In a nutshell
- Most of Hiroshima’s attractions revolve around the 1945 atomic bombing. We visited the city and are sharing the 7 most important highlights with you.
- We’ll also give you our hotel recommendations and suggest two truly beautiful day trips from Hiroshima.
- By the way, traveling to Hiroshima today is completely safe. The city is no longer contaminated by radiation.
All Hiroshima Highlights on One Map
To give you a sense of where everything is, we’ve marked all the must-sees on a map. The good news: you can comfortably visit all the highlights in a single day.
Peace Park: Peace Memorial Park
The Peace Park is by far the most important attraction in Hiroshima and, for most visitors, the reason they include the city in their Japan itinerary.
The park was built after World War II on the site where the atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945 — one of the most horrific events in human history.
The park grounds sit on an island in the middle of the city. There are several deeply moving spots here, which we cover in entries No. 2, 3, and 4.
Our Tour Tip: Tour through Hiroshima with a local — you’ll get fascinating insights into the past, present, and future of the city.
A-Bomb Dome
The A-Bomb Dome immediately catches your eye. The building was one of the few that was not completely destroyed by the atomic bomb — it stood just meters from the point of detonation.
It was left as a memorial in its damaged state, a permanent reminder of the devastation. You can’t go inside, but the view from outside is more than enough. It’s one of the most moving things to see in Japan.
Peace Monument: Children's Peace Monument
The Children’s Peace Monument is dedicated to the children of Hiroshima who suffered under the atomic bombing. It depicts a girl holding an origami crane — her name was Sadako Sasaki.
She was just two years old when the bomb fell. She appeared to survive without injury, but at age 12 she was diagnosed with leukemia.
After her diagnosis, Sadako folded over 1,000 paper cranes, following the old belief that doing so grants you a wish. Sadly, her wish to recover never came true.
Through Sadako, the paper crane became a symbol of peace and hope — and it’s impossible to stand here without feeling it.
Flame of Peace & Peace Memorial Museum
Across from the Children’s Monument, the Flame of Peace has been burning since 1964 — and it will keep burning until all nuclear weapons on Earth have been destroyed.
At the far end of the park stands the Peace Memorial Museum. This is where the full horror of the atomic bombing becomes truly, viscerally real.
Some exhibits are genuinely hard to bear — like the tricycle of a young boy who didn’t survive, warped and melted by the heat. Even so, you should absolutely visit. Admission costs 200 yen.
Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima Castle was originally built in the 16th century and faithfully reconstructed after the atomic bombing.
It sits in the middle of a large park. Inside, you’ll find an exhibition on the history of Hiroshima — honestly, it’s not the most thrilling museum, but the view from the top over the park and city is a real highlight. Admission costs 370 yen.
Shukkei-en Garden
Shukkei-en Garden was one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens we visited on our entire trip. “Shukkei” roughly translates to “compressed landscape” — so you’ll find various landscapes from across Japan recreated in miniature form.
You can stroll across small bridges, admire the plants, or just watch the turtles swimming in the pond. A really lovely, peaceful spot. Admission costs 260 yen.
Eating Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a classic Japanese dish that’s still largely unknown in the West — and Hiroshima is the best place in Japan to try it. It’s cooked right in front of you on a hot griddle.
First, a crêpe-like base is made. Then cabbage and thinly sliced meat are layered in. You can add seafood or green onions, and it’s all finished with an egg and a delicious savory sauce.
Hiroshima is considered the okonomiyaki capital of Japan — supposedly home to more than 2,000 restaurants serving it.
Our top pick: head to Okonomi-mura right in the city center. Spread across six floors, you’ll find 25 different okonomiyaki restaurants all under one roof. Don’t miss it.
Day Trips from Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a fantastic base for exploring the surrounding area. Here are our two top picks for day trips — both are seriously worth your time.
Day Trip to Miyajima
A day trip to Miyajima Island is an absolute must. Located about 20 kilometers south of Hiroshima, this is where the iconic floating torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine stands in the water — one of the most photographed spots in Japan.
Don’t skip the Daisho-In temple on the hillside either. It’s far quieter than the shrine, since most visitors walk straight past it — but it’s a wonderful, atmospheric spot.
The journey by public transit in Japan takes about an hour. You take the JR train from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi, then the JR ferry across to the island. With a Japan Rail Pass, the entire trip including the ferry is free.
Book a guided tour to Miyajima Island online
Day Trip to Himeji
A day trip to Himeji is absolutely worth it. This is where you’ll find Himeji Castle, widely considered the most beautiful castle in all of Japan — and honestly, it lives up to the hype.
By Shinkansen, the journey takes one hour. If you’re staying at a hotel in Kyoto or accommodation in Osaka and heading to Hiroshima from there, the smartest move is to stop in Himeji on the way.
Three to four hours on the ground is plenty. We just stored our bags at the station and explored the castle and the beautiful garden right next to it.
Where to Stay in Hiroshima: Our Hotel Tips
For this Hiroshima travel guide, our recommendation is to stay right in the city center. All the main attractions are within walking distance, and you’ll have a great selection of restaurants on your doorstep.
Hotel prices in Hiroshima are thankfully much lower than at hotels in Tokyo or Kyoto.
On our trip to Japan, we spent two nights at the Hiroshima Washington Hotel and can highly recommend it. The location is perfect — right in the downtown area with Okonomi-mura literally on the doorstep. The rooms were genuinely spacious by Japanese standards, and the value for money is really solid.
Here are our 3 quick picks for more great places to stay in Hiroshima:
Looking for more hotel tips across Japan? Check out this article where we’ve listed all the places we stayed during our Japan trip:
Exploring Hiroshima with a Local
If you’d rather explore with an expert guide than on your own, we’d definitely recommend booking a tour. An English-speaking local will show you the best spots in Hiroshima and the surrounding area over the course of a full day.
Book the private Hiroshima day tour
For an evening experience, there’s also a great nighttime food tour where your guide shares insider tips on the best food and drinks the city has to offer — a really fun way to get an authentic feel for local life.
