Travel guide · Japan
Hiroshima travel guide
Peace memorials, Miyajima's floating torii and layered okonomiyaki
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Hiroshima is a rebuilt, river-laced city of about 1.2 million on the delta of the Ota River, best known as the first city struck by an atomic bomb, on 6 August 1945. The Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum are moving and essential, but the city is also lively, green and easygoing, with trams, riverside paths and a dense grid of okonomiyaki counters. About an hour away by tram or train and ferry, Miyajima island holds Itsukushima Shrine and its torii gate standing in the sea. The Shinkansen reaches Hiroshima from Osaka in about 1.5 hours and from Tokyo in about 4 hours. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are March–May and October–November.
Key facts
- Country
- Japan
- Best time to visit
- March–May and October–November
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- HIJ, IWK
- Mid-range daily budget
- $120–$230 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine and Hiroshima okonomiyaki
Why visit Hiroshima
- The Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum tell the story of 6 August 1945 with great restraint and power.
- Miyajima's Itsukushima Shrine, built over the tidal flats with its great torii gate in the sea, is one of Japan's classic views.
- Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, layered with noodles and cabbage on a griddle, and Seto Inland Sea oysters are local passions.
- The city is compact and flat, with trams linking the station, the Peace Park and Miyajima.
- Easy day trips reach the island-dotted Seto Inland Sea: Onomichi, Kure's naval museum, Iwakuni's arched bridge and the rabbits of Okunoshima.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Park · Peace Park and Hondori
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Laid out by architect Kenzo Tange on the river island close to the bomb's hypocentre, the park lines up the Cenotaph for the A-bomb victims, the Flame of Peace and the Atomic Bomb Dome along one axis.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Outdoors
Historic site · Peace Park and Hondori
Atomic Bomb Dome
The skeletal ruin of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall stood about 160 m from the hypocentre and was one of the few structures left standing.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- After dark
Museum · Peace Park and Hondori
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
The museum documents the bombing and its aftermath through victims' belongings, photographs, testimonies and the long effects of radiation, then explains the nuclear age.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
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Religious site · Miyajima
Itsukushima Shrine
The vermilion halls and corridors of this UNESCO-listed shrine stand on piers over the tidal flats of Miyajima, so at high tide they appear to float.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
Landmark · Peace Park and Hondori
Children's Peace Monument
This monument honours Sadako Sasaki, who developed leukaemia after the bombing and folded paper cranes hoping to recover, and the thousands of children who died.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Kids
Nature · Miyajima
Mount Misen
Miyajima's sacred 535 m peak is reached by a two-stage ropeway and a 20–30-minute walk, or on foot in about 1.5–2 hours on the Momijidani, Daisho-in or Omoto trails.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Outdoors
- Active
- Nature
Where to stay
Hiroshima Station area is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 6 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, families and budget
Hiroshima Station area
Shinkansen hub with big hotels, the Ekie mall and direct trams downtown
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, shopping and food lovers
Peace Park and Hondori
Riverside base beside the Peace Park and the covered Hondori arcade
$$ · Best for nightlife, budget and solo travellers
Nagarekawa and Yagenbori
The city's bar district east of Hondori, with izakaya, karaoke and late food
$$ · Best for quiet stays, families and culture
Hakushima and the castle
Quiet residential streets north of downtown around Hiroshima Castle
What to eat
- Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki — Unlike Osaka's mixed batter, Hiroshima's version is built in layers on the griddle: a thin crêpe, a mound of cabbage, bean sprouts and pork, then yakisoba or udon noodles and a fried egg, finished with sweet-savoury sauce.
- Oysters — Hiroshima Bay produces more oysters than anywhere else in Japan.
- Conger-eel rice — Grilled conger eel with a sweet soy glaze laid over rice cooked in eel broth, a speciality of Miyajima and the coast facing it.
- Momiji manjū — Maple-leaf-shaped sponge cakes filled with red-bean paste, custard or chocolate, invented on Miyajima.
- Soupless dandan noodles — A Hiroshima favourite: noodles tossed in sesame, chilli oil and numbing Sichuan pepper with minced pork, mixed thoroughly before eating.
- Hiroshima tsukemen — Cold noodles served with a very spicy, red chilli dipping sauce and cabbage; you usually choose the heat level.
When to go
The best times to visit Hiroshima are late March to May and October to November, with cherry blossom in the Peace Park in early April and maple colour on Miyajima in mid to late November. Summer is hot and humid with a June–July rainy season, and 6 August brings the solemn memorial ceremony and large crowds. Winter is cool, dry and quiet, and the best time for oysters.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Cherry blossom in early April, mild days and busy Golden Week holidays with the Flower Festival in early May. |
| Summer | June–August | A rainy June and early July, then hot, humid weather; the 6 August ceremony is the year's most significant day. |
| Autumn | September–November | Hot early September giving way to clear, comfortable October days and red maples on Miyajima in November. |
| Winter | December–February | Cool, dry and quiet, with illuminations and the peak of oyster season. |
Getting there and around
Hiroshima Airport is about 50 km east of the city; limousine buses reach Hiroshima Station in about 45–55 minutes. Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, about 40 km south-west, has a few domestic flights and is linked by bus and JR train.
Central Hiroshima is flat and compact, and its trams (Hiroden) link the station, the Peace Park, downtown and Miyajimaguchi. JR trains are quicker to Miyajimaguchi, and ferries take about 10 minutes from there to Miyajima.
Plan your days
Two days covers the Peace Memorial Park and museum on one day and Miyajima on the other. A third day adds Hiroshima Castle's grounds and Shukkei-en or a day trip to Onomichi, Kure or Iwakuni; staying a night on Miyajima is worth considering.
Practical information
- Currency
- JPY
- Language
- Japanese
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 100 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 110 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not practised in Japan; good service is part of the price.
Hiroshima has low crime. In summer, heat and humidity are the main health risk, so carry water. Heavy rain during the rainy season and typhoons can trigger landslide warnings in hillside areas; follow official alerts.
Flights to Hiroshima
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Hiroshima?
Two days covers the Peace Memorial Park and museum on one day and Miyajima on the other. A third day adds Hiroshima Castle's grounds and Shukkei-en or a day trip to Onomichi, Kure or Iwakuni; staying a night on Miyajima is worth considering. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Hiroshima?
The best times to visit Hiroshima are late March to May and October to November, with cherry blossom in the Peace Park in early April and maple colour on Miyajima in mid to late November. Summer is hot and humid with a June–July rainy season, and 6 August brings the solemn memorial ceremony and large crowds. Winter is cool, dry and quiet, and the best time for oysters.
+What is Hiroshima known for?
Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima okonomiyaki, Oysters, Momiji manjū and Hiroshima Carp baseball. The Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum tell the story of 6 August 1945 with great restraint and power.
+Is Hiroshima expensive?
Hiroshima is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $120–$230 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Hiroshima?
No. Trams, JR trains and ferries cover the city, Miyajima and most day trips. A car is only useful for exploring rural Hiroshima Prefecture or the Shimanami Kaido islands.