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Top Things To Do In Hiroshima

Amy Dodgson

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Amy Dodgson

Last updated : Jan 26, 202413 min read

Things To Do

Hiroshima is  a modern city steeped in history that was largely destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. Today the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park marks the tragic 1945 event. In the park you can see the ruins of Genbaku Dome, one of the few buildings that was left standing near ground zero. Other prominent sites include Shukkei-en, a formal Japanese garden, and Hiroshima Castle, a fortress surrounded by a moat and a park. The beautiful Miyajima is also a must visit with the iconic Itsukushima shrine. Check out our concise list to help plan you trip in Hiroshima. 
 

The Atomic Bomb Dome

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A World Heritage site, the Atomic Bomb Dome – A symbol of people’s prayers for world peace
A building heavily damaged and exposed to radiation during WWII by the first ever used atomic bomb. The building has been preserved in the state it was immediately after the bombing, and has continued to testify the horrors of an atomic bomb.

A building damaged and exposed at a very short distance from the hypocenter. The building was designed by a Czech architect Jan Letzel and was opened as a hall for displaying products of Hiroshima Prefecture. It was a modern, three-story brick building with a European architectural design and a characteristic dome. Together with its reflection in the river, this elegant building was considered one of Hiroshima’s scenic spots. However, more than 90% of Hiroshima City’s buildings were blown out or burnt down by the atomic bombing on A...

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Business hours
- Everyday
Phone
082-242-7831
Price
- Free
Website
honyaku.j-server.com

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

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Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park – A place for learning about the war and the atomic bombing, and for contemplating on peace
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park – A place filled with people’s prayers for peace

Peace Memorial Park is located near the hypocenter. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is on the opposite side of the Atomic Bomb Dome across a river. Praying for eternal world peace, this park was established near the hypocenter of the atomic bomb explosion. A large number of monuments to the atomic bomb victims and peace monuments are set up in the vast grounds of the park. The monument at the center of the park dedicated to the atomic bomb victims is shaped in a form of a house to protect the souls of the victims from rain and wind. When looked a...

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Phone
082-504-2390
Price
- Free
Website
en.wikipedia.org

Sera Kogen Farm

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Enjoy a variety of flowers throughout the seasons at Japan’s largest flower farm
A spring tulip festival, a summer sunflower festival and an autumn dahlia festival are all held on the farm’s 150,000 ㎡ grounds. The barbeques on the terrace and the café are also popular.

Operating only during events 3 times a year, located in the center of Hiroshima Prefecture on the 500m-high Sera Highlands, Sera Kogen Farm is about 40 minutes away from downtown Onomichi by car. The farm is only open during the seasons of spring, summer and autumn when the festivals are held. The flowers are hand-planted for each event. There is an observation point from where you can view the entire farm which provides incredible flower fields on a massive scale. Plenty of flowery scenes that are highlights for every season The Spring...

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Phone
0847-24-0014
Price
- Adult: 800 JPY
- Child: 400 JPY
Child admission: 4 years to elementary school age
Website
sera.ne.jp

Sankei-en

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A Japanese garden which represents Hiroshima’s sceneries with a motif of mountains, villages and the sea
The scenes of Hiroshima Prefecture’s mountains, canyons and the Seto Inland Sea have been converted into a garden to adapt with the natural scenery using huge rocks and trees. Enjoy beautiful scenery all the year round via flora such as plums, hydrangea and the fall colors.

A garden with the motif of Hiroshima’s symbolic sceneries. Hiroshima Prefecture possesses numerous canyons against the backdrop of deep rolling woods, remote valley woodlands and places of scenic beauty within the Seto Inland Sea best symbolized by Miyajima. These scenes have been incorporated within the 6-hectare Sankei-en Garden through Japanese garden techniques. Located beside Hiroshima Airport, the garden is inside Chuo Shinrin Park and is divided into mountain, village and ocean zones. Along with the Flower Festival in early summer...

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Business hours
- Everyday
April-September AM9:00~PM6:00(During the 2 nights of the Moon-Viewing Party in September, the garden is also open from PM6:15~PM8:40)
October-March AM9:00~PM5:00

Phone
0848-86-9200
Price
- Adult: 260 JPY
- Child: 130 JPY
High school students and older pay adult prices
※During the Flower Festival and Maple Festival, adults pay 310 yen and children pay 160 yen
※During the Moon-Viewing Party, adults pay 500 yen and children pay 200 yen

Hiroshima Electric Railway

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“Moving museums (trolleys)” ranging from retro trains to the latest vehicles
The Hiroshima Electric Railway has a history of well over 100 years possessing Japan’s largest surface network. Various trains are running ranging from those that encountered the atomic bombing to the latest models. The annual trolley festival is also popular.

A traffic network which is at the center of Hiroshima tourism. There is hardly any waiting time for the trolleys which leave one after the other from the stop in front of JR Hiroshima Station, and in a day, an average of over 150,000 riders travel on Japan’s largest trolley network. Naturally along with travel within the city of Hiroshima, the network also connects with Miyajima-guchi which is the gateway to Miyajima and Hiroshima Port which is the starting point for cruises around the Seto Inland Sea so that the Hiroshima Electric Railw...

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Phone
082-242-3521
Price
Varies depending on the trolley line
Website
www.hiroden.co.jp

Hijiyama Park

An art park known for its cherry blossoms where you can get a panoramic view of Hiroshima and the Seto Inland Sea
Located in the city of Hiroshima as a famous site for cherry blossoms. You can get a full view of the metropolis from the top of a small hill and the art museum and manga library inside the park are places to relax.

The park, which can be reached from Hiroshima Station by trolley in about 8 minutes, is a site that extends north and south along the 71m-high Mt. Hiji. From the 2 observation points inside the park, you can get a view of the city of Hiroshima and the Seto Inland Sea, and enjoy both the daytime and nighttime views. Also known for its cherry blossoms, approximately 1300 cherry trees go into full bloom between late March and early April, attracting many flower-viewing...

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Business hours
- Everyday (5:00 AM ~ 11:00 PM )
Phone
082-250-8956
Price
- Free
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art requires admission
Hiroshima City Manga Library is free of admission

Website
www.hiroshima-navi.or.jp

Miyajima Omotesando Arcade

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Omotesando Arcade is the busiest area for Miyajima tourism as the main street of Itsukishima Shrine
A shopping street where you can walk and enjoy traditional Miyajima craftsmanship and the famed Hiroshima specialties of oysters and momiji manjuu (maple buns). The area also has the world’s largest rice scoop, O-Shakushi, and at night, the area is also illuminated.

Enjoy noontime bustle and nighttime illumination. One of the three routes heading to Itsukishima Shrine from Miyajima Pier, Miyajima Omotesando Arcade is the liveliest spot on the island. The arcade has an open-and-shut form of canvas which can be used as a sunshade during the summer and as a shelter from rain so that no matter the weather, you can enjoy your shopping. Along with the traditional Miyajima handicrafts, there are also plenty of restaurants serving fare such as oysters, conger eel and momiji manju. After sunset, although the stores have...

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Phone
0829-44-2011
Price
- Free
For shopping, prices vary depending on the establishment
Website
www.miyajima.or.jp

Itsukushima Shrine

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Itsukushima Shrine and Seto Inland Sea – A gorgeous view of a shrine “floating” in the sea
The island of Itsukushima (also called Miyajima) is known as one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. Itsukushima shrine, an invaluable site, is a visual representation of the form of the ancient Japanese Shinto worship. The gorgeous shrine and grand torii gate “floating” in the sea are spectacular.

A view drastically changed by the tides, Itsukushima shrine is constructed in the architectural style of the Heian period (794 – 1185). It is a unique building which likens the Seto Inland Sea to a pond. This grandeur, red lacquer-coated shrine blends natural and man-made beauty in perfect harmony; the view completely changes during high tide when the shrine and corridors appear as though they are floating in the sea. The entire island is considered as a holy object in which a deity resides; in the front of the holy island is Seto Inland...

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Business hours
- Everyday (6:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
0829-44-2020
Price
- Adult: 300 JPY
- Child: 100 JPY
Website
visit-miyajima-japan.com

Kamiyacho and Hatchobori

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A major center in Hiroshima which is a shopping area that brings together everything from a commercial district to department stores
Kamiyacho and Hatchobori is a business district that is directly connected to the Hiroshima Bus Center. Located near tourist spots such as Hiroshima Castle and the A-Bomb Dome, it can be fully enjoyed for its shopping and cuisine.

A central area in Hiroshima which is truly convenient for tourism and traffic. Hatchobori is a 20-minute walk or a 10-minute tram ride from Hiroshima Station. The neighboring Kamiyacho is also accessible by tram and it can also be reached on foot by walking on the main shopping street. Since the Hiroshima Bus Center is in Kamiyacho, you can also directly get there from the airport. In the surrounding vicinity, there are places such as Hiroshima Castle, Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine, the A-Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Park so that tourism and sho...

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Phone
082-243-5716
Price
Varies depending on the establishment

Hiroshima Gogoku Shrine

Located on the grounds of Hiroshima Castle, it is the Chugoku district’s foremost shrine which has also been visited by the local professional baseball team
A shrine which is dedicated to the more than 90,000 war dead. Carp that has a deep connection with Hiroshima can be seen everywhere, and during the 3 days of the New Year’s holidays when the hatsumode (first prayers of the New Year) celebrations are taking place, 600,000 people visit the shrine which is the most prominent in the Chugoku district.

A shrine dedicated to the war dead which prays for peace. Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine, which is built upon the grounds for Hiroshima Castle, has a serene atmosphere in contrast with the hustle and bustle of the city. It was originally built in 1868 in honor of the warriors of the Asano clan who had died in battle during the Bonin War. Since then, however, it has also been dedicated to the more than 90,000 war dead from the Second World War. Although it had been destroyed once after the atomic bombing, it was rebuilt on the grounds of the remnants...

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Business hours
- Everyday
Phone
082-221-5590
Price
- Free
Website
en.wikipedia.org

Mitaki-dera Temple

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The temple of more than 300 serenely standing stone Buddha statues is located close to downtown Hiroshima
You are enveloped by the deep serenity of stone Buddha on the mountainside becoming one with nature. Known as a famous place for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, an old residence has been refurbished as a popular teahouse with a calm atmosphere.

A temple to enjoy the serenity despite its proximity to downtown. By car, it is only a 10-minute drive from the core of the city of Hiroshima. Located in a deep mountain valley, Mitaki-dera Temple is on the side of Mt. Mitaki and has a quiet air about it although it is close to the downtown area. The temple grounds which have a grand view of the city are in the form of a garden, and on the sando path to the temple, there are stone Buddha statues and tanka inscriptions which look out for the worshipers. The 3 waterfalls which flow within the...

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Business hours
- Everyday
March-November AM8:00~PM5:30
December-February AM8:00~PM5:00

Phone
082-237-0811
Price
- Free
Website
en.wikipedia.org

Hiroshima Castle

Restored splendidly, Hiroshima Castle is a resurrected National Treasure
Hiroshima Castle was restored splendidly after it had been blown out by the atomic bomb. The moat, stone walls and the restored ninomaru section are all spectacular. Also, visitors can dress up as a wartime samurai, complete with a samurai helmet!

A reconstructed brilliant castle Hiroshima Castle, is a 15-minute walk either from the JR Hiroshima Station or from the Atomic Bomb Dome. The castle was completed in 1589. It is said that a feudal lord during the Warring States period, Terumoto Mori, initiated the construction of the castle after feeling the necessity of having one following a visit to the Osaka Castle upon an invitation from Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a preeminent feudal lord who eventually brought an end to the Warring States period. Though it was designated as a National Treasure...

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Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
082-221-7512
Price
- Adult: 370 JPY
Website
www.rijo-castle.jp

Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins

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Ruins from the Sengoku Era excavated in their entirety with a restored castle town that cannot be missed
The remains of the castle town of the Asakura clan that controlled Echizen Province for 103 years. You can take in the sights of the Sengoku (Warring States) Era which include the excavated ruins, gardens with the appearance of those old days, and the restored townscape.

A treasured historic site from the Sengoku Era which has received three national accolades. Ichijōdani Asakura Family Historic Ruins, which spreads out over a quiet mountainous area, is a place that was once under control for 103 years by the Sengoku Era Asakura clan. At its height, the area once had a population of over 10,000 residents, booming with an opulent culture. However with its losses during a civil war, it was defeated and burned down in flames. Afterwards in 1967, an archaeological investigation was launched and over a long period...

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Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
0776-41-2330
Price
Fukugen Machinami (restored townscape)
Adults 210 yen
Junior high school students and younger are free

Website
www.fuku-e.com

Written by Amy Dodgson

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GoWithGuide’s writers are passionate travel specialists sharing unique tips and essential information for global explorers.

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