Otorii (Grand Gate) are located where the tides rise and fall, providing a beautiful view of the sea at high tide.

At low tide, visitors can walk to the foot of the Otorii and pass through it to visit the shrine.

Explore Miyajima Island

Itsukushima Shrine is not the only attraction of Miyajima. The Omotesando shopping street leading to Itsukushima Shrine is another classic Miyajima spot.

There are more than 10 stores selling the famous Momiji-Manju (sweet bean-jam buns) alone, and you can enjoy eating your way through the shops. Miyajima is also known for the beauty of its forests as well as its ocean.

After paying your respects at Itsukushima Shrine, it is worth visiting Momijidani Park, Omoto Park, or Yayama Park to get in touch with nature.

In addition to Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima, the island of Gods, is dotted with numerous shrines and temples, including Daisho-in Temple, which is associated with Emperor Toba and Hideyoshi Toyotomi.

Visitors can also enjoy touring the atmospheric streets, such as the main approach to Itsukushima Shrine, the retro-modern Machiya Street dotted with stores built in traditional machiya style, and Taki Koji, a gently sloping path leading to Daishoin Temple.

You can also see crafts such as Miyajima ladle and gourmet foods such as sea eel rice and Miyajima oyster mushrooms.

Shukkeien Garden

A beautiful garden in downtown Hiroshima

Shukkeien Garden is a Japanese garden created in 1620 by Nagaaki Asano, a feudal lord of the Hiroshima Domain.

The garden is said to have been modeled after the world-famous West Lake in China, and many tourists visit Shukkeien every year to admire its beauty.

It is within walking distance of Hiroshima Station, so it is possible to visit the garden together with the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

The garden is a circular garden, so visitors can view the beautiful garden from anywhere in the garden. There are also various seasonal events held at Shukkeien throughout the year.

The Cherry Blossom Festival held from March to April, the Tanabata Festival in July, the Momiji Tea Ceremony in November, and the Daifuku Tea Ceremony in January are just a few of the many events that are held at Shukkeien.

Address: 2-11 Kaminobori-machi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Opening hours: 9:00-18:00
Admission: Adults 260 yen / High school and university students 150 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 100 yen
Access: 15-minute walk from JR Hiroshima Station

Hiroshima Castle

A historic site surrounded by a beautiful moat and offering a panoramic view of the city of Hiroshima

Hiroshima Castle, also known as “Koi Castle,” was built by Terumoto Mori, one of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s five great retainers, and is one of the three great flat castles in Japan.

In 1958, the exterior was reconstructed with a reinforced concrete structure. In 1989, the 400th anniversary of the castle’s construction, the Ninomaru area was restored, the moat was cleaned, and the interior was renovated.

Address: 21-1 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Admission to Temple tower: Adult: 370 yen, Seniors (65 and over) and high school students: 180 yen

Sandankyo Gorge

Sandan Gorge is a remarkably scenic spot that has recently become a hot topic due to the trekking boom in Japan. It is located in the Aki region and is a 13-km-long canyon.

The gorge is listed in the “Michelin Green Guide Japon” as having the highest rating of three stars. The landscape looks as if it were lost in the world of landscape painting. Recommended for those who want to be healed by beautiful nature.

To get there, go to the Hiroshima Bus Center from JR Hiroshima Station, and take an express bus for about 75 minutes.

Teishakyo Gorge

Teishakyo Gorge is an 18-meter-long gorge located in the Chugoku Mountains of Hiroshima Prefecture, straddling the town of Jinsekikogen. Visitors can enjoy not only strolling in nature, but also soba noodle making. In this article, we will introduce five things to do in Teishakyo Gorge to enjoy the resort atmosphere.

Teishakyo Gorge is one of the national scenic spots. Together with Sandankyo, it is one of Hiroshima Prefecture’s most famous scenic spots and one of the most famous gorges in Japan.

It is wonderfully spectacular from the fresh green of spring to the changing leaves of autumn. There are also activities in the national park that can be enjoyed in the great outdoors.

It is worth walking around the lake to enjoy the autumn leaves, enjoying them from a boat, and seeing them reflected on the surface of the lake on a day when there is no wind.

In addition to the huge natural bridge, which was formed by the erosion of limestone caves and mountain water, visitors can enjoy both the fresh green leaves in spring and the autumn leaves in fall. The path to the bridge is well maintained and easy to walk.

Orizuru Tower

Located next to the Atomic Bomb Dome, “Orizuru Tower” is a new spot that kills two birds with one stone, allowing you to take stylish pictures while experiencing the past, present, and future of Hiroshima. The main attraction is the beautiful view from the rooftop observation deck 50 meters above ground! The view is like nothing you have ever seen before.

You can re-enter the Orizuru Tower as many times as you like on the same day, so you can take a break at the café, go souvenir shopping, or just enjoy the spectacular view of the sunset.

The observation deck is a wooden deck covered with mesh. It is designed to allow the wind to blow straight through, making it an open and very pleasant space. The Atomic Bomb Dome can be seen in the southwest direction.

Viewing a World Heritage site from above is a rare experience.

The symbol of the Orizuru Tower is the “Orizuru Wall. It is completed by piling up origami cranes with everyone’s prayers on them. Folding origami cranes to wish for peace and throwing them into the “Wall of Origami Cranes” is a special experience that can only be had here.

Okonomimura – Okonomiyaki Village

Okonomimura is Hiroshima’s soul food mecca where More than 20 okonomiyaki restaurants churn out delicious ensembles. It began after the war when okonomiyaki stalls crowded Shintenchi Square in the center of Hiroshima City.

After the eviction from the plaza, the two-story prefab-style stores became nationally known, and the current building was completed in 1992 and has become one of the city’s most popular attractions.

The okonomiyaki is served hot on the griddle in front of you, cooked by the staff with their experienced hands.

The pride of Hiroshima okonomiyaki is the thinly-stretched dough to which ingredients such as cabbage, bean sprouts, and pork belly are added, then flipped over and combined with stir-fried soba noodles.

Address: Shintenchi Plaza 2-4F, 5-13 Shintenchi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City
Website: www.okonomimura.jp

Hiroshima Museum of Art

The Hiroshima Museum of Art has an excellent collection of Impressionist paintings, and visitors can view masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, and others. Special exhibitions are often held that are relatively accessible to everyone and are gaining popularity. Be sure to check out the latest information when visiting Hiroshima.

MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium

MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima is the home of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp baseball team and their fanatical supporters.

With a seating capacity of about 33,000, it is as spacious as a major league baseball stadium. The stadium is full of unique seating options, including sand-covered seats that are close to the ground to enjoy dynamic play, terrace seats with tables and chairs, tatami mats, and “sleeping soberia,” where you can lie down.

Even on days when there are no games, visitors can take a stadium tour (for a fee) to see the bullpen, benches, players’ cafeteria, etc.

Address: 2-3-1 Minami-Kagiya, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Access: About 10 minutes walk from JR “Hiroshima” station.