Hiroshima is one of Japan's most historically significant cities, forever linked to the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945, yet reborn as a vibrant modern metropolis and a global symbol of peace and resilience. The city sits on the delta of the Ota River where six channels meet the Seto Inland Sea, giving it a lush, island-laced setting. Beyond its profound memorial sites, Hiroshima offers excellent cuisine — including the iconic layered Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki — beautiful Seto Inland Sea islands like Miyajima with its floating torii gate, and a warm, welcoming local culture.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Hiroshima.
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1
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
This riverside park was built on the site of Hiroshima's former commercial district, flattened by the 1945 atomic bombing, and now serves as the city's central place for mourning and remembrance. It brings together the Peace Memorial Museum, the Children's Peace Monument, the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, and dozens of smaller memorials across open lawns and tree-lined paths at the confluence of two river branches. Walking through it takes you past the eternal Flame of Peace, which stays lit until the last nuclear weapon on Earth is dismantled.
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2
A-Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome)
Formerly the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, this building was almost directly beneath the atomic bomb's detonation point and is the only structure in the immediate blast area left standing, its skeletal brick shell and iron dome frame preserved exactly as they were. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 as a deliberate reminder of the bombing rather than a restored monument. Visitors view it from the outside only, from across the Motoyasu River or the adjacent park.
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3
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
The museum documents the August 6, 1945 bombing and its human consequences through photographs, personal belongings recovered from victims, and models showing the city before and after the blast. Exhibits move from the historical and political lead-up to the bombing into the individual stories of those affected, including items like a child's melted tricycle and scorched clothing. It's designed to be walked through as a single narrative rather than browsed room by room.
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4
Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima Island
Built on stilts over the water off Miyajima Island, this Shinto shrine appears to float at high tide, with its offshore torii gate becoming a landmark reachable on foot only when the tide is out. The current structure dates to the 12th century under the patronage of the warlord Taira no Kiyomori, though the site's religious use goes back further. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan's most photographed shrines.
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5
Hiroshima Castle (Carp Castle)
The original castle was built in the 1590s by feudal lord Mori Terumoto and destroyed in the atomic bombing; the current structure is a 1958 concrete reconstruction of the main keep, now housing a museum on the castle's history and samurai culture. Its nickname comes from the carp motif long associated with the castle and the city. The compact grounds include reconstructed gate structures and a moat.
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6
Shukkeien Garden
This Edo-period landscape garden was laid out in 1620 for the daimyo Asano Nagaakira, modeled on a lake in China's Xihu region, with a central pond, arched bridges, and paths designed to be walked in sequence for changing views. Like most of the city it was destroyed in 1945 and later restored, with some original stone lanterns and features rebuilt to their earlier design. It's small enough to see in under an hour but rewards a slower pace.
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7
Mt. Misen, Miyajima Island
At 535 meters, Mt. Misen is Miyajima Island's highest point and has been treated as sacred ground for over a thousand years, with a two-stage ropeway carrying visitors most of the way up before a foot trail covers the final stretch to the summit. The observatory at the top looks out over the Seto Inland Sea and its scattered islands. Wild deer and monkeys are common along the lower trails near the ropeway stations.
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8
Hiroshima Children's Peace Monument
This statue, topped by a girl holding a crane, was raised in memory of Sasako Sadako, a bombing victim who died of leukemia at age 12 after folding paper cranes in the hope of recovery, and it now stands for all children killed by the bomb. Surrounding it are glass cases holding millions of origami cranes sent by schoolchildren and groups from around the world, replenished continually. It's one of the most visited memorials within Peace Memorial Park.
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9
Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
This is the main pedestrian street running from the ferry pier toward Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima island, lined with shops selling local crafts, grilled oysters, and momiji manju (maple-leaf shaped cakes). It's the natural walking route between the boat dock and the shrine, so most visitors pass through it whether they plan to shop or not. Wild deer wander the street and will approach food, which surprises first-time visitors more than the shops do.
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10
Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for Atomic Bomb Victims
Built partly underground next to the Peace Memorial Museum, this hall is a memorial and records center rather than a museum of artifacts. Its centerpiece is a circular hall with a watery, panoramic mural made from 140,000 tiles, representing the estimated death toll by the end of 1945. Visitors can also search a registry of victims' names and photographs and watch survivor testimony recordings in a reading room.
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to visit Hiroshima from a radiation perspective?
Completely safe. Background radiation in Hiroshima is the same as any other city in Japan. The atomic bomb's radioactive fallout dissipated decades ago. Millions of visitors come each year without any health concerns.
How long does the Peace Memorial Museum take?
Most visitors spend 1.5–2.5 hours. The museum is emotionally intense; budget time for reflection afterwards.
When is the best time to see the Miyajima torii gate floating?
At high tide, which changes daily. Check the tide table posted at the Miyajima Ferry Terminal information board on the day of visit.