Hiroshima, forever associated with the utter devastation of the atomic bomb, is today a vibrant and thriving city. Full of light and color it’s a shining example of the resilience of the Japanese people.
Although at the time it would have felt like the city would never recover from the catastrophic radiation effects, following a slow and tenacious road, Hiroshima has bloomed into a vibrant modern city with various memorials and monuments that honor the victims and teach the world about the dangers of nuclear weapons.
The city is also known for its rich history, natural beauty, and many outdoor activities that attract tourists from all over the world.
We took our daughter to visit, right after a trip to Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, to highlight both sides of the story. While a trip to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & museum is heartbreaking, it’s a fantastic experience and city, and well worth a line on your bucket list.
In this list of the best things to do in Hiroshima, I’ll walk you through the most popular Hiroshima attractions that you must visit while there.
Top 10 Very Best Things to Do in Hiroshima: TL;DR
- Genbaku Domu or the Atomic Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
- Children’s Peace Monument
- Cenotaph for A-Bomb Victims
- Hiroshima Castle
- Miyajima Island
- Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
- Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall
- Shukkei-en Garden
- Wood Egg Museum
Top 10 Very Best Things to Do in Hiroshima, Japan
1. Visit the Genbaku Domu or the Atomic Bomb Dome (A-Bomb Dome)
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Genbaku Domu or the Atomic Bomb Dome is also known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial is formally known as the Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, and it is one of the few structures that survived the blast.
The structure was only 160 meters from the blast epicenter and its walls were destroyed by the atomic bombing.
Today, in its skeletal form, the structure serves as a symbol of hope and a beacon of peace.
The Genbaku Dome is located inside the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which is located in downtown Hiroshima.
2. Learn History at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Within the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum where you will get a heartbreaking but accurate picture of the atomic bomb attack.
In the museum, you’ll learn about the devastation caused by the atomic bombing and its subsequent radiation effects.
The museum calls for international peace and the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
In the main building, there are items on exhibit that once belonged to the atomic bomb victims.
You can learn about the history of Hiroshima before and after the atomic bombing in the east building.
3. Take a Moment at the Children’s Peace Monument
Within the pleasant green park – the Peace Memorial Park of Hiroshima City – is the Children’s Peace Monument erected in honor of Sasaki Sadako – a two-year-old girl at the time of the Hiroshima bombing.
A decade after the bombing, due to radiation poisoning, she was diagnosed with leukemia.
She believed that if she folded a thousand origami cranes, she would recover, but sadly after making over 1,300 origami cranes, she died within 8 months of her diagnosis.
Her elementary school classmates, deeply affected by both her spirit and her death, decided to build a statue symbolizing all children who died because of the atomic bombing.
The monument was completed on Children’s Day (May 5, 1958) using the funds collected by Japanese schools.
4. Take Another Moment at the Cenotaph for A-Bomb Victims
Within the Peace Memorial Park is a cenotaph that consists of an arch with a stone chest underneath.
Inside the chest is a record of the names of all victims of the nuclear bomb blast. The name list is not limited by nationality.
In 2015, there were 297,684 names of those who were victims of the atomic blast.
5. Walk Through the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall
While visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, you will come across the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall, which was opened in 2002 by the Japanese Government. It is a place to mourn the atomic bomb victims.
There are video and written testimonials of the bombing survivors along with photographs of those who died.
Though the Memorial Hall represents pain and suffering, it stands as a stark reminder for both current and future generations of the human suffering that atomic weapons can bring.
6. Climb Up the Hiroshima Castle
One of the major attractions in Hiroshima is the Hiroshima Castle which was destroyed during the atomic bombing.
It has now been restored with traditional Japanese castle construction methods.
The beautiful garden on the castle grounds gives scope to witness the beautiful plum and cherry blossoms (in cherry blossom season).
Once you climb up the stairs, you can get a sweeping view of the Hiroshima city skyline and the garden.
Be warned, there’s a fair few stairs!
7. Take a Trip to Miyajima Island
A small island in Hiroshima prefecture and located in Hiroshima Bay, Miyajima Island is also known as Shrine Island.
You can reach this incredibly picturesque island by taking a ferry from the famous Miyajimaguchi port.
The island is home to many ancient temples built with exquisite Japanese architecture, with some of the Buddhist temples still in use.
The island is home to the world-renowned Itsukushima Shrine, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.
The grand torii gate has been placed at a distance in the sea, which means the shrine stands in water during high tide. It also gives incredibly breathtaking views of the sea.
8. Explore the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
One of the top Hiroshima attractions, the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art is located nearly 1 km south of Hiroshima Station.
This modern art museum offers various exhibitions that last for a few weeks or months. There are special exhibitions showcasing group and solo artists.
The entry fee depends on the exhibit you want to visit. Some exhibitions are completely free.