The largest and most important city in Chugoku region, Hiroshima is a nice and laidback city that became known globally for being the first ever target of a nuclear weapon in the history of the world.
On August 6, 1945, at 8:15 am, the city was struck by an atomic bomb, known as the “Little Boy”, dropped by the United States Army Air Forces. The bombing left much of the city destroyed, and several hundreds of thousands of people dead.
After World War II, it took Hiroshima several years to get back on its feet, with the assistance of the Japanese government. Today, some of the city’s most visited tourist spots are related to the bombing.
How To Get To Hiroshima
You can get to Hiroshima by air, railway, or bus.
The Hiroshima Airport is Chugoku Region’s largest airport, located in Mihara, approximately 50 kilometres east of the city of Hiroshima. It handles a number of international flights per day, including to and from Beijing via Air China, to and from Seoul via Air Seoul, to and from Taipei via China Airlines, to and from Singapore via SilkAir, and to and from Hong Kong via HK Express. Its domestic routes include Sapporo via Air Do and Japan Airlines, Naha and Tokyo via All Nippon Airways, and Osaka and Sendai via Ibex Airlines/All Nippon Airways.
The JR Hiroshima Railway Station is the city’s primary train hub. It is along the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Line, which allows fast and convenient travel between Hiroshima and Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, and more.
As an example, the Nozomi bullet trains take approximately four hours for a one-way direct Tokyo-Hiroshima trip, while the Hikari and Sakura bullet trains take five hours and one transfer at Shin-Osaka Station.
There are also overnight highway bus services between Tokyo and Hiroshima, and a one-way journey takes around 12 hours. Willer Express and Japan Bus Online provide more information on ticket prices, discounts, timetables, and ticket reservation and purchase.
Top Attractions in Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Park
Occupying more than 120,000 square metres, the Peace Memorial Park is among Hiroshima’s major landmarks. It consists of several gardens, walking paths, lawns, and monuments.
Among its most prominent structures are the A-Bomb Dome, which used to be the Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall building; the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb victims, which includes a stone chest that contains all the 220,000+ names of those who died because of the nuclear bomb; and the Peace Memorial Museum, which features photographs, videos, and other items that tell the story of the tragic event.
The park is a short walk away from the Genbaku-Domu Mae tram station along tram line 2 or 6.
More information on the park, the museum, and its facilities are available on the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum website.
Hiroshima Castle
Standing in the centre of the city is Hiroshima Castle, a 16th century Japanese-style fortress built by feudal lord Mori Terumoto. Also called Carp Castle, its original structure consisted of five storeys, several gates, stone walls, towers, and moats, and the main keep was primarily made of pine wood.
Unfortunately, in 1945, the castle was completely destroyed by the atomic bomb. What the city has today is a concrete reconstruction that was finished in 1958.
To get to the castle, take tram line 1, 2, or 6, and get off at Kamiyacho-nishi tram stop or Kamiyacho-higashi tram stop. The castle entrance is about 10 minutes away on foot.
Shukkein Garden
A beautiful Japanese garden with miniature representations of mountains, valleys, forests, and other landscapes, the Shukkein Garden is a four-hundred-year-old garden that offers a serene and relaxing atmosphere. It has walking trails, tea houses, ponds, and a diverse collection of flowers and trees.
From Hiroshima Station, Shukkeien Garden is 15 minutes away on foot. You can also take tram line 9, and get off at the Shukkeien-mae tram stop, just a stone’s throw away from the garden’s entrance.
Opening hours, tickets, and other information can be found on Shukkeien Garden’s official pamphlet.
Downtown Hiroshima
Hiroshima’s downtown area has an abundance of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
One of its highlights is Hondori Street, which is a pedestrian-only arcade lined with stores, shops, restaurants, and other business establishments. It is less than a kilometre long, with one end adjacent to the Peace Memorial Park.
Also, a trip to Hiroshima is not complete without trying the local specialty, Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki, at any restaurant in Okonomimura, or Okonomiyaki Village, also in downtown Hiroshima.
From Hiroshima Station, tram lines 1, 2, and 6, or a 20-minute walk can take you to downtown Hiroshima.
Mitaki-dera Temple
Founded in 809, Mitaki-dera Temple is a Buddhist Temple that is the 13th temple of the Chugoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. In autumn and spring, the temple complex is a popular autumn foliage and sakura viewing site, with its spectacular maple and cherry trees. It also has an area dedicated to honour the atomic bomb victims.
From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Kabe Line to Mitaki Station. The temple is a 15-minute walk away.
Getting Around Hiroshima
Hiroshima is home to the largest tram network in Japan. It consists of eight lines, starting from Hiroshima Station and extending to various parts of the city, and provides easy access to the most popular tourist attractions.
A single tram ride only costs 160 yen. However, if you expect to use the tram four or more times in one day, it is more economical to get a one-day tram pass that costs only 600 yen. More information is available here.
There are also city buses that stop at the different attractions and sightseeing spots. Most notable is the JR loop bus, which you can ride for free if you have a valid Japan Rail Pass. More information is available here.
Walking is also an option, as Hiroshima Station, Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden, and Peace Memorial Park are only about 15 to 30 minutes away on foot from each other.
Weather in Hiroshima
Summer time in Hiroshima is hot and humid, with lots of rainy days, especially in June and July. The average daily temperature is around 28 degrees Celsius. In autumn, temperatures fall to around 18 degrees, and once winter starts, days can be as cold as 5 to 7 degrees. In spring, average temperature is around 15 degrees, with a few rainy days.