Hiroshima

広島

Home to the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum dedicated to WWII history and promoting peace. The site is deeply meaningful, offering important historical context and beautiful riverside gardens that inspire reflection on humanity.

Things to do

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park — Walk through the iconic park centered on the Peace Memorial Monument, with the haunting A-Bomb Dome ruins and reflecting pools that honor the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing.
• Peace Memorial Museum — Explore the comprehensive museum documenting the history of the atomic bomb, wartime Hiroshima, and the city's recovery through photographs, artifacts, and personal testimonies.
• Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island — Visit the famous floating torii gate and sacred shrine on nearby Miyajima Island, one of Japan's most photographed sites accessible by a short ferry ride from central Hiroshima.
• Hiroshima Castle — Climb the reconstructed five-story castle with panoramic views of the city and exhibits on samurai history and the castle's role through different eras.
• Shukkeien Garden — Stroll through this serene 16th-century landscape garden featuring miniaturized mountain and valley scenes, perfect for quiet reflection.
• Street Art and Nagarekawa District — Wander through the lively riverside entertainment quarter with restaurants, bars, and street art that showcase modern Hiroshima's vibrant cultural rebirth.

Food to try

• Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki — Try the local savory pancake layered with noodles, cabbage, egg, and your choice of protein, cooked on a flat griddle and served with thick Hiroshima-style sauce and bonito flakes.
• Anago Meshi — Savor this regional specialty of grilled conger eel served over rice in a wooden box, often prepared at local restaurants in the Nagarekawa area.
• Hiroshima Ramen — Enjoy noodles in a rich broth topped with local ingredients like bean sprouts, pork, and a soft-boiled egg, reflecting the region's post-war street food traditions.
• Tori Soboro Don — Experience finely shredded chicken and egg over rice, a simple but flavorful Hiroshima comfort food found at casual eateries throughout the city.
• Momiji Manju — Taste the famous maple-leaf-shaped sponge cakes filled with red bean paste or other fillings, a classic souvenir particularly associated with Miyajima Island near Hiroshima.

Local customs & good to know

• Respectful Behavior at the Peace Memorial — Maintain quiet, contemplative behavior in the Peace Memorial Park and Museum—this is a sacred space of remembrance where photography inside the museum is often restricted out of respect for the deceased.
• Seasonal Crowds and Visit Timing — Plan visits to popular sites like Miyajima's torii gate early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid peak tourist crowds, especially during cherry blossom season and summer holidays.
• Local Transportation Cards — Purchase an IC card like Paspy at convenience stores for seamless travel on trams and buses throughout Hiroshima, as the tram system is the primary local transit method.
• Festival Season Appreciation — If visiting in August, be aware that Hiroshima holds commemorative peace events around August 6th, and the city also celebrates the Hiroshima Flower Festival in May with street processions and food stalls.