- Hiroshima is known as the 'City of Water' due to its six branches of the Ota River flowing through the urban delta.
- The city's regional specialty, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, distinguishes itself from the Osaka version by layering ingredients rather than mixing them and incorporating yakisoba noodles.
- During the reconstruction of the city, the municipal government mandated the preservation of the skeletal Atomic Bomb Dome as a tangible reminder of the necessity for nuclear abolition.
- Hiroshima maintains an extensive streetcar system, with some vintage cars from the 1950s still in daily operation alongside modern low-floor vehicles.
About Hiroshima
Hiroshima is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, uniquely recognized globally for its profound transition from a site of wartime destruction to a center of international peace advocacy. The city serves as a living memorial, anchored by the poignant Atomic Bomb Dome and the expansive Peace Memorial Park - Hiroshima. Beyond its somber history, the city offers cultural retreats such as the serene Shukkeien Garden and the historical reconstruction of Hiroshima Castle. Visitors also experience modern urban energy through institutions like the Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima and a thriving local culinary scene centered on okonomiyaki.
Highlights of Hiroshima
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
See the stark skeleton of the Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall preserved exactly as it stood after the 1945 explosion.
Museums
Examine personal artifacts and survivor testimonies that provide a sobering, detailed historical record of the atomic bombing.
Historical places
Explore the reconstructed five-story donjon of this 16th-century fortress, which now houses an informative museum on feudal history.
Parks
Walk through this tea-ceremony garden that features a variety of landscapes designed to mimic famous Chinese and Japanese scenery.
Places of interest
Observe the thousands of colorful paper cranes offered by children from around the world to honor those who perished.
Temples
Find tranquility in this hillside temple complex, which is particularly visually striking during the autumn maple season.
Historical places
View the arched cenotaph designed to shelter the souls of victims, aligned perfectly to frame the Atomic Bomb Dome in the distance.
Venues
Experience the regional passion for baseball at this modern stadium, which serves as the home field for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Top things to do in Hiroshima
The 813 highest-rated places in Hiroshima, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
The Atomic Bomb Dome is the skeletal remains of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, preserved as...
2
Historical places
Peace Memorial Park is a 12-hectare memorial site built on the open field created by the 1945 atomic bombing in the Naka...
3
Museums
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is located within Peace Memorial Park, situated on the site of the former Nakajima d...
4
Venues
Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima serves as the home field for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, a professional Nippon Profession...
5
Historical places
Hiroshima Castle, originally constructed in 1589 by Mori Terumoto, is a reconstruction of a flatland castle destroyed by...
6
Parks
Shukkeien Garden, established in 1620 as a villa garden for the Asano clan, features a central pond containing numerous...
7
Zoos
Asa Zoo is located in the northern mountains of Hiroshima and is renowned for its spacious, habitat-focused enclosures t...
8
Museums
The Hiroshima Museum of Art is uniquely centered on the theme of 'Love and Peace,' housing a curated collection of Frenc...
9
Museums
The Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims is a subterranean facility dedicated to mourning...
10
Museums
The Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum features a permanent collection of over 5,000 works, emphasizing both historical Ja...
11
Places of interest
The Children's Peace Monument is a bronze statue located in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, dedicated to the child victim...
12
Temples
Mitaki-dera, located on the slopes of Mount Mitaki, is a Shingon-Kendo temple founded in 809 AD by the monk Kukai. Its n...
13
Historical places
The Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph, officially the Memorial Monument for Hiroshima, City of Peace, is a saddle-shap...
14
Parks
Hijiyama Park is a hilltop park located on a mountain ridge, offering elevated views of Hiroshima city and the Seto Inla...
15
Historical places
The Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Monument marks the exact ground point directly beneath the airburst of the 'Little...
16
Zoos
Mariho Aquarium is a boutique, modern aquarium located within the Marina Hop shopping complex in Hiroshima, Japan. The f...
17
Museums
The 5-Days Children's Cultural Science Museum in Hiroshima is a specialized educational facility designed to promote sci...
18
Museums
The Numaji Transportation Museum, also known as the Hiroshima City Transportation Museum, is built on a site designed to...
19
Parks
Hiroshima Gate Park is a multifunctional urban green space developed on the former site of the Hiroshima Municipal Baseb...
20
Museums
The Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art is Japan's first public museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art,...
21
Parks
Hiroshima Minato Park is a waterfront public space located adjacent to the Ujina Passenger Terminal, serving as a gatewa...
22
Temples
The Assumption of Mary Cathedral, also known as the Hiroshima Noboricho Catholic Church, is a significant post-war relig...
23
Museums
The Ebayama Museum of Meteorology is housed in the former Hiroshima Local Meteorological Observatory, a historic buildin...
24
Parks
Senda Park is a prominent riverside green space situated in Hiroshima’s Naka Ward, primarily serving the adjacent Hirosh...
25
Museums
26
Parks
27
Temples
28
Parks
29
Parks
30
Historical places
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Hiroshima on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Hiroshima
Spring (late March to early April) for the cherry blossoms or autumn (November) for the vibrant fall foliage, particularly at Mitaki-dera.
2-3 days, allowing enough time for both the solemn memorial sites and regional day trips like Miyajima Island.
The city is highly accessible via the Hiroshima Electric Railway (Hiroden) tram network and an extensive bus system, with a walkable central district.
Stay in the Naka-ku district for walking distance to the Peace Memorial Park, or near Hiroshima Station for convenient access to transit and regional travel.
Mid-range; while transportation and attractions are reasonably priced, costs for high-end dining and accommodation align with major Japanese urban centers.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 813 curated attractions in and around Hiroshima, ranked by traveller ratings.
Atomic Bomb Dome is the highest-rated place to visit in Hiroshima right now.
The largest category is parks, with 393 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Toshima, Osaka, Kyoto.
Explore more of Japan
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
