Hiroshima Travel Guide | Things to do in Hiroshima

Hiroshima

A City of Peace

Hiroshima (広島) is a city located in Chugoku Region. This city is known worldwide for being the target of the world’s first atomic-bomb attack during World War II. In August 1945, a 16-kilotonne atomic bomb was dropped to Hiroshima killing 140,000 people.

Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and the historical museum keeps a constant reminder of that day, and it attracts visitors from all over the world with its message of peace.

The island Miyajima (宮島), which is located less than an hour outside the city of Hiroshima is ranked as one of Japan’s three best views. This small island is most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide looks to be floating on the water.

Miyajima - 宮島

Located approximately 50 minutes by train and ferry from Hiroshima Station, the beautiful shrine standing on the sea of Hiroshima Bay, Itsukushima Shrine, is registered as a World Heritage Site and is one of the “three views of Japan”. In addition to shrines, there are plenty of wonderful spots such as an aquarium, power spots, and tasty Miyajima gourmet.

To get to the island, you can catch a train on Sanyoline from Hiroshima to Miyajima, then catch a ferry. The ferry will only take about 10 minutes. At Hiroshima station, you will be able to buy the JR train ticket as well as Ferry ticket together. (You can but ferry ticket at the ferry terminal).

Peace Memorial Park - 広島平和記念公園

Peace Memorial Park is located in the center of Hiroshima city, built in this place near the hypocenter in hope of permanent world peace.

The park includes the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum exhibiting the state of Hiroshima at the time of the atomic bombing, the Atomic Bomb Dome and the atomic bomb victim memorial monument, the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for Hiroshima atomic bomb victims, the Hiroshima International Conference Center, etc.

The sound of the peace bell ringed with a wish for peace has been selected by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 best Japanese sound landscapes to be preserved.

Peace Memorial Museum - 広島平和記念資料館

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is located in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park together with Atomic Bomb Dome, Victims Memorial Cenotaph and Memorial Bound. The museum documents the atomic bombing of Hiroshima which occurred in World War II. Items left by the victims, A-bombed artifacts, testimonies of A-bomb survivors and related materials are housed at this museum.

Small admission fee is required to enter the museum. Audio player is available in English.

Atomic Bomb Dome - 原爆ドーム

The Atomic Bomb Dome or A-Bomb Dome, originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. The hypocenter was only about 160 metres away from here but the some of the building’s walls and frames surprisingly stayed in place. In 1996, the site was designated as a World Heritage.

Hiroshima Castle - 広島城

Hiroshima Castle, also known as Carp Castle is located approximately 20 minutes walk from the Peace Memorial Park.

You can enter the inside of castle by paying admission fee. It exhibits items from many years ago including written letters, currencies, swords & armours and other items. You can also walk up to the top of the castle where you can enjoy the nice view of Hiroshima.

Mazda Museum - マツダミュージアム

This is the museum of famous Japanese car manufacturer Mazda. Here you can view the past, current and future technologies of Mazda. A pre-booking is required if you wish to view the production line so please call the museum. The JR Mukaidana station is the closest JR line. You can catch San-yo Line from Hiroshima station and it will be approximately 10 minutes.

Shukkeien - 縮景園

The Shukkeien garden was build in 1620 by the Daimyo of Hiroshima, Asano Nagaakira and his tea master Ueda Soko. This historic garden is beautifully presented and can feel the zen of the traditional Japanese garden. Within Shukkeien there is Atomic Bomb Victims Memorial.