A city that transformed tragedy into a powerful message of peace. Moving, beautiful and surprisingly uplifting to visit.
Hiroshima is widely regarded as a must visit destination in Japan — a city on Honshu island where history, natural beauty and resilience exist side by side. This Hiroshima travel guide covers hiroshima prefecture's top attractions: the atomic bomb dome, hiroshima peace memorial park, hiroshima castle, miyajima island and the best hiroshima style okonomiyaki and fresh oysters in hiroshima city. Whether you plan a day trip or stay overnight, hiroshima city offers first time visitors a deeply meaningful experience.
Hiroshima city's must visit spots include the atomic bomb dome, hiroshima peace memorial park, hiroshima castle and miyajima island. The a bomb dome — the only building left standing after the first atomic bomb on 6 August 1945 — is a UNESCO world heritage site and symbol of world peace. Itsukushima shrine on miyajima island features a famous torii gate that appears to float at high tide in hiroshima bay — one of Japan's most stunning views. Hiroshima prefecture is beautiful in all four seasons — cherry blossoms in spring, summer festivals, fall foliage in autumn and seasonal flower displays in winter.
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Ivan Shirokov
Author
"I was not prepared for how moving Hiroshima would be. But I was also not prepared for how alive the city feels — great food, warm people and Miyajima just an hour away."
A 1-day hiroshima itinerary covers the atomic bomb dome, hiroshima peace memorial park, hiroshima peace memorial museum and hiroshima castle — all within walking distance or a short tram ride in downtown hiroshima. A 2-day hiroshima itinerary adds a full day trip to miyajima island. Hiroshima city is easily accessible from tokyo, osaka and kyoto by shinkansen. Hiroshima airport offers direct flights from tokyo and other major cities for visitors who prefer to fly into hiroshima prefecture.
The a bomb dome is hiroshima city's most powerful landmark — the only building left standing near the hypocenter of the first atomic bomb in world war II, now preserved as a UNESCO world heritage site and symbol of world peace. The bomb dome stands at the edge of hiroshima peace memorial park — a beautiful peace park with children's peace monument, the peace flame and the hiroshima peace memorial museum. Visiting hiroshima and seeing the hiroshima peace memorial is one of the most powerful experiences in Japan — hiroshima worth visiting for every traveller interested in hiroshima's history.
Miyajima island is the most popular day trip from hiroshima city — a beautiful small island in hiroshima bay easily accessible by tram and ferry from hiroshima station in about 30 minutes. Itsukushima shrine on miyajima island is a UNESCO world heritage site — the famous torii gate appears to float at high tide and offers stunning views over hiroshima bay. Deer roam freely around the small island and many tourists enjoy tastings of fresh oysters and maple leaf shaped momiji manju sweets on the island's main street. Stay overnight on miyajima island at a ryokan to enjoy itsukushima shrine and the torii gate at high tide without the day's many tourists.
Rabbit island — Okunoshima — is one of hiroshima prefecture's most unique day trips: a small island in the seto inland sea where hundreds of rabbits roam freely. Kure city near hiroshima is famous for its naval history and the yamato museum. Onomichi city is the starting point of the shimanami kaido cycling route — a famous cycling route across the seto inland sea connecting honshu island to shikoku island through ehime prefecture. Setonaikai national park around hiroshima bay offers stunning views, natural beauty and seasonal flower displays across many small islands. Shukkeien garden in downtown hiroshima is a beautiful traditional Japanese garden — easily accessible walking distance from hiroshima station.
Hiroshima castle is one of the best sights in hiroshima city — a beautiful reconstruction of the original castle destroyed by the first atomic bomb in world war II. The top floor of hiroshima castle offers stunning views over downtown hiroshima and hiroshima bay — easily accessible from the city center walking distance from the atomic bomb dome. Hiroshima castle grounds are beautiful in cherry blossom season and lined with seasonal flower displays in spring. First time visitors to hiroshima should plan at least 2 days to visit hiroshima castle, hiroshima peace memorial park and take the day trip to miyajima island.
Memorial
Hiroshima Peace Memorial — complete guide
The Peace Museum, A-Bomb Dome and how to visit respectfully. Deeply moving and essential.
Day Trip
Miyajima Island — the floating torii gate
Sacred island 30 min by ferry — floating torii, free-roaming deer and Mt Misen hiking.
History
Hiroshima Castle and the city loop
Rebuilt feudal castle with panoramic city views and an excellent history exhibit.
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Stay overnight in downtown hiroshima for easy walking distance access to the atomic bomb dome, hiroshima peace memorial park and hiroshima castle. Hotels in hiroshima city center are easily accessible from hiroshima station and offer stunning views over downtown hiroshima and hiroshima bay. Hotels near hiroshima station offer the best access to shinkansen connections to tokyo, osaka and kyoto and the JR line to miyajima island. Stay overnight on miyajima island at a ryokan to enjoy itsukushima shrine and the torii gate at high tide without the day's many tourists. Book early — popular places to stay in hiroshima sell out during cherry blossom season and August peace memorial events.
Central
Best hotels near Peace Park
Walk to the A-Bomb Dome and Peace Museum — the most convenient location in Hiroshima.
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Station
Staying near Hiroshima Station
Easy Shinkansen connections — perfect base if you are traveling between cities.
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Miyajima
Ryokan on Miyajima Island
Stay overnight and see the floating torii at high tide after the day crowds leave.
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Hiroshima style okonomiyaki is hiroshima city's most famous dish — layers of cabbage, noodles, toppings and a fried egg cooked with savory sauce on a flat iron plate. The best places to enjoy hiroshima style okonomiyaki with savory sauce are in Okonomimura — a popular building in downtown hiroshima city center with dozens of restaurants. Fresh oysters from hiroshima bay are Japan's best — enjoy tastings of hiroshima oysters raw, grilled with savory sauce or deep fried at restaurants on miyajima island. Momiji manju — the maple leaf shaped sweet from miyajima island — is hiroshima's most famous souvenir: maple leaf shaped cakes with red bean, chocolate or custard filling.
Street Food
Hiroshima okonomiyaki — the complete guide
Hiroshima's style of okonomiyaki is layered, not mixed. The difference and where to eat it.
Foodie Spot
Okonomimura — the okonomiyaki building
25 restaurants on 4 floors, all serving the Hiroshima specialty. Which floor to choose.
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Seafood
Miyajima oysters — fresh from the sea
Miyajima is Japan's top oyster region. How and where to eat them straight off the grill.
Coming SoonHiroshima station is the main transport hub — easily accessible from tokyo (2.5 hours), osaka and kyoto by shinkansen. Hiroshima airport offers direct flights from tokyo and other Japanese cities for visitors who prefer to fly into hiroshima prefecture. From hiroshima station, trams cover downtown hiroshima and reach the atomic bomb dome, hiroshima peace memorial park and hiroshima castle — all within walking distance of each other in hiroshima city center. Miyajima island is accessible from hiroshima station by JR line (25 min) and ferry (10 min) — easily accessible for a day trip to itsukushima shrine and the torii gate at high tide. The shimanami kaido cycling route starts near onomichi city, connecting honshu island to shikoku island through ehime prefecture — easily accessible as a day trip from hiroshima station.
Shinkansen
Tokyo to Hiroshima by Shinkansen
4 hours on the Nozomi. How to book, which pass to use and what to see out the window.
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Ferry
Hiroshima to Miyajima — ferry guide
30 minutes from Hiroshima port — ferry times, prices and the JR Pass discount.
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Day Trip
Day trip to Iwakuni from Hiroshima
The Kintaikyo Bridge — Japan's most beautiful wooden bridge, 40 min from Hiroshima.
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Hiroshima worth visiting — absolutely. Hiroshima city offers the atomic bomb dome, hiroshima peace memorial park, hiroshima castle, miyajima island with itsukushima shrine, hiroshima style okonomiyaki, fresh oysters and stunning views of hiroshima bay and the seto inland sea. First time visitors consistently rate hiroshima city as one of the most moving and memorable destinations in Japan.
Two days is ideal — one day for the atomic bomb dome, hiroshima peace memorial, hiroshima castle and shukkeien garden in downtown hiroshima, and one full day trip to miyajima island. A 1-day hiroshima itinerary is possible as a day trip from osaka and kyoto — visiting hiroshima city center attractions are all easily accessible. Stay overnight in hiroshima to enjoy the city after many tourists have left.
Cherry blossoms around hiroshima castle and hiroshima peace memorial park make spring (late March–April) the most beautiful time for visiting hiroshima. Fall foliage in November is equally stunning. August 6th is hiroshima's peace memorial ceremony — the most significant day in hiroshima's history for first time visitors wanting to understand world war II. Hiroshima prefecture is beautiful in all four seasons.
Miyajima island with itsukushima shrine is the most popular day trip from hiroshima city. Rabbit island (Okunoshima) in the seto inland sea is one of hiroshima prefecture's most unique day trips. Kure city is great for naval history. The shimanami kaido cycling route from onomichi city connects honshu island to shikoku island through ehime prefecture — one of Japan's most beautiful cycling routes with stunning views of setonaikai national park.
