Travel expert
Read about the city
Hiroshima is a Japanese metropolis that entered world history on August 6, 1945, when the world's first atomic bomb used in war detonated 600 meters/2,000 feet above the city center.
Since 1945, Hiroshima has been rebuilt into a modern city with a vibrant city center, a great cultural variety and several sights. The most famous monuments and buildings are connected with the atomic bomb impact, which you still can see remnants of.
Hiroshima also has its temples, museums, shopping and tasty Japanese food. And then the city is beautifully surrounded by a nature that invites to tours on the water and in the hills around the big city.
The most popular excursion destination is the island of Mijayima, which is a wonderful boat or train ride from the city center. Here you can e.g. see one of Japan's most famous landmarks, the torii at Itsukushima Shrine.
Other attractions
- Shukkeien Garden: In 1619, Asano Nagaakira began the construction of this garden, which was located by his villa. It happened the year after he was appointed daimyō in Hiroshima. Today, the garden is a beautiful example of Japanese garden art, and it is centrally located along one of the city's river arms.
- Assumption of Mary Cathedral/昇天 の 聖母 司 教 教 座 聖堂: This is the Assumption of Mary Cathedral, also known as the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace. The church is Catholic, and it was built in the years 1950-1954 as a memorial church for the victims of World War II and for the atomic bomb in 1945.
- Rest House: Rest House is a building close to the atomic bomb's hypocenter in 1945. At that time there was a kimono shop here, while now there is a tourist information. The basement of the building has been preserved as after the bomb, and in the basement there were survivors on August 6, 1945.
- Ground Zero Plate: In central Hiroshima, there is a memorial plaque at the site of the exact hypocenter of the atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. It marks the place where the bomb detonated at an altitude of 600 meters/2,000 feet. The Ground Zero Plate can be seen outside the current Shima Hospital.
- Mitaki-dera Temple/三 瀧 寺: Mitaki-dera is a temple founded in 809 during the so-called Daidō era. The name of the temple means 'the temple of the three waterfalls', which is because there are three waterfalls in the temple grounds. You can also see a pagoda with a Buddha statue and the temple is also known for its beautiful trees. Spring offers cherry blossoms, while the red leaves of autumn also attract many visitors.
- Fudoin Temple/不 動 院: The Fudoin Temple is one of Hiroshima's ancient buildings, which largely survived the atomic bomb in 1945. The temple was located approx. 4 kilometers/2.5 miles north of the bomb's hypocenter and remained relatively intact. The history of the temple is thought to date back to the 8th century. When you get to the temple, you first come to the gate Niomon from 1594. After the gate you arrive at the temple condo, which is the central hall. The hall was built in 1540 and is an example of the Chinese-inspired karayo style. You can also see the temple bell tower from 1433 and the temple garden.
- Hiroshima Museum of Art/美術館 美術館 し ま 美術館: Hiroshima's Museum of Art was established in 1978 and since then, it has exhibited an exciting and varied art collection. The focus is on the 1800s-1900s with emphasis on French works. There is also a collection of Japanese works inspired by Western art. It was Hiroshima Bank that, 30 years after the atomic bomb in 1945, made funds available for the construction and establishment of the collection as a symbol of peace. Today you can enjoy works by i.a. Delacroix, Manet, Monet and van Gogh.
- Ikari Shrine: This place goes back about 700 years in time and it was founded by sailors who usually anchored up at a sandbank. The temple was dedicated to the dragon god Ôwatatsumi, who was the god of the seas, and the name Ikari means 'anchor' in Japanese. The temple was located at the anchorage, but it was moved during the Edo period to its present location. The temple trees survived the atomic bomb in 1945, while the temple itself was rebuilt in 1952.
- Numaji Transportation Museum/マジ交通ミミージジア: At this museum you can see a wide range of models of cars, planes, trains, etc., and here is also a model of a city of the future with its possible transport solutions. Of particular interest is tram no. 654 in the museum's outdoor exhibition. The tram was in operation on August 6, 1945. It was in Eba, located about 3 kilometers/2 miles from the hypocenter. It was put back in service in December 1945 and was running the city streets until 2006.
- Bank of Japan Building: There were not many buildings in central Hiroshima that survived the bombing in 1945, but the Bank of Japan's then seat in the city remained almost intact despite a distance of only about 380 meters/1,250 feet from the hypocenter. The bank building was erected in 1936, and today it stands among exclusively newer constructions.
