Hiroshima Highlights: Top 13 Must-See Attractions

13 Best Things to Do in Hiroshima

1. Stroll Around Shukkeien Garden

One of the first things I recommend you do in Hiroshima is to go on a morning stroll around Shukkeien Garden, a peaceful 16th-century Zen garden with a koi pond, flowering trees, and a traditional pavilion.

The name "Shukkeien" translates to "shrunken-scenery garden", which is exactly how I would describe this garden, as it features so many things, all in a compact little space in the middle of the city.

One of the highlights of Shukkeien is its pond, which is surrounded by walking paths that lead you through a variety of scenic views, including teahouses, bridges, and vibrant seasonal flora. The garden shines the most during spring and autumn, from cherry blossoms to the fiery colors of autumn leaves.

You can expect to spend around 30 minutes walking around the garden before we make our way to the city center. The garden is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 260 JPY per person, which is very affordable, if you ask me.

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2. Check Out Hiroshima Castle

As you continue east from the garden, you will stumble upon Hiroshima Castle, a contemporary recreation of a 16th-century castle that was destroyed during World War II.

The castle now offers a museum where you can learn more about its past, as well as a great view of the city from above. Surrounding the castle are a scenic moat and an expansive garden where you can stroll around and enjoy the changing colors of foliage.

It isn't very big, nor is it as mind-blowing as the one in Osaka or Kumamoto, but it is still worth seeing with its iconic white plastered walls and dark wooden elements, showcasing traditional Japanese castle architecture very well. The castle is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 300 JPY.

3. Visit the Atomic Bomb Dome

The Atomic Bomb Dome is an iconic remains of the Industrial Promotion Hall that was used for several purposes throughout history, including as a military command post during World War 2. It is here, just 600 meters above the dome, where the first Atomic Bomb ever made ignited for the first time in human history.

It is such a moving experience to be able to see the devastating ruin of the dome in person. It becomes even more harrowing to know that the reason the building is still intact is because of how close it was to the hypocenter of the blast.

Nowadays, the Atomic Bomb Dome is preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site and left intact as a reminder of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare and the enduring pursuit of a world without such devastating weapons.

The Atomic Dome is not accessible due to its condition, but you can admire it from the outside. If you want to learn more about the history of the Dome and Hiroshima in general, you might want to join one of the walking tours here to get an even deeper insight into this city.

4. Pay Your Respect at Peace Memorial Park

Surrounding the Atomic Bomb Dome is the Peace Memorial Park, where you will find various monuments that further contribute to promoting a message of peace, reconciliation, and the abolition of nuclear weapons.

At the center, you will find the Victims Memorial Cenotaph, which holds the names of all known victims of the atomic bombing. Its arch shape represents a shelter for the souls of the deceased, and you can line up to pay your respects.

Another important monument to see is the Children's Peace Monument, a monument dedicated to Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died of leukemia as a result of the atomic bomb. Sadako's story inspired the tradition of folding origami cranes for peace, and the monument features a bronze statue of a girl holding a large crane.

A good museum you should check out is Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall, where you can see a panoramic photo of Hiroshima right after the Atomic Bomb went off. So much destruction... and to think that they have rebuilt the entire city into a metropolitan area we walk in today really goes to show just how resilient the locals are.

The whole park is free to enter, and it is open 24/7, so you can visit the park anytime you like. It is an incredibly touching experience to walk around, visit the museums here, and learn more about the devastating consequences of modern warfare.

5. Learn More About Hiroshima During WW2 at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum 🏛️ Best Museum

Another great museum to check out is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, a museum complex dedicated to preserving the memory of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and advocating for a world without nuclear weapons.

The museum houses a comprehensive collection of artifacts, documents, and personal belongings that vividly illustrate the events leading up to the bombing, the immediate aftermath, and the long-term effects on the survivors (hibakusha).

The museum also shares the personal stories of individuals who experienced the atomic bombing firsthand, as well as detailed scale models of Hiroshima before and after the bombing, which really put everything in perspective.

The museum is quite popular, and you might have to line up to get in. Avoid visiting Hiroshima on weekends or during public holidays if you do not want to deal with the crowds. The museum is open from 8:30 AM to 7 PM, and the entrance fee is 200 JPY.

6. Hang out at Hondori

If you are looking for a street to hang out during dinner time in Hiroshima, there's a massive crisscrossing network of shopping streets called Hondori that extends from Hiroshima Memorial Park all the way to Kyobashi River, with plenty of shops and restaurants you can check out.

From branded shops like Uniqlo to awesome restaurant franchises like Ichiran, you will find them all here. It is one of the liveliest streets in Hiroshima, which makes it a great place to go for an evening stroll.

I stumbled upon a nice and cozy square where an R&B event was being held, with a DJ spinning records and merchandise to buy. I ended up sitting there, just listening to the music and immersing myself in the city. It was awesome.

If you are looking for a place to hang out in Hiroshima, make sure to check out Hondori. You never know what you might stumble across on these lively streets!

7. Be Amazed by the Grand Torii Gate on Miyajima Island ❤️ Must Visit

Now that we are done with the tourist attractions in the city, it is time to take the ferry across Hiroshima Bay and visit Miyajima Island, best known for its incredible scenery and the iconic Grand Torii Gate.

The Grand Torii Gate is among the most revered Shinto shrines in Japan, situated in the Seto Inland Sea just off the coast of Hiroshima. The gate is particularly famous for its seemingly magical appearance during high tide when it appears to be floating on the water.

You can take a boat and admire the beauty of the gate up close, or you can admire it from Mikasa Beach. There are also several benches scattered across the shoreline, so you should be able to find a place to sit and enjoy the view at your own leisure here.

The Grand Torii Gate is particularly beautiful at sunset, as the sun dips behind the horizon, casting a mesmerizing silhouette against the backdrop of the ocean and the mountainous landscape of the Japanese mainland. Bathed in the warm glow of the golden hour, it is truly quite a sight to behold.

8. Walk Around Itsukushima Jinja

The Grand Torii Gate is part of Itsukushima Jinja, a sacred shrine with a history that dates all the way back to the 6th Century, and it was among the first places settled by the locals on the island.

The shrine is built in a unique, traditional architectural style characterized by a raised wooden platform that allows the shrine to coexist with the tidal movements of the sea. The complex also includes a Noh theater stage where traditional Japanese Noh performances are occasionally held.

You can get a beautiful photo of the Torii gate from this shrine, but like most photogenic places in Japan, you will have to queue up to get it. Be there early, and you should have the whole place to yourself. The temple is open from 6:30 AM to 6 PM, and the entrance fee is 300 JPY.

9. Admire the Beauty of Toyokuni Shrine Five-Story Pagoda

Not too far from Itsukushima Jinja, you will find Toyokuni Shrine Five-Story Pagoda, another beautiful shrine located on top of a hill overlooking the shoreline. The pagoda was built in the 15th century in the traditional Japanese architectural style with five stories representing each traditional element: fire, earth, metal, water, and wood.

Right by the pagoda, you will find a beautifully preserved wooden pavilion known as Senjokaku or "The Hall of One Thousand Tatami Mats" that houses a number of old traditional artworks that are hung from the ceiling, giving the hall a feel similar to that of a gallery.

The shrine is free to enter, but if you wish to go inside Senjokaku, you will have to pay 100 JPY for the entrance fee. The shrine is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM every day.

10. Explore Daishoin Temple

As you dive deeper into Miyajima Island, you will stumble upon Daishoin Temple, another sacred temple complex built way back in the 8th Century. Out of all the temples on Miyajima Island, this one is my favorite, and here's why.

The temple complex consists of many buildings and pathways that you can explore. The pathways go up and around the thick-forest-covered hill, with many small but incredibly photogenic stops and shrines to keep you occupied for a while.

One of my favorite places in Daishoin Temple is the old stairway that leads down the temple. Here, you will find hundreds and hundreds of stone statues of monks lined up along both sides. Every now and then, a machine would pump out fog, creating an even more immersive atmosphere. It felt like I was walking down a mythical pilgrimage trail. It was awesome.

The Old Rakan Statue Stairway is located along the new one, but if you are not aware, you might even miss out on it entirely. You can enter the stairway from the side trail on your left right after you enter Daisho-in Nioumon Gate at the bottom of the new stairway, or from the trail behind the Treasure House.

I almost didn't see the trail, and it would be a shame to miss it as it is one of the best features of the temple. Be sure to keep an eye out for these little Buddha stone statues! The temple is open from 8 AM to 5 PM every day, and it is free to enter the temple.

11. Take the Miyajima Ropeway up to Shishiiwa Observatory

If you are looking for the best viewpoint on the island, you can't go wrong with the Shishiiwa Observatory located on top of Mt. Misen and have to take the Miyajima Ropeway to get there.

The view from up there is incredible. You can see the Japanese mainland from coast to coast, as well as the beautiful islands in Hiroshima Bay. You can even see all the oyster farms from up there. There is no better viewpoint than that... unless you are willing to hike another 30 minutes to get to the Mount Misen Observatory, which is located on an even higher peak than Shishiiwa Observatory.

The ropeway station is approximately a 10-minute walk from Miyajima center. While a free shuttle bus is available here and runs every 20 minutes, be prepared for potentially long wait times due to frequent lines. I recommend walking to the ropeway station as the journey is quite straightforward, and the views along the way are very enjoyable.

Once you get to the station, you can buy the ticket for about 2000 JPY for a roundtrip ticket. The cable car operates from 9 AM to 4 PM, and the final return departure time is 4:30 PM. Keep in mind that the ride can take around 15 minutes in total, excluding the waiting time, and there can be long lines when you are disembarking.

I saw many people having to return to the transfer station because they realized they wouldn't make it back in time for the 4:30 PM cut-off. Personally, I went up around 2:30 PM and had plenty of time at the Observatory. I took the cable car down at 4 PM, just in time for the sunset (in autumn). If you're aiming for a safe time to ascend, 2:30 PM should be sufficient, even considering potential queues.

If you're planning to hike to the Mount Misen Observatory, it's advisable to start even earlier. The round trip between Shishiiwa Observatory and Mount Misen Observatory takes about 1 hour. The trail involves hiking up and down a slope, so make sure you are adequately prepared for the trek.

12. Stroll Along Miyajima Omotesandō Shopping Street

If you are looking for a nice place to stroll around and buy some street food or souvenirs on Miyajima Island, Miyajima Omotesandō Shopping Street is the best place to visit.

Located right by the JR Ferry Station, this bustling street is lined with a myriad of restaurants and shops offering an array of items, from traditional souvenirs to street food showcasing some of the freshest oysters, a specialty Hiroshima is famous for, which you can try.

After you get down from the ropeway, do not forget to spend some time and explore the shopping street while you wait for the sunset. You are going to want to see the sunset at Mikasa Beach, as I recommended earlier. Trust me.

13. Go for a Half-Day Trip to Iwakuni ☀️ Great Day Trip

If you have a day to spare and are eager to explore more of this region, I highly recommend checking out Iwakuni. It's just an hour's train ride away from Hiroshima.

There are a number of really cool historic tourist attractions here, like the Kintai Bridge, a 200-meter long wooden bridge comprising of 5 arches with ornate timberwork that dates all the way back to 1673. Not often do you see an arch bridge built out of wood like this one.

Perched atop Mount Shiroyama, Iwakuni Castle is also a great place to visit in Iwakuni. The castle is not big, but it is very well preserved, and you will have an incredible panoramic view of the city all the way to the coastline.

Inside, you will also find a small history museum where you can learn a bit more about the place as well as see a number of preserved samurai suits and swords up close. At the top of the castle is where you will find an observation deck where you can get some incredible views of Iwakuni from above.

To get to Iwakuni Castle, you will have to take the cable car from this mountain ropeway station. The journey should take about 5 minutes, and the round-trip ticket for the ropeway will cost you 560 JPY per person.

There is also a nice small Iwakuni Shirohebi Museum, a museum dedicated to the white rat snake, which is often found in this region. They are supposed to bring luck to those who see them in the wild.

You can learn more about them and why there are so many of them here. They also have a few small white rat snakes you can see up close through the glass. The entrance fee is 200 JPY, and it is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day.

Other things you can do in Iwakuni are strolling around the expansive Kikko Park, visiting the Iwakuni Antiquities Museum, and trying out some of the weird flavored soft cream like curry, wasabi, and ramen at Shokujidokoro Musashi. My favorite is the Black Sesame one. It was delicious!

To get to Iwakuni, all you have to do is catch a JR train to Iwakuni Station and from there, you can take local bus #32, #11m, and #21 from the bus stop in front of the train station to Kintai Bridge. The bus should take about 20 minutes to get there and cost around 300 JPY.

What to Eat and Drink in Hiroshima?

1. Try Hiroshima Okonomiyaki at Okonomi Village

When you are in Hiroshima, you've got to try the famous Hiroshima Okonomiyaki, a unique style of okonomiyaki or savory Japanese pancake, and there is no better place to do it than at Okonomi Village, a building full of okonomiyaki restaurants spread across several floors.

Inside the building, you will find lines and lines of okonomiyaki restaurants, which are very much the same, and they all serve the traditional Hiroshima Okonomiyaki as well as some other variations featuring ingredients like oysters, which are also what Hiroshima is famous for.

A nice okonomiyaki restaurant inside Okonomi Village that is recommended and very tourist-friendly is Okonomiyaki Ron, located on the third floor. The owner is a real charmer and will often recommend cool dishes for you to try. Be sure to check them out and try their okonomiyaki while you are here.

The restaurants at Okonomi Village open from 11:30 AM to 3 PM and again from 5:30 PM to 9 PM every day. If you are looking for a nice place to have dinner in Hiroshima, you can't go wrong with Okonomi Village.

How to Get to Hiroshima?

With a JR Pass, which is a train pass I recommend if you plan to travel all over Japan, you can easily travel between big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto to Hiroshima with the Shinkansen bullet train in less than 5 hours. The train leaves from Tokyo and Shinagawa JR Stations in Tokyo, and Shin-Osaka and Kyoto JR Stations in Kansai, which are both easily accessible via the city's metros.

If you do not have the JR Pass, it would cost you between 18,000 JPY to ride on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Hiroshima. The price of the train varies depending on the train you take. For example, Hikari, Kodama, and Sakura trains are cheaper than Nozomi trains. They are both bullet trains, but Nozomi goes a bit faster and stops at fewer stations.

Personally, I found the speed of the Hikari/Kodama/Sakura trains plenty enough to get around Japan easily, and I didn't find the need to upgrade to faster trains at any point during my trip.

The Shinkansen trains rarely get booked out, unless it's during public holidays or New Year's. So, unless you are traveling during that time, you do not have to worry about reserving your seat in advance.

For convenience, I highly recommend you get the JR Pass if you plan to travel for at least 7 days around Japan, even with the price hike of 2023. You can use the pass and just show up, and you can get on any Hikari/Kodama/Sakura trains as many times as you like within the activation period (7, 14, 21 days, etc.). No need to fiddle with the ticket machine every time you want to get on one.

You might save money slightly if you buy the Shinkansen tickets separately and limit your trip to only 3-4 long-distance trips, but if you plan to travel more and value time and convenience over a little price hike, getting the JR Pass is a no-brainer. You can get the JR Pass here.

How to Get Around Hiroshima?

Around Hiroshima City, you can easily walk to most of the tourist attractions I have mentioned here. You can also take the local JR train if you have a JR Pass to get around the city for free.

To get from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island, there are 2 ways. The first way is to take the train from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station, and from there, you can catch the ferry to Miyajima Island.

If you have the JR Pass, you can travel between Hiroshima and Miyajima Island for free if you follow the instructions above, as both the trains and the ferries are operated by JR. If not, the total cost to travel between the two places should be around 700 JPY and take about 1 hour each way.

The second way, which is pricey but extremely convenient, is to take the Hiroshima World Heritage River Cruise, a scenic cruise service that connects Hiroshima Peace Park directly with Miyajima Island. The cruise operates between 8:30 AM and 5:15 PM daily, every 30 minutes.

It is a great option for those who do not want to backtrack their way back to the train station after they are done visiting Hiroshima Peace Park. Plus, the cruise is way less crowded than the JR ferry, which makes the experience much more relaxing.

The cruise will take about 45 minutes and cost around 2,200 JPY per way. It's not the cheapest option, but it sure is extremely convenient and can save you a lot of time. You can also save a bit by taking the scenic cruise to Miyajima Island one way and taking the JR ferry and train back to Hiroshima using the JR Pass.

You can also buy a prepaid IC card, which can be bought from any JR Station (Suica card) or Non-JR Station (Pasmo Card) in most major cities around Japan. You can use it on trains, buses, and even buy stuff in convenience stores like 7-11 or Family Mart across Japan's major cities, including Hiroshima. All you have to do is fill up the card with money and tap on the machine when you enter and exit the platform.

Keep in mind that the IC Card doesn't save you money like buying train passes, but it does save you time by not having to fiddle with the ticket machine every time you want to travel.

Tips: If you are a JR Pass holder and want to only see train routes that you can use with a JR Pass, try the NAVITIME app. You can filter train routes based on the train pass you hold. Highly recommended.

What to Pack for Hiroshima?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Hiroshima, Japan:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with 12Go when traveling in Hiroshima, Japan while for trains, JR Pass is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Japan

Looking for more information for your trip to Japan? Here are a collection of articles about Japan that you might find useful:

• For a complete Japan itinerary, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Japan Itinerary.
• Visiting Japan for the first time? Here are a few things I wish I knew before visiting Japan: 13 Important Things To Know Before Visiting Japan.
• Looking for a complete list of things you shouldn't miss when you are traveling in Japan? Check out: 16 Best Things to Do in Japan.
• Want to climb Mount Fuji? Here is a complete guide on how to and not to climb Mount Fuji for a real-life experience.
• What is it like to climb Mount Fuji during a super typhoon? Here's A Backpacking Travel Guide to Mt Fuji and Kawaguchiko.
• Looking for a complete travel guide to Tokyo? Check out: 14 Best Things to Do in Tokyo.
• For a complete itinerary of Tokyo, check out: 3 Days Backpacking Tokyo Itinerary.
• Another awesome place to visit in Japan for a great view of Mt. Fuji is Hakone. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Hakone.
• A day trip to Hakone from Tokyo is possible, but you need to be smart with your time. Here is a complete One Day Hakone Itinerary From Tokyo.
• Planning to visit Nikko soon? From hiking to best temples to visit, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Nikko.
• Kyoto, the old capital city of Japan, is a one-of-a-kind city that you should not miss. Here are the 16 Best Things To Do In Kyoto.
• For a complete itinerary of Kyoto and Osaka, check out: 3 Days Backpacking Kyoto-Osaka Itinerary.
• Want to go off the beaten path in Japan? What about exploring Kyushu island? Here is a 3-day road trip itinerary for Kumamoto and Aso.
• Not convinced by my words about Japan? Watch these videos: Just Japan and Japan Day & Night travel videos.
• Wondering where to go after Japan? How about hopping over to China or visiting the islands of Taiwan or Hong Kong?
• For all articles about Japan, visit the Japan Travel Guide page.
• Looking to travel to East Asia? Check out all my articles about East Asia here: East Asia Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.