Introduction: A Journey to Experience Hiroshima’s History and Present
Hiroshima Prefecture attracts countless travelers not only from within Japan but from all over the world. Here, a prayer for peace that must never be forgotten coexists with beautiful nature and culture nurtured over a long history.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected ‘absolutely must-visit’ tourist attractions for travelers coming to Hiroshima Prefecture. Beyond mere historical explanations, we delve deep into the atmosphere felt by locals, the best times to encounter the most beautiful scenery, and practical tips for avoiding crowds to ensure a comfortable visit.
Atomic Bomb Dome
📍 Address: 1-10 Otemachi 1-chome, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0051, Japan
The Atomic Bomb Dome, registered as a World Cultural Heritage site, stands as a stark reminder of the tragedy of nuclear weapons and a pledge for peace. Originally designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel, it opened in 1915 as the ‘Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall’ (later the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall), a remarkably modern Western-style building for its time.
As many people describe in reviews, unlike seeing it in videos or photos, standing before it evokes a solemn feeling due to the building’s silence, weight, and overwhelming presence. While entry to the interior is prohibited, you can walk around it to observe. The appearance of the remaining bricks and steel frames changes significantly depending on the angle, so take your time to walk all the way around.
Its daytime silhouette against the blue sky is unforgettable, but at night, it’s softly illuminated, creating an even more solemn atmosphere enveloped in silence.
Peace Memorial Park
📍 Address: 1 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0811, Japan
Adjacent to the Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park is a meticulously designed space by world-renowned architect Kenzo Tange. As you walk through the park, don’t miss the ‘straight axis.’ Passing beneath the main building of the museum, you’ll find the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, with the Atomic Bomb Dome perfectly aligned within its arch.
This beautifully maintained site was once one of Hiroshima’s leading commercial districts (Nakajima area) before the bombing, lined with cinemas, inns, and residences, where people lived their ordinary lives. The ‘Flame of Peace,’ continuously burning in the park, will continue to burn until all nuclear weapons disappear from Earth.
Visiting early in the morning, you might encounter locals doing radio calisthenics or sparrows gathering at your feet, creating a serene morning scene. The fact that the daily life once stolen in an instant has now returned in this way will make you feel the preciousness of peace more strongly than anything else.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
📍 Address: 1-2 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0811, Japan
Following its renewal in 2019, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was reborn with exhibits focusing on the ‘individual experiences’ through artifacts and testimonies of atomic bomb survivors. The admission fee is a mere 200 yen, but the lessons gained here are immeasurable. A great number of foreign visitors also come, all facing the exhibits with equally serious gazes.
There’s an important point travelers must know: In recent years, due to the extremely large number of visitors, situations like ‘long queues just to buy tickets’ and ‘unable to read exhibits due to crowds’ frequently occur during the day. Therefore, once your visit date is set, be sure to ‘purchase and reserve tickets in advance online.’
Especially, the morning (7:30 AM – 8:30 AM) and evening (5:30 PM – 6:30 PM) slots, which are extended operating hours, are ‘reservation slots (with a limit)’ and allow for a relatively calm and thorough viewing experience. Aiming for these times is the smartest way to visit.
Shukkei-en Garden
📍 Address: 2-11 Kaminobori-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0014, Japan
After absorbing the weight of history in the Peace Memorial Park area, take some time to soothe your mind. Shukkei-en Garden, located in the heart of Hiroshima City, is a hidden oasis that allows you to forget the urban hustle and bustle.
It was built in 1620 (Genna 6) as the villa garden for Asano Nagaakira, the first lord of the Hiroshima Domain, with the renowned warrior and tea master Ueda Soko as its landscape designer. It is said to have been created to miniaturize the scenery of China’s West Lake and was named by the Confucian scholar Hayashi Razan. Though once devastatingly damaged by the atomic bomb, it has been meticulously restored over many years.
Centered around the expansive ‘Takuei Pond’ and the magnificent arching ‘Kokyo Bridge,’ you can enjoy seasonal plants while strolling along the garden’s circuit paths. Simply sitting on a bench and leisurely watching the koi fish swim will make your travel fatigue melt away. Easily accessible from Hiroshima Station, it’s a convenient spot to visit even during a short break.
Tomonoura
📍 Address: Tomo, Tomo-cho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture 720-0201, Japan
Extend your journey east from Hiroshima City to ‘Tomonoura’ in Fukuyama City. This romantic port town is an ancient ‘tide-waiting port’ lauded in the Manyoshu anthology, and is also known as the place where Sakamoto Ryoma negotiated during the Iroha Maru Incident at the end of the Edo period.
Tomonoura is the only place in Japan where Edo period port facilities, such as the old townscape, ‘Gangi’ (stone steps), and its iconic ‘Joyato’ (night-light), remain perfectly intact. This beautiful and nostalgic scenery has captivated many creators, serving as the inspiration for Studio Ghibli’s film ‘Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea,’ and a filming location for the drama ‘Ryusei Wagon’ and Hollywood movies.
With good access, approximately 30 minutes by local bus from Fukuyama Station, you might even be lucky enough to hear unique tourist announcements from the local bus drivers. If you visit Tomonoura, ‘sunset’ is an absolute must-see. The Seto Inland Sea, dyed orange, with the silhouette of the Joyato emerging, creates a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
[Conclusion] Tips for a Deeper Hiroshima Sightseeing Experience
Hiroshima Prefecture’s tourist attractions are not just beautiful; each carries profound history and a message. To make the most of your limited travel time, it’s best to follow the ‘Prayer Route’ from the Atomic Bomb Dome to Peace Memorial Park and then to the Museum in the early morning to late morning when your mind and body are fresh. In the serene atmosphere, you can feel the preciousness of peace more deeply.
In the afternoon, we recommend creating an itinerary that allows you to experience a contrast of emotions, such as finding solace amidst the greenery while enjoying matcha at Shukkei-en Garden, or extending your trip to be captivated by the sunset-dyed townscape of Tomonoura. Be sure to confirm ticket reservations and access methods in advance, and embark on a journey to discover the profound charm unique to Hiroshima.
