10 Best Things to Do in Hiroshima

The vast Peace Memorial Park, located in the center of Hiroshima City, was built to commemorate the victims of the atomic bomb and to pray for lasting world peace. It receives many visitors who pray for peace from all over the world. In the park you’ll find the Atomic Bomb Dome, registered as a World Heritage Site, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and various monuments such as the Children's Peace Monument and Hiroshima Peace Bell, and events such as the Peace Memorial Ceremony and lantern floating are held every year on the 6th of August.

There’s a lot to see, so make sure you set aside plenty of time to visit. You can sign up for a guided tour from a peace volunteer at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

Hiroshima Castle (Hiroshimajo), lovingly nicknamed Rijo, was built by Terumoto Mori, one of Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s vassals during the Warring States period. Thanks to its excellent location in the city centre and within walking distance from the Atomic Bomb Dome, this is a must for all visitors to Hiroshima.

To take time to really appreciate the beauty of this castle, go for a boat tour in the moat. On a sunny day, you can see the magnificent castle tower reflected in the water. The inside of the castle tower is now a museum that displays materials used in the castle.

Shukkeien is a pond garden located next to Hiroshima Castle and was built for the second residence of the Lord of the Hiroshima Domain, Nagaakira Asano. This elegant garden has been chosen as one of the top 100 Japanese historical parks and features a pond with several islands, surrounded by bridges, a teahouse, and a small hill.

The charming thing about Shukkeien is that it preserves nature despite being in right in the middle of Hiroshima City. Plum blossoms and cherry blossoms in spring, and maple and ginkgo in autumn make the garden beautiful and colorful throughout the year. You can also enjoy a guided tour with a volunteer guide.

Itsukushima, commonly known as Miyajima Island, is famous as an island of gods and receives visitors from all over the world year-round. In addition to visiting the World Heritage Site of Itsukushima Shrine, which stands in the sea, there are many things to see on Itsukushima such as a shopping area on the approach to Itsukushima Shrine where you’ll find special items related to Miyajima.

If you visit, take the time to check out the spiritually significant Mount Misen too. Take the Miyajima Ropeway up to Shishiiwa Observatory to enjoy spectacular views of the calm Seto Inland Sea.

Mitaki-dera (Mitaki Temple), located in the northern part of Hiroshima City, has a rich history, and the people of Hiroshima have long been familiar with it as Mitaki Kannon. It’s also famous for its autumn colors. There’s a pagoda (Tahoto) dedicated to the victims of the atomic bomb, and the wooden-seated Amida Nyorai Statue, a Nationally Important Cultural Property, is enshrined here.

The precincts of the temple are covered with dense forest. The sound of 3 cascading waterfalls, which gave Mitaki (literally meaning “3 waterfalls”) its name, creates a solemn atmosphere. It’s beautiful in the autumn, but it’s also ideal as a walking course to escape the summer heat and enjoy a moment of cool.

Itsukushima Shrine, a designated National Treasure and World Heritage Site, is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Hiroshima and is renowned for its mysterious appearance, as it seems to float on the water. It was built using shinden-zukuri, an architectural style adopted for the residences of nobles that brings the elegance of the Heian period culture into the present day.

Almost all the precincts are designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. There are also many photogenic spots that will make you lose track of time. At low tide, you can visit the Otorii (Great Gate) in the sea on foot. (Note that the Great Gate is currently under renovation, and the date of completion hasn't been set.)

Orizuru Tower, which is right next to the Atomic Bomb Dome, is a landmark of Hiroshima overlooking the Peace Memorial Park. You can enjoy a view of downtown Hiroshima, including the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Castle, from the rooftop observatory.

After sunset, Orizuru Tower offers stunning night views of Hiroshima. It's a popular spot with an atmosphere that's ideal both for romantic trips and fun trips as a family.

The Hiroshima Botanical Garden stretches across a hill overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. It’s set on a vast site of 18.3 hectares, with a variety of facilities including a Main Conservatory, Cactus Display House, Tropical Water Lily Display House, Research Laboratory, Lawn Plaza, and Arboretum, and about 230,000 plants of about 10,000 varieties.

It’s a popular destination for local primary and secondary schools and community groups for social learning because of its extensive nature experience activity programs for children to enjoy, such as a stamp collecting activities, guided tours, and reed pipe experiences.

Hiroshima Toshogu Shrine located on Mount Futabayama in Hiroshima City was built by then-Lord of the Hiroshima Domain, Mitsuakira Asano, in 1648 to enshrine Ieyasu Tokugawa. It’s within walking distance from Hiroshima Station and its convenience makes it very crowded during the first temple visit of the New Year and during the Shichi-go-san festival to celebrate the growth of children. It’s also said that visiting this shrine will ensure safe childbirth.

The shrine with its cypress bark roof, middle gate, Mizugaki fences, and front hall of worship were destroyed by the atomic bomb, but the present pavilion was rebuilt in 1965 commemorating the 350th anniversary of Ieyasu’s death.

If you’re visiting Hiroshima, you must try the piping hot okonomiyaki (a Japanese-style pancake dish). Okonomimura (Okonomiyaki Village) located in Shintenchi in downtown Hiroshima is one of the best places to do this.

The 4-storey building is full of lively restaurants that preserve the atmosphere of a post-war village full of food stalls, which is the inspiration for Okonomiyaki Village. It’s also a popular tourist spot, so much so that it was ranked No. 1 food theme park for families in Japan by Nikkei in 2004.