Things to do in Hiroshima
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Peace Memorial Park
From the Atomic Bomb Dome, cross over into Peace Memorial Park , which is dotted with memorials, including the cenotaph (原爆死没者慰霊碑), which contains the names of all the known victims of the bomb. The cenotaph frames the Flame of Peace (平和の灯), which will only be extinguished once the last nuclear weapon on earth has been destroyed, and the Atomic Bomb Dome across the river.
Just north of the road through the park is the Children's Peace Monument (原爆の子の像), inspired by Sadako Sasaki. When Sadako developed leukaemia at 11 years of age in 1955, she decided to fold 1000 paper cranes. In Japan, the crane is the symbol of longevity and happiness, and she was…
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Children's Peace Monument
Just north of the road crossing through the Peace Memorial Park is, for many, the most poignant memorial in the park - the Children's Peace Monument, inspired by leukaemia victim Sadako Sasaki. When Sadako developed leukaemia at 10 years of age she decided to fold 1000 paper cranes - an ancient Japanese custom through which it is believed that a person's wishes will come true.
The crane is the symbol of longevity and happiness in Japan and she was convinced that if she could achieve that target she would recover. She died before reaching her goal, but her classmates folded the rest. The story inspired a nationwide bout of paper-crane folding, which continues to this day.
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Atomic Bomb Dome
Perhaps the starkest reminder of the destruction visited upon Hiroshima is the Atomic Bomb Dome , across the river from the Peace Memorial Park. Built by a Czech architect in 1915, the building served as the Industrial Promotion Hall until the bomb exploded almost directly above it. Everyone inside was killed, but the building itself was one of very few left standing anywhere near the epicentre. Despite local misgivings, a decision was taken after the war to preserve the shell of the building as a memorial. Declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in December 1996, the propped-up ruins are floodlit at night, and have become a grim symbol of the city's tragic past.
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Hiroshima-jō
Also known as Carp Castle, Hiroshima-jō was originally constructed in 1589, but much of it was dismantled following the Meiji Restoration, leaving only the donjon, main gates and turrets. The remainder was totally destroyed by the A-bomb and rebuilt in modern reinforced concrete in 1958.
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Kuro-sawa
This chic izakaya (Japanese-style pub) is hewn from bare concrete and attractively low-lit, a fine setting to savour goodies like charcoal-grilled pork with ginger sauce. Look for the MOS Burger outlet on the ground floor.
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Zucchini
Very lively Spanish-style tapas restaurant serving all the usual ham, cheese and fish goodies and paellas from ¥1400. It's a two-storey glass-fronted affair on the corner – you can't miss it.
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Okonomi-mura
Twenty-five stalls spread over three floors, all of them serving the same thing – this Hiroshima institution is a good place to get acquainted with the local speciality of okonomiyaki, and chat with the cooks over a hot griddle. It's close to the Parco department store; look for the sign jutting out into the street.
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Hassei
The walls of this popular okonomiyaki joint are covered with the signatures of celebrity visitors. Unless you're a sumō wrestler, you'll probably find a half-order more than enough to be getting on with at lunchtime. Look for the wooden sign next to the doorway.
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Cha Cha Ni Moon
Sophisticated minimalist chic prevails in this softly lit old house. There's a bar downstairs and two floors of intimate semiprivate dining rooms upstairs. The beautifully presented dishes here are based on traditional Kyoto cuisine. Look for the small orange sign out the front.
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Global Lounge
Formerly known as Book Nook, Global Lounge has second-hand Western books, mostly trade paperbacks, a notice board, and internet access (with special rates if you become a member). It also sells beers, wine and cocktails, and its English-speaking staff are happy to provide tourist information. It's in a language school called Outsider behind Iyo Bank and Yamaha music store. Look for the 2nd-floor sign.
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Bakudanya
Come to this simple street-corner stall to try another famous Hiroshima dish: tsukemen, a cold rāmen-like dish in which noodles and soup come separately. This is the original outlet; the chain has now spread across the country. A nami (medium-sized) serving of tsukemen is ¥750. Look for the green awning.
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Tōshō
A traditional wooden building in a beautiful garden setting, Tōshō specialises in homemade tofu (the menu has some pictures), served in a surprising variety of tasty forms. It's a short walk from Danbara 1 chōme (段原一丁目) tram stop, left uphill after the Hijiyama shrine.
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Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima Island Tour from Hiroshima
by Viator
Explore World Heritage sites in Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day! Miyajima is famous for its Itsukushima Jinja Shrine. Its red torii gate appears to be standin…
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Shukkei-en
Modelled after Xi Hu (West Lake) in Hangzhou, China, Shukkei-en was built in 1620 for daimyō (domain lord) Asano Nagaakira. The garden's name means 'contracted view', and it attempts to re-create grand vistas in miniature. The garden was totally destroyed by the bomb, though many of the trees and plants survived to blossom again the following year, and the park and its buildings have long since been restored to their original splendour.
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Hiroshima Carp game
A love of baseball is not a prerequisite for having a great time at a Hiroshima Carp game. It's just as much fun watching the rowdy, organised enthusiasm of the crowd, especially when the Tokyo Giants come to town. The stadium is just north of the Peace Park, and outfield tickets start at ¥1500.
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Mazda Museum
Popular for the chance to see the 7km assembly line – the longest in the world. See the website for tour times; reservations are required. The museum is a short walk from JR Mukainada (向洋) Station, two stops from Hiroshima on the San-yō line.
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Koba
Koba is a very chill place to enjoy a drink, pizza, pasta or curry and an eclectic range of music; friendly manager Bom is a musician and hosts live acts now and again as well as works by local artists. It's in a concrete building with a pool of water by the entrance, just behind Stussy.
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Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art
In Hijiyama-kōen, this gallery has frequently changing exhibits by modern Japanese and international artists.
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J-Café
Homely and comfy are the watchwords at this breezy café-bar on Heiwa-Ōdōri. Big red couches lend a living-room feel, and graffiti art adorns the walls. Scrumptious waffles, crepes and panini are on offer. The sign outside has a stylized 'j' like an ampersand.
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Ristorante Mario
A cosy ivy-clad place serving honest Italian food with good service, and a romantic atmosphere in the evenings. Weekday lunch courses start at ¥1180. Try to reserve on weekends.
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Lotus
Two floors above Opium in the Namiki Curl Building is Lotus, a stylish, Zenlike space where you can take off your shoes and relax on the raised floor amid cushions and low tables or sip cocktails at the bar. There's a little DJ booth here too playing great tunes.
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Peace Pot
This alfresco soup spot is one of four new eateries along the Kyōbashi river by the Inari-ōhashi bridge. The tasty pork curry soup is like a meal; bread or rice sets are available. Oysters and beef are on the menu in the neighbouring restaurants.
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Spicy Bar Lal's
This colourful Indian and Nepalese restaurant serves filling lunch specials and plain naan the size of a small African country. A range of imported beers and veg options make this a nice change, if you ever get tired of okonomiyaki.
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Bar Alcoholiday
You can hear the karaoke wails as you approach this place, in a building crammed full of bars. Chie will be happy to serve you, particularly between 21:00 and 22:00, when drinks are ¥100 off. Look for the bright red Casa Blanca sign outside.
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Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum
Next to the Shukkei-en garden is the splendid Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum, featuring Salvador Dali's Dream of Venus and the artwork of Hirayama Ikuo, who was in the city during the bombing. Enter the garden through the museum.
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