Hiroshima City
| The Good | The Not-So Good |
| Unique surviving history | |
| Great, local food | |
Hiroshima city is known around the world by anyone who has a passing knowledge of World War II history. You can delve into this history at your leisure. The city itself is a worthwhile place to visit even if you aren’t interested in the history. The nearby Miyajima Island is a popular tourist spot and there are numerous side trips available to keep you busy for 2-3 days without the need to move on.
Must do’s are eating Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki and visiting the various atomic bomb monuments and the museum. Miyajima Island is a popular place to visit but can get crowded during the day. Staying overnight is popular as the island becomes more peaceful. The temple lights up at night and the views from the mountaintop are great.
Nagasaki or Hiroshima
For those wanting to learn more about the atomic bomb history, deciding which city to visit may be a thought that crosses your mind. Hiroshima is the more famous of the two cities and has more places to visit, including the only remaining free standing building to survive the blast. If you have only time for one, choose Hiroshima. Nagasaki is more difficult to travel to and has less options nearby to flesh out your trip.
What to do in and around Hiroshima City
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
The Peace Memorial Park also contains the Peace Memorial Museum. These are essential visits while in Hiroshima City. The official sites offer numerous suggested walks and itineraries. There is also the Children’s Peace Monument where you can make a small paper crane and attach it as a reminder of peace.
Atomic Bomb Dome
One of the only building to remain standing close to the detonation of the atomic bomb, it has been conserved as a symbol of peace to this day. The Atomic Bomb dome is close to the Memorial Peace Park. See map below.
Other attractions in Hiroshima City
Shukkei-en Garden
A picturesque park between Hiroshima Station and Hiroshima Castle. Inexpensive to enter and quite large. Attached to the Hiroshima Prefectural Museum. Japanese site (English option available). Another tourist site in English. (map)
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
A modern art museum that is currently closed for renovation until 2023.
Hiroshima Museum of Art (Hiroshima Prefectural Museum)
Classic art museum featuring western and Japanese art. There is some conflicting information online on admission charges. The official site currently has adults as ¥1,100 however this could be a special price for a specific exhibition. It may be cheaper at other times. The museum is closed Mondays.
Riding the Hiroshima tram
Ride the Hiroshima trams as a convenient way to get around the fairly compact tourist focused city center. The English official webpage is well constructed and a good reference for tourists. Google Maps will offer the tram in directions around Hiroshima, however often the fastest option displayed will be to take a bus.
Hiroshima Castle
A recreation of the original castle completed in 1959. The original castle was destroyed by the hiroshima bomb blast of 1945.
Other attractions with specific articles
Miyajima Island – famous island with a “floating” temple.
Miyajima Aquarium (https://www.miyajima-aqua.jp/english/)
Onomichi – A town famous for hillside temples and access to a 70km island cycle route
Kure City – Yamato Museum (https://yamato-museum.com/leaflet/guidance-leaflet-english/)
Rabbit Island (https://www.qkamura.or.jp/en/ohkuno/access/), (https://www.takeharakankou.jp/en/)
Getting to Hiroshima City
Hiroshima City is a stop on the bullet train from Tokyo to Hakata. It takes about 4 hours on the fastest Nozomi trains from Tokyo station. If you hold a JR Pass the Nozomi trains unavailable. Using the next fastest option takes 4-5 hours depending on timing. The route involves taking a Hikari train to Osaka and then transferring to a Sakura train to Hiroshima. An example is below. Use Hyperdia to search for train times and untick the Nozomi setting under “More options”. Google Maps will always give you the Nozomi trains which will make your search difficult.
You can also fly there direct from Tokyo using Spring Japan from Narita airport. ANA/JAL are also available from Haneda. Use Google Flights to compare prices. If you book well in advance you can get one-way tickets for as little as ¥6,000.
Bare in mind that Hiroshima Airport does not have a train station. The way to Hiroshima city is by bus, which takes about 1 hour and will cost ¥1,450. In total, flying may be cheaper than the bullet train (assuming no JR pass) however will probably not save you any time after you factor in check-in, waiting for the plans to taxi, and travelling to Narita Airport (which is another hour long journey for ¥1,300. Check out When Japan advice on travelling in Japan.
