Hiroshima
Save27 hand-picked places in 10 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Riverside park honouring the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing.
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: Allow a few hours
2 tips
- Free to enter and open all day
- Visit the Children Peace Monument and Cenotaph
📷 Photos
- 2
Ruined hall left standing near the hypocentre, a UNESCO site.
3 tips
- Free to view from the riverbank
- Best photos at dusk when lit
- Cross Motoyasu Bridge for the classic angle
📷 Photos
- 3
Powerful museum documenting the atomic bombing and its aftermath.
- Tip: Go early
3 tips
- Allow at least 90 minutes
- Audio guide available in English
- Small entrance fee
📷 Photos
- 4
Famous shrine on Miyajima with buildings built over the sea.
- Tip: Go early
3 tips
- Check tide times for floating effect
- Take the ferry from Miyajimaguchi
- Entrance fee required
📷 Photos
- 5
Iconic vermilion torii gate that appears to float at high tide.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Walk to it at low tide
- High tide is best for photos
- Sunset views are spectacular
📷 Photos
- 6
Reconstructed castle with a moat, museum and city views.
3 tips
- Climb to the top for views
- Combine with Shukkeien Garden
- Cherry blossoms in spring
📷 Photos
- 7
Elegant Edo-period landscape garden with a central pond and bridges.
3 tips
- Open daily with small fee
- Beautiful in autumn colours
- Tea house on the pond
📷 Photos
- 8
Sacred peak on Miyajima with ropeway and panoramic Seto Inland Sea views.
4 tips
- Ropeway saves a steep climb
- Hike down via Daishoin for temples
- Bring water
- Watch for wild monkeys and deer
📷 Photos
- 9
Multi-storey building packed with Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki stalls.
- Tip: Go early
3 tips
- Hiroshima style includes noodles
- Counter seating watches the chef
- Cash is useful
📷 Photos
- 10
Atmospheric Shingon temple at the foot of Mount Misen.
3 tips
- Free entry
- Look for the thousands of small statues
- Stairs lined with prayer wheels
📷 Photos
Take this map with you
Opens Google Maps with these places, ready to save to your own list.
Before you go: Hiroshima tips
Transportation
- Tap on with an IC card: ICOCA, Suica and other IC cards work on Hiroshima's streetcars and buses, saving you from fumbling for coins.
- Take the streetcar to the Peace Park: Lines from Hiroshima Station stop at Genbaku Dome-mae, right beside the Atomic Bomb Dome.
- Reach Miyajima by train and ferry: Ride the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi, then hop on the short ferry to the island.
Security
- Relax but stay aware: Hiroshima is very safe, though you should still watch your bag in crowded arcades and on busy trams.
- Keep food away from Miyajima deer: The deer may nip or grab bags, and feeding them is discouraged.
- Know your earthquake basics: Japan has frequent tremors; note the evacuation instructions in your hotel room.
Saving
- Explore free memorial sites: The Peace Memorial Park, Children's Peace Monument and Atomic Bomb Dome are all free to visit.
- Eat lunch sets: Many restaurants offer good-value lunch sets that are much cheaper than dinner menus.
- Consider a regional rail pass: If exploring the Hiroshima area or nearby cities, a JR West regional pass can save money compared with individual tickets.
Weather/Clothing
- Choose spring or autumn: Mild temperatures make March to May and October to November the most comfortable times to explore on foot.
- Pack rain gear in June: The rainy season brings frequent showers, so a compact umbrella and quick-drying shoes are useful.
- Dress light in summer: July and August are hot and humid; bring breathable clothing, a hat and a water bottle.
Cultural
- Fold a paper crane: Paper cranes are a symbol of peace in Hiroshima, linked to the story of Sadako Sasaki at the Children's Peace Monument.
- Eat at the counter: Okonomiyaki is often cooked on a hot griddle in front of you; eat straight from the plate with a small spatula.
- Remove shoes when asked: In traditional inns, some restaurants and temples you will need to take off your shoes, so wear easy slip-ons.
Local Hacks
- See Shukkeien Garden: This traditional Japanese garden near Hiroshima Castle offers a peaceful break from the city.
- Visit the Peace Park at dusk: The park is quieter in the evening and the lit Atomic Bomb Dome is moving to see.
- Stay overnight on Miyajima: Day-trippers leave in the late afternoon, so an overnight stay lets you enjoy the island in peace.
1-day itineraries in Hiroshima
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 2
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and around
🕘 9:30–17:00📍 5 stops
- 1Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
- 2Peace Memorial Park
- 3Atomic Bomb Dome
- 4Hiroshima Castle
- 5Shukkeien Garden
Day 2 of 2
Mount Misen and around
🕘 9:30–17:00📍 5 stops
- 1Mount Misen
- 2Daishō-in Temple
- 3Miyajima History and Folklore Museum
- 4Itsukushima Shrine
- 5Great Torii of Miyajima