Despite Hiroshima’s devastating history, the city today is stunning with many interesting places to visit. Here are 5 places you should visit while in Hiroshima.
1. Peace Memorial Museum
The Peace Memorial Museum is a genuinely somber experience. However, I think this is a must-visit in Hiroshima. It’s difficult to comprehend the destruction in Hiroshima due to the atomic bomb. The museum does a fantastic job of showing the horror. Give yourself time to visit the museum and take in the story.
Hours:
March – July & September – November: 8:30-18:00
August: 8:30-19:00
December – February: 8:30-17:00
Cost: ¥200
2. Peace Memorial Park
You can pair a visit to Peace Memorial Park with your visit to the Peace Memorial Museum. They go hand in hand. Upon leaving the museum, you can go farther into the park and visit the many monuments.
The cenotaph at the park’s center is dedicated to those who lost their lives to the bomb. Through the arch of the cenotaph, you can see the peace flame and the atomic bomb dome. The peace flame burns continuously and is to remain lit until the planet is free from nuclear bombs.
You can make your way toward the atomic bomb dome and visit the Children’s Peace Monument. This monument is home to thousands of paper cranes and is dedicated to the children affected by the bombing. It is believed if you fold 1000 paper cranes, you can make a wish, and it will come true.
Crossing the bridge from the park, you can get closer to the atomic bomb dome. This iconic building is the remains of the Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was one of the few near the hypocenter that remained standing.
You can visit the atomic bomb’s hypocenter if you want to take a short detour from the Atomic Bomb Dome. There is a plaque noting the location.
3. Hiroshima Castle
If you head north from the park and atomic bomb dome, you can visit Hiroshima Castle. The castle is a recreation due to the bombing. However, the castle is stunning and has great views. It’s also an excellent location to see cherry blossoms if you visit in the spring. The castle also houses a museum of the history of Hiroshima before the bombing.
There is also a tree located at the castle that survived the bombing of Hiroshima.
4. Miyajima Island
Miyajima Island can be an entire day trip of its own. This island is in Hiroshima Bay, and you will need to take a ferry to get to the island.
Miyajima has something for everyone. You can visit Itsukushima Shrine and the giant torii gate in the ocean. Depending on the time you visit the island, you can walk up to the torii gate. If you collect goshuin (shine seals), you can get one at Itsukushima.
If you missed out on visiting Nara and seeing the deer, there are also a ton of deer walking around Miyajima in the town. Speaking of the town, it’s quaint, and there are many cute shops and eateries.
If you are interested in nature or looking for a great view, you can ascend Mount Missen. You can either hike up or take the ropeway. If you opt to take the ropeway, it is still a short hike to the observatory at the top. The view is worth it.
You can then choose to take the ropeway back down or hike down. If you plan to spend most of your day on Miyajima, I suggest taking the ropeway up and hiking back down. This route should take enough time that you will be able to see the torii gate with the tide both in and out.
You can also spend the night on Miyajima in a traditional Ryokan.
Ropeway Hours:
Up: 9:00 – 16:00
Down: 9:30 – 16:30
Ropeway Cost:
One Way: ¥1,010
Round Trip: ¥1,840
5. Shukkeien
Shukkeien garden is what a lot of people picture when they think of a Japanese garden. It is a 400-year-old shrunken garden built around the same time as Hiroshima Castle.
The garden has various sceneries with a lake at the center. A path winds through the different areas. Around the garden, there are multiple tea houses that are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the view.
The garden is stunning during any season of the year.
Hours:
Mid-March to September: 9:00 – 17:00
October to Mid-March: 9:00 – 18:00
Cost: ¥260
