Free things to do · Hiroshima · Japan
7 free things to do in Hiroshima
Hiroshima without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Hiroshima without paying an entry fee: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Children's Peace Monument and Daisho-in Temple are all free. The Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, Daisho-in and the castle grounds are free, and the Peace Museum costs very little.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Park · Peace Park and Hondori
1.Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Stand behind the cenotaph to see the flame and the Atomic Bomb Dome framed in one line, then walk the riverbank.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Outdoors
Historic site · Peace Park and Hondori
2.Atomic Bomb Dome
See it twice: in daylight from the riverbank and after dark, when it is lit and the area is quiet.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- After dark
Landmark · Peace Park and Hondori
3.Children's Peace Monument
Fold a paper crane beforehand and leave it at the booths, as many visitors do.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Kids
Religious site · Miyajima
4.Daisho-in Temple
Spin the sutra-inscribed wheels on the railing as you climb the steps; it is said to bring the same blessing as reading them.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Castle · Hakushima and the castle
5.Hiroshima Castle
Look for the eucalyptus and willow trees in the grounds that survived the bomb; small signs mark them as A-bomb survivor trees.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Outdoors
Street · Peace Park and Hondori
6.Hondori Shopping Arcade
Use it as a covered route between the Peace Park and Hatchobori on rainy days.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Rainy day
Religious site · Nishi-ku
7.Mitaki-dera
Take the JR Kabe line to Mitaki station and walk up; go in mid to late November for autumn colour with few visitors.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Peace Park and Hondori | Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Children's Peace Monument and Hondori Shopping Arcade | 1.5–2 hours + 30 minutes + 20 minutes + 1 hour |
| Miyajima | Daisho-in Temple | 45 minutes |
| Hakushima and the castle | Hiroshima Castle | 1 hour |
| Nishi-ku | Mitaki-dera | 1.5 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · Peace Park and Hondori
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Go at opening or in the late afternoon; school groups pack the galleries from mid-morning, especially in spring and autumn.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
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Religious site · Miyajima
Itsukushima Shrine
Check the tide table: come at high tide for the floating view and at low tide to walk to the torii, ideally on the same day.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
Garden · Hakushima and the castle
Shukkei-en Garden
Visit in late November for maple colour or in spring for cherry blossom, and stop at the tea house for matcha.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
- History
Experience · Peace Park and Hondori
Okonomimura
Sit at the counter and eat straight off the griddle with the small spatula, as locals do; add oysters in winter.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- After dark
Street · Miyajima
Miyajima Omotesando shopping street
Try a fried momiji manjū (age-momiji) on a stick and grilled oysters while walking towards the shrine, but finish them before entering.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Shopping
Gallery · Hiroshima Station area
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
Walk through Hijiyama Park's sculpture paths and viewpoint after your visit.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
More ways to save
- The Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, Daisho-in and the castle grounds are free, and the Peace Museum costs very little.
- Okonomiyaki is a filling, inexpensive meal; lunch sets downtown are cheaper still.
- A Hiroden one-day pass pays for itself if you ride to Miyajimaguchi and back.
- If you hold a Japan Rail Pass, use the JR train and JR ferry to reach Miyajima.
- Staying in Miyajimaguchi rather than on the island cuts accommodation costs while keeping early access.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hiroshima expensive to visit?
Hiroshima is moderately priced for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Hiroshima?
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park: Stand behind the cenotaph to see the flame and the Atomic Bomb Dome framed in one line, then walk the riverbank.