How to Choose from Hiroshima's 15 Best Things to Do
Sightseeing in Hiroshima is easier to plan when you divide it into trips for learning about history and peace, enjoying the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea, walking through old townscapes, and spending time in nature.
The approach that works well is to first decide the purpose of your trip and then combine the areas that match that purpose one by one.
Hiroshima's Must-See and Hidden Spots by Area
Hiroshima City and Miyajima gather the classic spots that are easy to visit on a first trip, while Onomichi, Fukuyama, Takehara, and the north of the prefecture offer hidden gems where you can savor town walks and nature more deeply.
Here we have organized the features of all the spots together with the theme of each trip.
| Name | Area | Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic Bomb Dome | Hiroshima City | Symbol of peace | Learning history |
| Peace Memorial Park | Hiroshima City | Space of remembrance | A quiet walk |
| Peace Memorial Museum | Hiroshima City | A-bomb exhibits | Understanding the background |
| Hiroshima Castle | Hiroshima City | Castle site and revival | Castle lovers |
| Shukkeien Garden | Hiroshima City | Strolling garden | Garden walks |
| Itsukushima Shrine | Miyajima | Seaside shrine | Feeling Japanese culture |
| Mount Misen | Miyajima | Forest and rock scenery | Enjoying nature |
| Daishoin Temple | Miyajima | Ancient temple at the foot | Touring temples |
| Senkoji Park | Onomichi | Views over the hillside town | Taking photos |
| Shimanami Kaido | Onomichi area | Road of islands and bridges | Cycling trips |
| Tomonoura | Fukuyama | Historic port town | Town walks |
| Okunoshima | Takehara | Island nature and history | Meeting animals |
| Takehara Townscape Preservation District | Takehara | Merchant-house scenery | A quiet stroll |
| Sandankyo Gorge | Akiota | Gorge and walking trails | Mountain walks |
| Taishakukyo Gorge | Shobara area | Gorge and lake | Fans of majestic scenery |
Don't Try to Pack Too Much into One Trip
Because Hiroshima Prefecture is wide from east to west and north to south, rather than touring all fifteen places at once, it is more relaxing to combine nearby themes such as Hiroshima City and Miyajima, Onomichi and Tomonoura, or Takehara and Okunoshima.
Boats, ropeways, hiking trails, and gorge ferries can be affected by weather, inspections, and traffic restrictions, so check the official guidance from the operators before you set out.
5 Classic Things to Do in Central Hiroshima City
In central Hiroshima City, you can visit places for reflecting on peace and places for experiencing the history of the castle town and garden culture one after another, on foot or by streetcar.
At the exhibition facilities, it is important to secure time to engage at your own pace rather than rushing through the content.
1. Atomic Bomb Dome: A Building That Conveys the Memory of the Bombing
The Atomic Bomb Dome is the remains of a building that was used before the bombing as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, and it is preserved as a symbol of the wish for peace.
It is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can view its exterior from along the Motoyasu River, on the opposite bank from Peace Memorial Park.
It is a place to view from the outside, so do not enter inside the fence, and view it quietly out of consideration for the surrounding space of remembrance.
2 and 3. Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum: Connecting Prayer and Learning
The park and the museum are close to each other, but their roles differ, so visiting both makes it easier to understand Hiroshima's history in a well-rounded way.
Peace Memorial Park
Peace Memorial Park is dotted with cenotaphs and monuments and has been developed as a place to mourn those who died in the atomic bombing and to pray for lasting peace.
On the line of sight from the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims toward the Atomic Bomb Dome stands the "Flame of Peace," and rather than aiming only for photos, turning your eyes to the inscriptions and the guidance makes it easier to receive the meaning this place holds.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Through the belongings, photographs, and materials of the victims, the museum conveys the damage caused by the atomic bomb and the path Hiroshima has walked.
Audio guides and some of the exhibit descriptions are available in multiple languages, making it easier for travelers from overseas to understand the background of the exhibits.
Because the exhibits include emotionally intense content, set aside time to rest afterward, and if you are with children, it is reassuring to check the exhibit content in advance.
4. Hiroshima Castle: Learning Hiroshima's Story from Its Exterior and Castle Grounds
Hiroshima Castle traces its origins to a castle built by Mori Terumoto, and it is also a place that conveys the history of the bombing and postwar reconstruction.
Because the keep has closed and ended interior viewing due to deterioration of the concrete and aging of its facilities, focus your visit on the exterior, the stone walls, the moat, and the area around the Ninomaru, and check the official guidance for the status of future improvements.
5. Shukkeien Garden: Savoring the Changing Scenery as You Circle the Pond
Shukkeien was created around 1620 as the garden of the villa of the Asano family, the lords of the Hiroshima domain, and it is a strolling garden that you view while walking past ponds, bridges, islands, and tea houses.
Because the scenery changes depending on the direction you look even in the same spot, there is pleasure in walking around the pond without rushing and searching for compositions where the buildings and plantings overlap.
3 Classic Culture and Nature Spots to Visit on Miyajima
On Miyajima, walking not only Itsukushima Shrine but also Mount Misen behind it and the temples at the foot of the mountain lets you feel that the whole island has been supported by faith and nature.
Because how things look and how you move around change with the tide level, the weather, and the operating status of boats and the ropeway, use the official information for the day as your guide.
6. Itsukushima Shrine: A Shrine Whose Appearance Changes with the Tides
Itsukushima Shrine, with its halls lined up along the shore, is known for scenery in which the Grand Torii and the mountains behind it become one, and it is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At high tide the halls look as if they float on the sea, and at low tide you can walk close to the Grand Torii, giving different impressions; follow the on-site signs for where you may enter, and avoid photography that obstructs worshippers' passage.
7. Mount Misen: Miyajima's Peak Wrapped in Forest and Giant Rocks
Mount Misen is a sacred peak about 535 meters high where you can encounter scenery formed by primeval vegetation and large rocks, and you can also enjoy a mountain walk linking temples and viewpoints.
Even if you use the ropeway, slopes and stairs remain up to the summit, so choose comfortable walking shoes and prepare drinks and protection against the weather.
8. Daishoin Temple: A Temple for Experiencing Buddhist Culture at the Foot of the Mountain
Daishoin is the head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism at the foot of Mount Misen, and it is said to be the oldest temple on Miyajima, with several halls and Buddhist statues arranged in its grounds.
It is easier to feel a calmer atmosphere here than around Itsukushima Shrine, making it suited to those who want to experience Miyajima's Buddhist faith while climbing the slopes and stone steps.
3 Spots to Enjoy Town and Sea Views in Onomichi and Fukuyama
In eastern Hiroshima Prefecture, Onomichi with its sea views from the slopes, the Shimanami Kaido linking the islands with bridges, and Tomonoura, which retains the look of a port town, each show a different face.
Beyond a day trip from Hiroshima City, staying overnight in the east and walking around makes it easier to encounter the quiet townscapes of morning and evening as well.
9. Senkoji Park: Overlooking the Onomichi Channel and the Hillside Town
Senkoji Park spreads from the summit to the middle slope of Mount Senkoji and is a viewpoint from which you can look out over the Onomichi Channel, the islands, and the town.
You can go up to the summit in about 3 minutes on the Senkoji-yama Ropeway from near JR Onomichi Station, and after taking in the view, descending into town through temples and narrow slopes lets you experience the elevation changes and everyday scenery that are so typical of Onomichi.
10. Shimanami Kaido: A Setouchi Cycling Route Linking Islands and Bridges
The Shimanami Kaido links Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture with a motorway about 60 kilometers long, while its cycling road is a wide-area route stretching about 70 kilometers, which you can enjoy by combining bicycle, car, and public transport.
As a precious road where you can cross the straits by bicycle or on foot, it is also called the "Holy Land of Cyclists."
Rather than insisting on covering the entire route, choosing Mukaishima or Innoshima on the Hiroshima side for a walk or a ride makes it easier even for beginners to arrange their itinerary.
11. Tomonoura: A Port Town Where Stone Lanterns and Alleys Remain
Tomonoura is a port town in Fukuyama City where you can enjoy walking through a historic landscape in which the Joyato lantern, temples and shrines, merchant houses, and narrow alleys overlap.
Because some of the local roads are narrow, do not stop in the middle of the road, and stroll while giving priority to residents and vehicles.
2 Hidden Spots for Seto Inland Sea Islands and Old Townscapes
Around Takehara, you can combine the nature of an island reached by boat and a preservation district lined with merchant houses in a single trip.
These are also places where travelers' own behavior, such as the distance kept from animals and photography in residential areas, easily affects the local environment.
12. Okunoshima: Rabbits and the Island's History
Okunoshima is an island in the Seto Inland Sea reached by ferry from Tadanoumi Port in Takehara City, where you can learn multiple histories not only through the sight of rabbits but also through the war ruins of poison-gas production and the natural environment.
The entire island is designated as part of the Setonaikai National Park.
Do not touch the rabbits, do not feed them directly from your hand, and do not spread food on the road; observe them while following the rules set out by the Ministry of the Environment and the local community.
13. Takehara Townscape Preservation District: Quietly Admiring the Design of the Merchant Houses
The Takehara Townscape Preservation District is selected as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, and merchant houses with lattices and plaster walls, temples, and buildings related to sake brewing remain, letting you enjoy a calm town walk.
Distinguish between facilities open to the public and ordinary residences, and be considerate of residents' privacy when photographing entrances or through windows.
Here we have organized the behavior to keep in mind on island and town walks.
| Situation | What to Keep in Mind | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Using boats | Check the schedule in advance | Missing the last boat |
| Watching rabbits | Watch from a distance | Holding or chasing them |
| Photographing the townscape | Keep walkways clear | Entering private property |
2 Hidden Gorge Spots for Walking Deep into Hiroshima's Nature
Venturing into the north of the prefecture and the mountainous areas, you can encounter scenery of rock walls, clear streams, and forests, different from the calm sea of the Seto Inland Sea.
Because safety comes first in natural terrain, rather than fixing your schedule with the same mindset as urban sightseeing, make a plan that you can change to match on-site restrictions and the weather.
14. Sandankyo Gorge: A Special Place of Scenic Beauty Along a Clear Stream
Sandankyo is a gorge about 16 kilometers long in Akiota Town, designated a national Special Place of Scenic Beauty, where you can enjoy scenery formed by steep rock walls, forests, waterfalls, and pools from the walking trails.
Because ferry crossings such as Kurobuchi and the passable sections can change with the weather and rising water, check the guidance on the official website and do not enter closed sections.
15. Taishakukyo Gorge: Gorge Scenery Around Onbashi and Lake Shinryu
Taishakukyo is a scenic spot in the Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park that spans Shobara City and Jinsekikogen Town, with highlights divided between the Kami-Taishaku area and the area around Lake Shinryu, where you can enjoy the limestone terrain, the natural bridge Onbashi that is about 40 meters high, and the lakeside scenery.
Because the entrance and the way to get around differ depending on the scenery you want to see, checking the local map and deciding your walking range in advance makes it less likely that you will get lost.
Tips for Travelers to Japan on Planning a Hiroshima Trip
Rather than building your itinerary around the fame of the spots alone, planning it based on your interests, means of transport, and ability to handle changing weather keeps it manageable.
Because cities, islands, townscapes, and gorges require different preparations, the key is not to pack too many places of different character into a single day.
Choose Your Area by the Purpose of Your Trip
For a first visit to Hiroshima, Hiroshima City and Miyajima are candidates; for photos and town walks, Onomichi and Tomonoura; for a quiet stay, Takehara; and for a focus on nature, Sandankyo or Taishakukyo.
Here we have organized how to combine areas by travel type.
| Travel Type | Main Area | Example Combination |
|---|---|---|
| First visit to Hiroshima | Hiroshima City / Miyajima | Peace and faith |
| Focus on town walks | Onomichi / Fukuyama | Slopes and port town |
| Enjoying islands | Takehara / Onomichi | Boats and island views |
| Walking in nature | North / mountainous areas | Gorges and forests |
Check Same-Day Access with Official Information
Opening hours, fees, closures, reservations, the operation of boats and ropeways, and restrictions on hiking trails and walking paths may change.
Do not rely only on old information in search results; check the official websites of the facilities, local governments, tourism associations, and transport operators before departure and on the day.
Be Considerate of Cultural Facilities and Living Spaces
At memorial facilities and temples and shrines, the basics are to act quietly and follow no-entry signs and photography rules.
In old townscapes, be aware that daily life exists within the tourist area, and avoid loud voices, occupying the road, and entering private property.
Summary: Choose Hiroshima's Sightseeing Spots by the Purpose of Your Trip, from Classics to Hidden Gems
Hiroshima has not only classics like the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine, but also different charms from region to region, such as the townscapes of Onomichi and Tomonoura, Okunoshima and Takehara, and Sandankyo and Taishakukyo.
On a first trip, centering on Hiroshima City and Miyajima and adding the eastern part of the prefecture or the mountainous areas to match your interests and schedule lets you enjoy Hiroshima's diverse scenery without strain.
Check operating conditions and local rules with official information, and enjoy your trip without forgetting consideration for places of prayer, living spaces, and the natural environment.
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