What is there to do in Hiroshima, and how many days should you spend there?

Hiroshima is a relatively small city by Japanese standards, with its sights concentrated in the centre. Travellers usually combine a trip to Hiroshima with a day trip to Miyajima Island, so we recommend booking a stay in Hiroshima for at least 3–4 nights.

Book your hotel in Hiroshima in advance

Memorial sites commemorating the atomic bombing

Most tourists visit Hiroshima to commemorate the tragic events marking the end of the Second World War.

On 6 August 1945 at 8.15 am, the Americans dropped an atomic bomb on the city, making Hiroshima the first – and second-to-last – place in the world where a nuclear bomb was used.

The second site was another Japanese city, Nagasaki, three days later.

As a result of the atomic bomb explosion, around 140,000 people died and most of Hiroshima was completely destroyed.

The city’s reconstruction began immediately after the end of the Second World War, and today Hiroshima is a very pleasant place to live in and visit.

At the site most severely affected beneath the hypocentre of the explosion, an extensive memorial complex has been built, where you can visit several monuments:

• The A-Bomb Dome– an exhibition hall which, as the only building in the wider city centre to retain its shape after the blast, has been preserved as a Peace Memorial
• Peace Museum – a fascinating museum detailing the events following the atomic bomb blast
• Peace Memorial Park – a vast park with many memorials

A trip to Miyajima Island

The small island of Miyajima, about an hour’s journey by public transport from the centre of Hiroshima, is one of the most popular destinations in the whole of Japan.

The island is famous for its torii gate standing in the water, but also for its beautiful walks through the mountainous landscape.

Compare flight prices to Hiroshima

We naturally visited Miyajima too and have put together a detailed guide.

• What to see on Miyajima
• How to get to the island
• Accommodation on Miyajima

Nightlife

Although Hiroshima is a relatively small and quiet city by Japanese standards, you’ll still find a neighbourhood here that really comes to life after dark.

The Nagarekawa district is a well-known party district with a large number of ladies’ bars, where, after paying an entrance fee (usually around 8 000 jpy for 60 minutes), you’ll be looked after exclusively by female staff.

You’ll also find plenty of regular bars, restaurants and pubs here – known in Japan as ‘izakaya’.

Bars and pubs here usually close around 4:00.

Sights and history

Hiroshima was completely razed to the ground in 1945 following the explosion of the atomic bomb, which is one reason why you won’t find many historical monuments in the city.

The only significant monument is Hiroshima Castle, dating from 1589, an exact replica of which was successfully built in the 1950s.

Shopping and entertainment

Head to the city centre and the Hondori shopping arcade to enjoy shopping for fashion, jewellery, souvenirs and much more.

In Hondori, you’ll also find a large number of well-known fast-food outlets, cafés and local restaurants.

The multi-storey Taito Station Games arcade is also popular, where you can entertain yourself for several hours.

Each game costs 100 jpy, and you must pay the exact amount in cash.

Cruises on the Honkawa River

Not far from the Peace Memorial, you’ll find a pier for sightseeing boats, which you can take on short cruises around the memorial sites where the atomic bomb was dropped.

The cruises are very short, lasting around 20 minutes, and cost 1 500 jpy.

There is no need to book these short cruises in advance. The first cruises usually depart at 10:00 and the last ones around 15:40.