Location: Hiroshima
Top Things to do in Hiroshima
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What to do and see in Hiroshima, Japan: The Best Places and Tips
A trip to Hiroshima is best kicked off with a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which contains a museum, the remnants of buildings destroyed by the 1945 atomic bomb and monuments to the people killed by this nuclear attack. Understanding Hiroshima’s relatively recent devastation is key to fully appreciating its beauty and culture. Visit splendidly rebuilt historic sites like Hiroshima Castle and Shukkei-en Garden, and don’t miss the Itsukushima Shrine on the nearby island of Miyajima.
Restaurants in Hiroshima
1. Atomic Bomb Dome
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
This skeleton of a building is all that remains in the area where the first atomic bomb exploded on August 6, 1945, and serves as a symbol of both the horrors of atomic war and the hope for world peace.
Reviewed By Ferg28 - Chelmsford, United Kingdom
The whole experience in the park and museum and seeing the stark contrast of this building against the rest of the city makes this stand out even more. It’s a moving experience and makes you reflect on the human suffering caused by this. A must see.
2. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
This park commemorates the explosion of the first atomic bomb, and houses the Peace Memorial Museum and monuments related to the horrific event.
Reviewed By swoodruf - Grand Rapids, Michigan
The actual museum structure itself was under renovation when we visited as it is being "earthquake proofed." The exhibits were moved to an adjacent building. Everyone who visits Japan really should take in the museum and park as it has so defined modern Japan and the world. Never must this horrific event be forgotten in future generations. The Japanese have done a wonderful job memorializing the people, the destruction, and the world at the time of the incident. The stories of the children are particularly memorable. Our guide showed us a BBC documentary on the events leading up to the bombing which helped contextualize everything we saw. Please go and see this museum and REMEMBER that this can never happen again.
3. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Andrew2220 - Sydney, Australia
This is an interesting and moving park. The main museum building is closed for renovations. But a temporary display is in another building. Unfortunately the museum was packed and it was hard to see the displays. This could be due to the rain and everyone looking for something indoors to do. Walk around the park and see the different memorials, including the Atomic Dome building.
4. Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 749 reviews
Reviewed By autumncs - Singapore, Singapore
Although the memorial hall is just opposite the peace memorial museum and is admission-free (while the museum has an admission charge), the memorial hall is surprisingly much less crowded and much more quieter than the museum. It is a solemn place to pay respect to the victims and to reflect on the price of peace.
5. Shukkei-en Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 796 reviews
This 17th-century miniature landscape garden was restored after its destruction in 1945, and contains a pond, streams, islets and Bridges.
Reviewed By nzbronwyn - Hamilton, New Zealand
We visited Shukkei-en garden yesterday, having visited many in Japan during our trip. It’s an amazing garden and by our favourite so far. Plenty of history, volunteers who can answer your queries if needed, and a well thought out route established. We spent about 1.5 hours there. There was a cherry blossom grove which had started to bloom which was an added bonus.
The Gardens are also on the Hiroshima sightseeing loop bus which is free with a JR Pass. We didn’t enjoy the museum attached so much but if you have an hour or so free you could do that also.
Would highly recommend to anyone travelling in Hiroshima.
6. The Cenotaph
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 749 reviews
Reviewed By Amy B - London, United Kingdom
This is the part of the Peace Park with the flame. It's very solemn and also cleverly designed so that you can see the Atomic Dome through it. It's a must see in Hiroshima.
7. Children's Peace Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Amy B - London, United Kingdom
This monument tells the story of a young girl who died of leukaemia caused by the radiation from the bomb. Children from all over the world make paper cranes to be displayed at this monument in recognition of all the children affected by this awful tragedy.
8. MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 558 reviews
Reviewed By Nick M - New York City, New York
I only made it one baseball game in Japan but glad it was here. They appear to have a great fan base. Get your video cameras ready for the seventh inning stretch!
Overall, compared to an american baseball game, there is almost no comparison. First major difference, as we walked to the stadium amidst a crowd of fans, I kept noticing all the people selling beer (you can walk with open containers in japan), but also noticed people were buying like 6 packs for themselves. My american mind basically was like, whats wrong with these people, they wont get into the stadium with those. WRONG. Stadium just asks you to pour the beer into cups when you are going in. If thats not enough, its astonishingly clean, the food is good and stadium is very nice.
Definitely a great place to see a game if you have the opportunity.
9. Peace Bell
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 522 reviews
Reviewed By GoneOffTheGrid - Vernon Hills, Illinois
The bell is large but accessible in two ways:
1) Visitors are encouraged to use the horizontal wooden striker to ring the bell (but not too hard, please).
2) As our tour guide explained, you can stand beneath / inside the bell itself. He said that someone standing inside the bell (while it is rung) perceives a greatly muted sound compared to those on the outside.
The supporting structure and surrounding grounds are really beautiful as well.
10. Mitaki Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
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