History & heritage
Historic sites in Hiroshima
Hiroshima holds two World Heritage Sites an hour apart: the Atomic Bomb Dome, a memorial to August 6, 1945, and Itsukushima Shrine, whose torii stands in the sea off Miyajima.
21 places · 13 nationally protected
On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb used in war exploded over central Hiroshima. The Peace Memorial Park was built on the district it destroyed, between two rivers, with the museum at one end and the ruined Atomic Bomb Dome across the water. Give the museum time: its exhibits on the victims are hard but essential, and most visitors need about two hours.
The city's older history survives too. Shukkei-en is a lord's garden from 1620, a ten-minute walk from the station, and Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine stands in the grounds of the rebuilt castle. Out in the bay, Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima has stood over the water for centuries, its great torii rising from the sea at high tide.
Good to know
- The tram from Hiroshima station to Genbaku Dome-mae takes about 15 minutes.
- Ferries to Miyajima leave from Miyajimaguchi, and visitors pay a small island entry tax with the ticket.
- Check the tide table before going to Miyajima: high tide for the floating torii, low tide to walk out to it.
Start with these
The ones worth planning a day around.
- Naka Ward, Hiroshima
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
広島平和記念資料館The museum of the bombing and its victims, with their belongings, stories and the science of what happened. Allow about two hours.
- Naka Ward, Hiroshima
Atomic Bomb Dome
原爆ドームThe shell of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, left as it stood after the blast. A UNESCO site since 1996.
- Naka Ward, Hiroshima
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
平和記念公園The park between the rivers, with the cenotaph framing the Dome, the Flame of Peace and the Children's Peace Monument hung with paper cranes.
- Hatsukaichi (Miyajima)
Itsukushima Shrine
厳島神社A shrine built over the water on Miyajima, with its great torii in the sea. At low tide you can walk out to the gate.
- Naka Ward, Hiroshima
Shukkei-en
縮景園A lord's garden from 1620 that packs mountains, valleys and bridges around a pond, a quiet walk from Hiroshima station.
More History & heritage in Hiroshima
Every place shows its Japanese name, so you can search it on a map or show it to a taxi driver.
Takehara City Museum of History and Folklore
竹原市歴史民俗資料館A museum in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Fukuyama
Miyanomae Temple Ruins
宮の前廃寺跡A historic site in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
Hiroshima Prefectural Miyoshi Fudoki no Oka Park
広島県立みよし風土記の丘A park in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
Yokomi temple ruins
横見廃寺跡A historic site in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Fukuyama
Nunakuma Shrine
沼名前神社A Shinto shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Naka Ward, Hiroshima
Rai Sanyo Historic Site Museum
頼山陽史跡資料館A museum in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Fukuyama
Kibitsu Shrine
吉備津神社A Shinto shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Naka Ward, Hiroshima
Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
広島護国神社A Shinto shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Fukuyama
Matsumoto Kofun
松本古墳An ancient burial mound in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Fukuyama
Osako Kofun
大迫古墳An ancient burial mound in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Fukuyama
Kitazuka Kofun
北塚古墳An ancient burial mound in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Fukuyama
Daibo Kofun
大坊古墳An ancient burial mound in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
Show all 16 places
- Naka Ward, Hiroshima
Monument in Memory of the Korean Victims of the A-bomb
韓国人原爆犠牲者慰霊碑A monument in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Naka Ward, Hiroshima
Chugoku Military District Headquarters Ruins
中国軍管区司令部跡A historic site in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Naka Ward, Hiroshima
Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
国立広島原爆死没者追悼平和祈念館A museum in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- Naka Ward, Hiroshima
Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound
原爆供養塔A historic site in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
History & heritage in Hiroshima on the map
Every place on this page. Tap a pin for directions.
Questions
How much time do I need in Hiroshima?
Half a day for the Peace Memorial Park, museum and Dome, and another half day for Miyajima. Many people do both in one long day, but staying a night is easier.
Is it respectful to visit the Peace Park as a tourist?
Yes. The city wants visitors to learn what happened. Be quiet near the cenotaph and the Dome, and ask before photographing people praying.
How do I get to Miyajima from Hiroshima?
Take the JR train or the tram to Miyajimaguchi, then a 10-minute ferry. There are also direct boats from the Peace Park.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
- hpmmuseum.jpHiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, official site (opens in a new tab)
- UNESCO World Heritage CentreHiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) (UNESCO World Heritage Centre) (opens in a new tab)
- UNESCO World Heritage CentreItsukushima Shinto Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage Centre) (opens in a new tab)
- www.itsukushimajinja.jpItsukushima Shrine, official site (opens in a new tab)
- www.miyajima.or.jpMiyajima tourist association (opens in a new tab)
- www.shukkeien.jpShukkei-en Garden, official site (Japanese) (opens in a new tab)