Hiroshima: Everything You Should Do in this City

This skeletal structure, Genbaku Dome, is the only building left standing near the center of the atomic bomb’s explosion. It remains preserved to serve as a clear representation of the destructive power of an atomic bomb.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum - reservation required

1-2 Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0811, Japan

+81 82-241-4004

Mon - Sun, 7:30 am - 7 pm

Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima

Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0811, Japan

+81 82-504-2390

Open 24 Hours

Museum Morning

The BEST places to visit Hiroshima are the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Memorial Park. Both of these are very impactful places well worth a visit. To make the most of a day in Hiroshima, you should plan to spend the morning walking the park, and around 2-3 hours thoughtfully visiting the museum. The museum isn’t too big, but it also isn’t one to be rushed. The museum displays maps, video footage, testimonies, and clothing - all of which are incredibly impactful, so make sure you have time to reflect and process all the museum’s content.

Shukkeien Garden

2-11 Kaminoboricho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0014, Japan

Mon - Sun, 9 am - 5 pm

Hiroshima Castle

21-1 Motomachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0011, Japan

Hours change depending on the season

March - December: 9 am - 6 pm (last entry 5:30 pm)

December - February: 9 am - 5 om (last entry 4:30 pm)

Hiroshima Orizuru Tower

1 Chome-2-1 Otemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0051, Japan

Mon - Sun, 10 am - 6 pm

Other Popular Activities in Hiroshima

Hiroshima is also home to the charming Shukkeien Garden, Hiroshima Castle, where you can collect a stamp if you are interested, and Orizuru Tower, which promises views of the city, a bar, and an origami activity for a few yen.

If you have time after visiting the museum, you can either head directly to Hiroshima Castle (only 30 minutes away) or take a moment to shop Hondori Shopping Street - located just outside the park - before heading over. At the castle, tour the historic exhibits on local history, stroll the grounds, or head to the top floor for views of the city.

From the castle, Shukkeien Garden is an even shorter walk - only 10-minutes away. Enjoy the lovely Japanese garden with stone bridges and peaceful walking paths. Enjoy a serene walk around the lake, and observe the koi fish swimming around.

If castles aren’t your thing or if you want a bit more to do, Hiroshima Museum of Art is along the same route, and it offers both Japanese painters and European impressionists.

That being said, all of these are nice to do but also alright to skip. These are not essential stops if you have other places to be - Miyajima, for example.

Hiroshima Museum of Art

3-2 Motomachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0011, Japan

+81 82-223-2530

Mon - Sun, 9 am - 5 pm

Local Specialties: Food to Try

The city also has plenty of delicious food to try, including Hiroshima’s own style of Okonomiyaki and the local oysters. This prefecture does the majority of oyster production in Japan, so be sure to try this specialty. Momiji Manju, sweet maple leaf-shaped cakes with anko filling, are another specialty well worth checking out. You can find these in Hiroshima and on Miyajima. The final traditional food to try is Hiroshima Tsukemen - cold noodles dipped in a red pepper sauce. If you can handle a bit of spice, it is a fun dish to check out. Anago Meshi (穴子 meshi), grilled conger eel served over rice, is another specialty in both Hiroshima and Miyajima.