The capital city of the Hiroshima prefecture in Japan, Hiroshima is a beautiful city with an intriguing past. It has a lot to offer from amazing food and good shopping to historic monuments. Even if it is probably best known for the atomic bomb dropped on it in World War II, nowadays it is a modern city with a vibrant center and a lot of landmarks and is definitely a spot to put on your bucket list. In Japanese “Hiroshima” means wide island. The name comes from the modern history of the city, beginning when Terumoto Mori built the castle in 1589. He gave the city its modern name and united the 5 villages that were there.
Hiroshima has a vibrant center, with Hondori Street as the main, it is 0.5 kilometers long and ends at Peace Memorial Park. Around the street, there are many restaurants and stores. Just wandering around here is an amazing experience. The city also has good nightlife, and Nagarekawa is the best place for it. You have a lot of izakayas (Japanese pubs), bars, beer gardens, and other entertainment venues located here. In this blog, we will tell you everything that you need to know about visiting Hiroshima for the first time including things to do, where to sleep, food, climate, expenses, and getting around.
Things To Do
There are a lot of things to see in Hiroshima. We made a list of the best sights, but besides these, there is still much more to find.
Peace Memorial Museum: Picture by Alvianus Dengen on Unsplash
Peace Memorial Museum
Of course, everyone visiting Hiroshima for the first time goes to the Peace Memorial Museum. It tells the story of the atomic bomb dropped on the city during the Second World War. The museum is beautifully designed and many stories are told from people who were present during the event, which makes it extra profound and intense. The Peace Memorial Museum is located on the edge of Peace Memorial Park and is easily accessible with a short bus ride from Hiroshima station.
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yLLG8cex3Wh2PQDX6
Atomic bomb dome: Picture by Tim Brons
Peace Memorial Park
After the city was destroyed by the atomic bomb, the Japanese government felt it was important to commemorate it. That is why in 1949, it was decided that there should be a park dedicated to the tragedy. The epicenter of the bomb was at the spot where the park is now, making it a logical place to make it. There are many different monuments in the estate. The most famous is probably the Atomic bomb dome, which is shown in the picture above. This was one of the few buildings still standing upright after the event, which is why it was chosen to be kept and transformed into the monument it is today. The Peace Memorial Museum is at the edge of this park. Besides that, you can also find the cenotaph for the A-bomb victims and other smaller monuments. The Peace Memorial Park is easily accessible with a short bus ride from Hiroshima station.
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1o5UAu1TnSKqB7R69
Hiroshima Castle: Picture by Tim Brons
Hiroshima Castle
A fine landmark of Hiroshima is its castle, built in 1589 by lord Mori Terumoto. Unfortunately, in 1945, the castle was destroyed by the atomic bomb. Later the main keep was rebuilt, and little by little other parts of the castle were also being built up. You can still see the original moats. In the main keep, there is a museum which is worth visiting, and on the top floor you have a beautiful view of the city. Hiroshima Castle is easily accessible with a short bus ride from Hiroshima station.
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DxA7jQ8CdNWDzYK28
Grand torii gate Miyajima island: Picture by Tim Brons
Miyajima Island
Off the coast of Hiroshima is Miyajima Island, a beautiful picturesque spot known for its large torii gate and deers that roam freely. That in itself is a reason to visit, but the island has more to offer. Itsukushima Shrine is a beautiful shrine that is located on the island. This shrine is built on stilts above the sea, from here you have a magnificent view of the torii gate. You can also go to the top of Mount Misen. There is a cable car that you can take, but you can also hike to the top. The magnificent pagoda found on the island is also worth seeing. A not-so-well-known landmark is the Miyajima history museum. It is a small museum, but you get a nice insight into how the Japanese people lived on the island. And of course, wandering through the beautiful picturesque streets of the island is a very fun activity. There are several stands here where you can buy food for a cozy atmosphere.
Miyajima Island is accessible in 2 ways. The first is by going to Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi station, from there you can take a ferry. This is the cheaper option for only 600 Yen, and free if you have a JR rail pass. The second option is to take a ferry from the ferry terminal in Hiroshima Center. This is more expensive at 2200 Yen and it’s not included in the JR rail pass, but you do get a scenic boat ride.
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EQYBdQoLp2i4rshT6
Shukkeien Garden: Picture by Cookie Niyompong on Unsplash
Shukkeien Garden
Shukkeien Garden is a beautiful garden with mountains, valleys, and forests. There are also several tea houses, which provide you with a wonderful feeling of tranquility. It can be stunning to see how the seasons change, making you feel like you’re standing in a different garden in summer than you are in winter. Shukkeien Garden is easily accessible with a short bus ride or a 15-minute walk.
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/F3MU1okynPmSFity5
Hotel: Picture by Nik Lanus on Unsplash
Where To Sleep
Unlike most Japanese cities, the center of the city and most places of interest can not be found around the main train station. We recommend being in the northern part of Naka Ward, as a lot of the sights and most of the restaurants and stores are located here. There are also plenty of accommodations, ranging from cheap hostels to exclusive hotels. You can also choose a place near the train station. This can be less ideal than staying in the Naka Ward, but you can still get to all the sights quickly from here.
If you want a more peaceful and nature-based accommodation you can also book a hotel on Miyajima island. Generally, the accommodations here are a bit more expensive than in the city, but you get a lot in return. It is a romantic, picturesque island after all. From here, you can easily take a day trip to Hiroshima.
Okonomiyaki: Picture by Romeo A on Unsplash
What To Eat
Like everywhere else in Japan, eating in Hiroshima is again something to look forward to. The city is famous for its oysters, you can find these delicacies on every street corner. Hiroshima prefecture is responsible for the production of half of these shellfish within Japan. Besides oysters, the city has much more to offer.
They have an amazing way of making the country’s famous okonomiyaki. In most places, all the ingredients are mixed and cooked together. In Hiroshima, however, they layer them and then add extra layers of soba or udon noodles. This makes it unique and something you should definitely try. The best place to try this is in Okonomimura, it is a sprawling food hall where you can try all kinds of okonomiyaki.
Spicy Tsukemen is a dish made with cold noodles and a spicy sauce. Hiroshima-made Tsukemen sauce contains chili oil, chili pepper, vinegar, and sesame seeds, and the noodles are cooled with ice water. The toppings consist of crispy vegetables and char siu pork. This all makes for a unique flavorful palette and is a must-try!
Shirunashi Tantanmen is a delicious noodle dish that the city is known for. It is derived from the Chinese Tantan-men and was perfected in Hiroshima to give it its own specific flavor.
If you’re more of a sweets person then you should definitely try Momiji Manju. It is a maple leaf-shaped cake from the Meiji period. Originally the filling was red bean paste, but nowadays there are a lot of different fillings such as; chocolate, custard, matcha, and cream cheese. You can buy these sweets almost everywhere in Hiroshima!
Most restaurants are in the Hiroshima center, located in the north of Naka ward. When you walk Hondori street you will see a ton of eateries where you can eat delicious food. There are also many restaurants that can be found around the main train station.
Okonomimura: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AAyMQYkaXe1d5UMU9
Hondori Street: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LBZSR32g6VFtqbEAA
Main train station: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4RY7GjbBemqy9fJJ9
Hiroshima: Picture by Redd F on Unsplash
What Time of the Year Should I Visit?
The best time to visit Hiroshima is in spring or fall. We would recommend the months of October, November, March, April, and May. When you go in June/July you should prepare for the fact that it can rain a lot and it is very hot. In August, the rain is not a problem, but it is still very hot and humid. If you visit in winter, you can expect temperatures between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius.
Skyline Hiroshima: Picture by Alex Rehr on Unsplash
Expenses
Prices in Hiroshima are fairly consistent with other major cities in Japan, with only Tokyo being much more expensive. Compared to the country’s capital, you can generally save about 35%, especially on accommodation and alcoholic beverages. But you can make a trip as expensive or cheap as you want because Hiroshima has many hostels and cheap places to eat. But it also has plenty of high-end restaurants and exclusive hotels.
Hiroshima station: Picture by Nakaharu Line on Unsplash
Getting Around
There are several ways to get to the city. The first and probably the easiest way is to get here by Shinkansen (Bullet train). It’s only a 4-hour train ride from Tokyo station. The second option is flying, as Hiroshima has its own international airport. The downside of this is that you will need to take an hour-long bus ride into the city from the airport. The third choice is by car, and when you have accommodation with parking, this is an easy option.
In Hiroshima, the easiest way to get around is by using the tram network, as it sports the biggest tram network in all of Japan. The city also has a good bus network, which contains a really convenient ‘hop on hop off’ bus system. They have a metro network, but it is not that big. Another good option is walking, most of the sights are fairly close to one another so you can see a lot by just walking and you get a nice overview of the city.
When in Japan, Hiroshima is a must-see. The food is a reason in itself to visit, but also the intriguing history and the beautiful nature on Miyajima Island make it a must-see destination. Hiroshima is easily accessible which ensures that the city can be easily visited. In short, this city has something for everyone and should be on your list when you come to Japan.
Featured image by Desmond Tawiah on Unsplash
If you’re coming to Hiroshima for the first time soon, make sure to book a spot on one of our food tours in the city to see Hiroshima like a local with our expert guide!
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