During my first trip to Hiroshima, I was surprised by how many interesting things there are to do in Hiroshima, many of which I hadn’t heard about before visiting. While visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum is an essential part of any first trip to Hiroshima, there is so much to see & do in this beautiful Japanese city.

I’ve rounded up the 10 best things to do in Hiroshima, based on my own experience, that will help you plan your trip to the city. I’d recommend spending 2 days in Hiroshima on your first trip, and add another day if you want to visit Miyajima.

For more Hiroshima tips, check out my Hiroshima Travel Guide.

1. Peace Memorial Park Hiroshima

The Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima is the city’s best-known attraction, and an essential part of any first visit to the city. The park has breathed new life into what was the centre of the bomb blast, and honours the lives of the 140,000 people who died due to the bombing.

Some of the most notable features in the Peace Memorial Park are the Peace Flame,  the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims and the Children’s Peace Monument, which is dedicated to the children killed in the bombing.

You could easily spend half a day between the Peace Memorial Park and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

2. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum honours the lives of those who died because of the A-Bomb, whether they perished when the bomb dropped or died as a result of lasting injuries or illness, sometimes decades later. While the museum experience is incredibly sobering, it does an excellent job of sharing the stories of specific specific citizens, and honours their memories.

There is a warning inside the museum that the content may be traumatic for children under 15 years, and that they should be monitored closely. Personally I wouldn’t visit with a child under the age of 12, because it is deeply distressing, and at times graphic. 

If you’re visiting with young children, there is still a lot that can be learned from a well-informed visit to the Peace Memorial Park.

3. Okonomi-mura

My favourite experience in Hiroshima was visiting Okonomi-mura, a unique “okonomiyaki village” of more than 25 okonomiyaki restaurants. We went for dinner, two nights in a row!

Okonimimura is located in downtown Hiroshima, and was established in 1965. It looks like barely anything has changed inside, and it has a deliciously un-polished vibe. Crowded corners are piled with boxes, the walls are covered in faded posters, and the restaurants are packed in like a tin of sardines.

Okonomiyaki is a large, rich dish of noodles, cabbage and a crepe-like batter, toppings such as pork or fried eggs. Hiroshima has its own unique style of okonomiyaki, which is distinct from Osaka-style okonomiyaki. I prefer the Hiroshima style, which I’d never come across outside Hiroshima (I’d tried the Osaka-style in Tokyo and in Australia)Both styles are topped with a rich okonomiyaki sauce. 

4. Shukkien Garden

Shukkien Garden is one of the most beautiful landscape gardens in Japan, and one of the best things to do in Hiroshima for visitors. Shukkien translates to “shrunken scenery”, which describes the garden design which creates Japanese landscapes such as mountains, valleys and forests, in miniature. 

Shukkien Garden dates back more than 400 years, and was originally created around the same time as Hiroshima Castle. Like much of downtown Hiroshima, it was destroyed by the A-Bomb. The current garden was re-built after the bombing.

The garden is built around a central pond, and a path creates a scenic route around the garden through various landscapes. Tea houses in the garden host traditional tea ceremonies throughout the year.

Shukkien Garden closes at 5 or 6pm depending on the season, and admission closes 30 minutes prior to closing. I recommend allowing for an hour to explore. Admission is 260 yen (approximately 2.60 AUD).

5. Day Trip to Miyajima to the Itsukushima Shrine

Miyajima is a sacred island that is home to the Itsukushima Shrine, which is one of the most iconic sights in Japan. The vermillion tori gate of the Itskukushima Shrine are buried in muddy flats, but appears to float at high tide.

Miyajima is a 10-minute ferry ride from Hiroshima, and ferries depart frequently. You can take the tram from downtown Hiroshima to the ferry, and use your SUICA card on the ferry. No pre-purchase of tickets is necessary.

We stayed overnight on Miyajima, but it is most popular as a day trip from Hiroshima. In a day trip, you’ll have time to admire the shrine and browse the lively Omotesando Market. If you make it a long day and start very early, you might also have time to hike to the summit of Mt Misen. There are two cable cars, but it is also a long hike to the summit from the last cable car. 

6. A-Bomb Dome

The A-Bomb Dome is the only building in downtown Hiroshima that survived the atomic bomb in 1945. The former trade hall was positioned directly under the bomb, which partially protected part of the building’s structure from the blast. Tragically, there were still no survivors who were inside the building.

The A-Bomb Dome is just across the river from the Peace Memorial Park.

7. Kiyochan Ramen

Kiyochan is a tiny, third-generation ramen restaurant in Hondori in downtown Hiroshima, that serves the best ramen. It’s very unassuming, with only a handful of counter seats, but is well worth tracking down for a cheap, and unforgettable lunchtime meal. Kiyochan is less than a 10 minute walk from the Hiroshima Peace Park.

Kiyochan does not take reservations and only takes cash.

8. Hiroshima Castle

The original Hiroshima Castle was built more than 400 years ago, in 1589. Hiroshima developed as a castle town, with the castle at the heart of the city. The castle was destroyed by the atomic bomb, and reconstructed in the 1950s, in a style faithful to the original.

Hiroshima Castle is well worth visiting, especially if you haven’t visited any other Japanese castles. We viewed Osaka Castle from the outside, but toured inside Hiroshim Castle as well, which I highly recommend. Inside the castle is a small museum that tells the story of Hiroshima from the city’s beginnings.

You can also get beautiful views over Hiroshima from the top of the castle keep, on the fifth floor. Hiroshima Castle is much quieter than Osaka Castle with fewer crowds. 

9. Hiroshima Museum of Art

The Hiroshima Museum of Art is a small but impressive private art museum, located in Central Hiroshima. The museum’s collection is approximately half made up of Western-style art from Japanese painters and half from European paintings from well known European artists including Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Matisse, Degas and Cezanne.

When we visited, there was a special exhibition of contemporary Japanese artists, which was the highlight of our visit. It is a small, quiet museum, and a lovely way to enjoy art without the typical crowds.

10. Hiroshima waterfront

The waterfront in Hiroshima, opposite the Peace Memorial Park, is one of the most beautiful parts of Hiroshima. Stroll along the riverbanks and admire the scenery, and stop at one of the many waterfront restaurants or cafes to enjoy the views.

We stopped for a drink at a restaurant along the waterfront, and it was such a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the sunshine, and river views.

Further Reading

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