The city of Hiroshima is best known among overseas visitors as the site of the world’s first atomic bombing. The city’s association with nuclear weapons has been underscored by the recent Nobel Peace Prize win by Nihon Hidankyo, a grass roots movement of atomic bomb survivors. But there are many things to see and do in the city.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Hiroshima today is a thriving metropolis and to fully appreciate the impact of the atomic bomb, a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is essential. Located on the northern tip of an island in the Ota River delta, near ground zero of the August 6, 1945 detonation, the World-Heritage listed park contains a number of features commemorating various aspects of the human cost of war and nuclear weapons in particular.
The Peace Memorial Museum contains memorabilia and explanations of the explosion and its aftermath, presented in chronological order. The overwhelming message is that nuclear weapons are horrific and indiscriminate, and should never be used again.
Less well-known, but equally moving, is the nearby Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for Atomic Bomb Victims. Here, victims’ stories are told. In addition to various translations available throughout the museum, there are live readings of victim’s memoirs on the second Sunday and fourth Friday of every month from 2:30 to 3:10 p.m. and on the third Tuesday of every month from 11:00 to 11:40 a.m. Through the end of February 2025, there is a poignant special exhibition about the Akatsuki Corps, child soldiers training on an island near Hiroshima who were sent into the city immediately after the atomic bombing to help.
Creating a visual line between the Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome across the Motoyasu River from the peace park is the reflecting pool and its eternal flame. This is also the central location for annual commemoration rites, often attended by foreign dignitaries from around the world. Nearby is the Children’s Peace Monument, topped by a young girl holding a large origami crane. Surrounding the monument are plexi-glass booths filled with streamers of origami cranes, a symbol of hope and healing. Many of these have been folded and placed here by visiting school children.

Other features to look for in the park include a peace bell that visitors can ring, a peace clock tower, a monument to Korean victims and survivors, and even the footings of buildings destroyed by the bomb (at the time of the bombing, this area was a thriving neighborhood of the city).
Although not technically part of the peace park, don’t miss the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome. The ruined shell of the 1915 Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, the steel girders of its dome twisted by the blast, stands today pretty much as it looked in the aftermath of the 1945 bombing. On the street behind the dome, look for a stone marker identifying the actual hypocenter of the explosion, which took place 600 meters above that point, with the force of 15,000 tons of TNT.
River boat tour
Hiroshima is a city built on a river delta and the river is central to its existence. For a better appreciation of the river’s role, and perhaps a bit of decompression after a visit to the peace park, take a river boat tour departing from the Motoyasu Pier just east of the park.

There are a few different courses offered by the Hiroshima Water Taxi company, including 25 and 60 minute circle routes (departing every 40 to 50 minutes), an hour ride between the Motoyasu Pier and Hiroshima Station with several stops in between (a less frequent and sometimes suspended service), and sunset cruises. Check their website for details.
For visitors planning to combine their Hiroshima visit with a visit to Miyajima, there is also a ferry service from Motoyasu Pier to Miyajima. The ferry is an especially pleasant way to reach that magical little island.
Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima as a castle town dates to the late sixteenth century, when the powerful Mori warlords built Hiroshima Castle. The flatland castle continued to serve as an administrative center even into the late nineteenth century. The Emperor Meiji stayed on the castle grounds for six months during the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) when it was the Imperial General Headquarters.
The wooden buildings on the castle grounds, including the keep, were destroyed by the 1945 atomic bomb. The keep was reconstructed in 1958 and is now a history museum. The foundations of other buildings, including the one occupied by the emperor, can still be seen on the castle grounds.

There are three trees inside the castle grounds, less than a kilometer from the hypocenter of the atomic bombing, that have survived the bombing. Each is clearly labeled.
Shukkei-en and the Prefectural Art Museum
Shukkei-en is a traditional garden originally developed by the Mori feudal lords in 1620.
Like most such gardens, it surrounds a large pond that is fed by a couple of small streams and crossed by several small foot bridges. The main bridge is a picturesque half-moon stone arch anchored on a causeway, with a tea house on one side

The best way to enjoy Shukkei-en is a simple amble along the paths around the pond, crossing and re-crossing bridges to appreciate the various views, exactly as those ancient samurai did. Colorful carp in the pond occasionally gather in the hope of food, which can be purchased and scattered to them.
The Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum sits in one corner of the original garden grounds, with large windows facing into the garden from the central staircase area and the third story café, enabling visitors to enjoy another perspective on the garden, perhaps over lunch.
It’s well worth the time to examine the museum’s collection, and the various special exhibitions offered, focusing on Japanese artists, both modern and traditional. The collection is well curated, with sufficient English explanations to facilitate one’s appreciation.
Culinary delights
Hiroshima can be a foodie heaven. The prefecture is well-known for its oyster production; Hiroshima oysters are especially moist and succulent. It is also famous for its okonomiyaki.
Okonomiyaki is sometimes characterized as a savory pancake and sometimes called Japanese pizza. The distinctive Hiroshima style of okonomiyaki leans toward the latter. A batter base is fried on a teppan griddle and then pile high with cabbage, soba noodles and various other toppings chosen by the diner (maybe even Hiroshima oysters!).

While it seems every second restaurant in Hiroshima offers okonomiyaki, one of best places to go for this treat is Okonomi-mura, a multi-story building containing 23 okonomiyaki restaurants, each comprising stools around a teppan griddle where the meal is prepared as diners look on. Fast, inexpensive and so tasty!
For a relaxing pre-dinner drink, try the open-air top floor of Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, a new-ish high-rise near the peace park (just visible in the upper right-hand corner of the top photo of this article). Grab a tasting flight of Hiroshima sake and a few munchies and sit on shallow wooden risers while relaxing with views of the city’s lights.
Vicki L Beyer, a regular Japan Today contributor, is a freelance travel writer who also blogs about experiencing Japan. Follow her blog at jigsaw-japan.com
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