Here are ten places to consider for your Hiroshima itinerary, covering history, remembrance, gardens, art, temples, city views and local culture.
1. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is one of the city's main places for remembrance and reflection. The park includes the Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Museum and several monuments that commemorate the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Museum, Children's Peace Monument, Cenotaph |
| Location | Naka ward, central Hiroshima |
| Best time to visit | Spring and autumn |
| Entry/activities | The park is free to walk through; the Peace Memorial Museum has an entry charge |
| Tip | Allow a few hours to walk through the park and visit the museum without rushing |
2. Shukkeien Garden
Shukkeien is a historic Japanese strolling garden in central Hiroshima. Created in 1620, it features a central pond, islands, bridges, paths and traditional garden buildings, with seasonal scenery throughout the year.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Central pond, bridges, tea houses, seasonal foliage |
| Location | Naka ward, near Hiroshima Station |
| Best time to visit | Spring and autumn |
| Entry/activities | Entry charge applies |
| Tip | Combine the garden with the nearby Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum |
3. Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima Castle was built in 1589 and became the centre of Hiroshima's castle town. The original buildings were destroyed by the atomic bombing, and parts of the castle have since been reconstructed. The main keep is currently closed, but visitors can still see the exterior and explore the surrounding grounds.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Castle grounds, reconstructed structures, moat, historical setting |
| Location | Naka ward, central Hiroshima |
| Best time to visit | Spring for cherry blossoms and autumn for seasonal foliage |
| Entry/activities | The castle grounds can be explored; the main keep is currently closed |
| Tip | Combine the castle with the nearby Hiroshima Museum of Art |
4. Hiroshima Orizuru Tower
Hiroshima Orizuru Tower stands beside the Atomic Bomb Dome and offers views across the Peace Memorial Park and central Hiroshima. Visitors can also take part in origami crane activities connected with the city's message of peace.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Observation deck, Peace Memorial Park views, origami crane activity |
| Location | Near the Atomic Bomb Dome, Naka ward |
| Best time to visit | Clear days for wider views |
| Entry/activities | Observation deck and activity charges apply |
| Tip | Visit later in the day if you want to see the city from the observation deck around sunset |
5. Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Located in Hijiyama Park, Hiroshima MOCA presents contemporary art through exhibitions and also provides access to the park's greenery and city views. The museum is part of a wider cultural area on Hijiyama.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Contemporary art exhibitions, museum architecture, Hijiyama Park |
| Location | Hijiyama Park, Minami ward |
| Best time to visit | Year-round |
| Entry/activities | Entry charge may apply depending on the exhibition |
| Tip | Allow time for a walk through Hijiyama Park after visiting the museum |
6. Hiroshima Museum of Art
The Hiroshima Museum of Art is located in central Hiroshima and has a collection that includes European modern art, Impressionist works and Japanese paintings. Its central location makes it convenient to combine with Hiroshima Castle and other city attractions.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Impressionist art, European modern art, Japanese paintings |
| Location | Motomachi, Naka ward |
| Best time to visit | Year-round |
| Entry/activities | Entry charge applies |
| Tip | Combine the museum with Hiroshima Castle and Central Park |
7. Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
The Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum is next to Shukkeien Garden and houses around 5,200 works, including art connected with Hiroshima, Japanese and Asian crafts and modern works. Its location makes it easy to combine two attractions in one visit.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Hiroshima-related art, Japanese and Asian crafts, modern art |
| Location | Kaminobori-cho, Naka ward |
| Best time to visit | Year-round |
| Entry/activities | Entry charge applies; special exhibitions may have separate charges |
| Tip | Visit the museum and Shukkeien Garden together |
8. Mitaki-dera Temple
Mitaki-dera is an ancient Buddhist temple set among the wooded hills of western Hiroshima City. The temple is named after its three waterfalls and is known for its natural setting, traditional buildings, pagoda and seasonal foliage.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Three waterfalls, pagoda, temple buildings, seasonal foliage |
| Location | Nishi ward, Hiroshima City |
| Best time to visit | Autumn for colourful foliage and spring for fresh greenery |
| Entry/activities | Temple grounds can be explored on foot |
| Tip | Wear comfortable footwear as the temple is on a hillside |
9. Fudoin Temple
Fudoin is a historic Buddhist temple in Hiroshima City and is home to the Kondo Hall, a National Treasure. The hall survived the 1945 atomic bombing and is an important example of Muromachi-period Buddhist architecture.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | Kondo Hall, temple grounds, historic Buddhist architecture |
| Location | Ushita-Shinmachi, Higashi ward |
| Best time to visit | Spring and autumn |
| Entry/activities | Explore the temple grounds and historic buildings |
| Tip | Include Fudoin if you want to see a historic site that survived the atomic bombing |
10. Hijiyama Park
Hijiyama Park is a hilltop green space near Hiroshima Station with panoramic views across the city. It also houses Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art and has around 1,300 cherry trees, making it particularly popular during spring.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Highlights | City views, cherry blossoms, Hiroshima MOCA, green spaces |
| Location | Minami ward, near Hiroshima Station |
| Best time to visit | Spring for cherry blossoms and autumn for pleasant walks |
| Entry/activities | Park access is free; museum entry charges apply separately |
| Tip | Combine the park with Hiroshima MOCA for an art and outdoor visit |
