10 Best Things to Do in Hiroshima, Japan

1. Visit Hiroshima Castle

In my opinion, Hiroshima Castle is one of the most interesting castles in Japan. Surrounded by a moat and green grounds, it is worth visiting to see its traditional wooden architecture and learn a little about Hiroshima before the war.

Unlike many Japanese castles built on hills or mountain peaks, Hiroshima Castle was constructed on the flat delta of the Ōta River. It served as an important political and economic center in western Japan.

The original wooden castle, built in the 1590s, was destroyed by the atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. A few trees within the castle grounds survived the blast, including a holly, eucalyptus, and willow tree. 

Today, you can visit the reconstructed castle and explore its exhibitions. Head to the top floor for panoramic views over modern Hiroshima.

2. Explore Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

If you want to understand what happened in Hiroshima during World War II, the Peace Memorial Park is an important place to visit. It was built to remember the victims of the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945, and promote a message of peace.

The park stands on what was once one of the city’s busiest commercial and residential districts. Today, the open green space is home to several important memorials and monuments.

One of the main sights is the Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph, a monument that holds the names of those who lost their lives in the bombing. Nearby, you’ll find the Children’s Peace Monument, dedicated to the children affected by the atomic bombing. 

If you want to learn more about the city’s history, make sure to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. You can also book this guided tour to learn more.

3. See the A-Bomb Dome

Although the A-Bomb Dome is part of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, it deserves a separate mention. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city and a powerful reminder of the atomic bombing.

The building was originally completed in 1915 as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. It was designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel and is one of the few structures near the hypocenter that remained standing after the explosion.

After the war, there were discussions about whether the building should be demolished. However, Hiroshima decided to preserve it as a reminder of the bombing and a symbol of peace. In 1996, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

4. Visit Shukkeien Garden

If you need a break from sightseeing, Shukkeien Garden is one of the nicest places to visit in Hiroshima. Located between Hiroshima Station and Hiroshima Castle, this traditional Japanese garden has a history of around 400 years.

The name Shukkeien translates to “shrunken-scenery garden,” which describes its design quite well. The garden recreates different natural landscapes on a smaller scale, with hills, valleys, forests, ponds, and small bridges.

A large pond sits at the center, surrounded by walking paths and carefully maintained greenery. As you explore, you’ll come across different viewpoints, traditional teahouses, and small sections of the garden that represent Japanese landscapes.

If you’d like to learn more about the garden and its history, you can also join a guided tour of Shukkeien Garden.

5. Ride the vintage trams of Hiroshima

If you love vintage trams as much as I do, make sure to add a ride on Hiroshima’s streetcars to your itinerary. From Lisbon to Milan, I always find these old trams fascinating, and Hiroshima is no exception.

The city’s tram network is quite special because it includes carriages from different eras and countries. Some of the older models survived the atomic bombing in 1945, while others were brought here from different parts of Japan and even Europe.

With a network stretching over 35 kilometers, Hiroshima has the longest tram system in Japan. More than 270 trams operate across the city, with a mix of vintage and modern carriages.

The trams are also a convenient way to explore Hiroshima and reach many of its main attractions. You can simply hop on one of the different lines and enjoy the ride through the city.

6. Take a day trip to Miyajima Island

Miyajima Island, officially known as Itsukushima, is one of the most beautiful places to visit near Hiroshima. A short boat ride from the city takes you to this small island, famous for its floating Great Torii Gate and the deer that roam freely around its streets.

The floating torii gate is one of Japan’s most recognizable sights and is considered one of the country’s Three Most Scenic Views. 

Nearby, you’ll find Itsukushima Shrine, another major attraction on the island. The shrine is built along the waterfront and is closely connected to the famous gate.

If you want to enjoy panoramic views of the island, head to Mount Misen, its highest mountain. You can reach the top by hiking or taking the cable car. 

Don’t miss Daisho-in Temple, the Museum of History and Folklore, and Senjokaku Hall, a large wooden structure near the five-story pagoda.

The island also has a shopping street filled with souvenir shops, local snacks, and small restaurants. Make sure to try the fresh seafood and fish cake sticks, which are popular street food options here.

A few things to know before visiting Miyajima

You can reach the island by boat directly from Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. This is a convenient option, although you can also take a ferry from Hiroshima Port or Miyajimaguchi.

If you’re visiting during peak season, I recommend arranging your boat or ferry tickets in advance, as departures can get busy.

One important thing to check before your visit is the tide. The appearance of the Great Torii Gate changes significantly depending on the water level. During high tide, it looks like it’s floating on the water, while at low tide, you can walk right up to its base.

💡 Don’t want to deal with logistics? Book this day trip to Miyajima Island.

7. Try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and local seafood

One of the things Hiroshima is particularly proud of is its version of okonomiyaki, one of Japan’s best-known dishes. Osaka also claims to have the best version, so this is a debate you might hear quite often when traveling around Japan.

The main difference is in the preparation. Osaka-style okonomiyaki mixes the ingredients into a batter, while Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is prepared in separate layers. It usually includes cabbage, noodles, meat, and other toppings.

Personally, I prefer the Hiroshima version, but I recommend trying both styles and deciding for yourself.

As for where to eat, I wouldn’t say there is one single best okonomiyaki restaurant in Hiroshima. After two trips and four months spent in Japan, I’ve realized that food is very subjective and many small restaurants have their own specialties.

I originally wanted to try the famous Nagataya or Okonomimura, but the queues were too long and I didn’t have enough time. Instead, I ended up at a small restaurant called 広島乃風平和公園前店, and the food was absolutely delicious.

—> Okonomiyaki Cooking Class with a Local Chef
—> Hiroshima Izakaya Food and Drink Night Tour
—> Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Local Food Tour with Licensed Guide

8. Explore Hondori Shopping Street

Like many Japanese cities, Hiroshima has its own downtown shopping street. Hondori is a covered pedestrian shopping arcade that stretches for more than half a kilometer through the city center.

It’s a convenient place to explore regardless of the weather, as the covered street protects you from the sun and rain. You’ll find everything from convenience stores and Japanese drugstores to clothing boutiques and larger department stores.

If you’re interested in Japanese pop culture, there are also plenty of anime shops, concept stores, and smaller businesses to browse. Some shops have been operating for generations, so you’ll find a mix of modern retail and more traditional local businesses.

9. Enjoy the views from Hiroshima Orizuru Tower

If you’re looking for a panoramic view of Hiroshima, head to Hiroshima Orizuru Tower. Located just a short walk from the A-Bomb Dome, the building has an open-air observation deck known as Hiroshima Hills.

From the rooftop, you can enjoy views across the city. On a clear day, you can even spot Mount Misen on Miyajima Island.

The tower also has an interesting connection to Japanese culture. Its design takes inspiration from origami paper cranes, which became an international symbol of peace through the story of Sadako Sasaki.

On the 12th floor, you can fold your own paper crane and drop it into the Orizuru Wall. This is a 50-meter-high glass structure running along the side of the building, where thousands of colorful paper cranes collect over time.

10. Visit Hiroshima Toshogu Shrine

After exploring the places connected to the atomic bombing, it’s worth seeing another side of Hiroshima’s history. Hiroshima Toshogu Shrine is a good place to do that, as parts of the original complex survived the 1945 bombing.

Located near Hiroshima Station, the shrine requires a short uphill walk to reach the main grounds. It’s dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and was built in 1648 by Asano Mitsuakira, the feudal lord of Hiroshima.

Unlike much of the surrounding city, several parts of the shrine complex survived the atomic bombing. These include the Karamon Gate, corridors, and purification pavilion. 

If you continue further uphill, you can also reach the Peace Pagoda. From here, you’ll get a panoramic view over Hiroshima.