Famous worldwide for having been the first target of an atomic bomb in the world, the Japanese city ofHiroshima is yet much more than that. This modern and prosperous city offers excellent shopping and restaurants, as well as peaceful gardens, channels, historic castles, and lively nightlife. The Genbaku Dome that was the only building left standing where the atomic bomb was dropped is now the center of Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, a site that attracts visitors from all over the world and promotes world peace.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Japanese city located on the coast of Seto Inland Sea in the western part of Honshu, the biggest island of Japan, Hiroshima is the largest city in the region. Founded in 1589, Hiroshima flourished in the 1600s and has been an important port since the 1880s. Industrialized in the late 1800s, Hiroshima was a major military center during the World War II, and was chosen as the first target of nuclear warfare in the world.
Nuclear heritage. The US forces dropped an atomic bomb in Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945. The explosion killed 80,000 people, and injury and radiation later brought the death toll to over 100,000. Almost 70% of the buildings in Hiroshima were totally destroyed, and the typhoon hitting the city a month later finished the job. However, Hiroshima was rebuilt soon after the war. Today, it is once again an important port and industrial center that not only receives a lot of visitors but has also been chosen one of the best cities in the world to live in.
Busy traffic in Hiroshima city center
Busy traffic in Hiroshima city center
Sights and activities in Hiroshima: historical attractions, museums, shopping & gardens
The World Heritage Site of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Genbaku Dome is the main symbol of the city. As the only structure left standing in the area where the atomic bomb exploded, it has been preserved in the state it was left after the bombing as a symbol of destruction of war and a plea for world peace and ban on nuclear weapons. The Peace Memorial Park around the dome hosts the touching Peace Memorial Museum, a memorial of the bomb victims, the Bell of Peace which you can ring, and several other monuments. You can also find many more interesting museums in Hiroshima, as well as a popular zoo and a botanical garden.
Hiroshima Castle at night
Entertainment & culture. Shopping in Hiroshima is great on the many shopping avenues in the city center. You can also take sightseeing tours, see the canals in the city, or visit some of the many beautiful gardens in and parks in Hiroshima, including the Shukkei-en Japanese Garden, the large Hijiyama-koen Park, or Mount Mitaki that is nice for hiking. Biking in Hiroshima is quite enjoyable, and there are several golf courses around the city. Although the city consists mainly of modern buildings for obvious reasons, it is also home to the rebuilt historical Hiroshima Castle that hosts a museum and a shrine. Hiroshima is a lively cultural city with many popular festivals and a local symphony orchestra.
Hiroshima travel tips and practical information
Hiroshima enjoys a mild climate with four seasons. The winters are generally mild and sunny, whereas the summers are hot and humid. The wettest weather in Hiroshima is experienced during late summer with occasional typhoons in September and October.
The Genbaku Dome Atomic Bomb Memorial in Hiroshima
Traveling to Hiroshima is easy by air, land and sea. There is an international airport with flights to Hiroshimafrom elsewhere in Japan and Asia, as well as regular ferries to Hiroshima from South Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Fast trains and buses to Hiroshima are available from many Japanese cities.
Local transportation in Hiroshima is offered by an electric tram system, as well as buses, a metro line, a modern monorail, and boat taxis that run along the channels. Taxis are also available, and bicycles can be rented. Car rental in Hiroshima is possible, yet practical only for travelling outside the city.
Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan
Visitor services. There is a large number of hotels in Hiroshima, and hostels and small guesthouses can also be found. As the city is famous for its local cuisine, the many Japanese restaurants in Hiroshima are definitely worth trying, but there is also a good range of international cuisines available. Nightlife in Hiroshima is lively with many bars, nightclubs and pubs to choose from. Hiroshima is a much safer city than any large Western cities, with no crime problems. Some English is spoken by many people in Hiroshima, and you can also find English signs throughout the city. Although the city has suffered a lot in the past, people in Hiroshima are friendly and welcoming to all international visitors. However, keep in mind that visiting the Peace Memorial Park can be a quite shocking experience for children.
Information on some fine dining accommodation in Hiroshima.
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