Things to Do in Hiroshima (広島市), Hiroshima: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Hiroshima (広島市) in Hiroshima Prefecture (Chugoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome (平和記念公園・原爆ドーム), Shukkeien Garden (縮景園), Hiroshima Castle (広島城) and served by Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km) via the regional hub at Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen). Set at 16 m elevation (34.3914°N, 132.4519°E), Hiroshima offers travelers a base for sampling regional Hiroshima-style layered okonomiyaki with yakisoba noodles, Miyajima grilled & fried oysters (kaki), Momiji manju (maple-leaf cakes) cuisine and exploring neighboring Fuchū Town (府中町) (6 km), Kaita (海田町) (9.7 km), Saka (坂町) (10.2 km), Hatsukaichi (廿日市市) (12 km).

Kazumi Matsui has been the city's mayor since April 2011. The Hiroshima metropolitan area is the second largest urban area in the Chugoku Region of Japan, following the Okayama metropolitan area. The Japanese city and the Prefecture of Hiroshima may have been devastated by the atomic bomb , but today, this site of the destruction is one of the top tourist destinations in the entire country. Within Hiroshima Prefecture, Hiroshima (広島市) serves as the prefectural capital of Hiroshima Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Miyajima's floating Itsukushima Shrine (Hatsukaichi), hillside port town of Onomichi, the 70 km Shimanami Kaido island cycling route, and Tomonoura harbor (Fukuyama).

What to See & Do in Hiroshima (広島市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Hiroshima (広島市) from Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km) at 16 m elevation (34.3914°N, 132.4519°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Hiroshima):

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome (平和記念公園・原爆ドーム) — local sightseeing landmark near Hiroshima (広島市).
• Shukkeien Garden (縮景園) — local sightseeing landmark near Hiroshima (広島市).
• Hiroshima Castle (広島城) — local sightseeing landmark near Hiroshima (広島市).
• Mitaki-dera Temple (三瀧寺) — local sightseeing landmark near Hiroshima (広島市).
• Hiroshima Museum of Art — local sightseeing landmark near Hiroshima (広島市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Hiroshima: Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km) (connecting to Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Hiroshima

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Hiroshima (広島市) and Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Hiroshima Prefecture and Chugoku:

• Fuchū Town (府中町) — 6 km from Hiroshima (Hiroshima Prefecture)
• Kaita (海田町) — 9.7 km from Hiroshima (Hiroshima Prefecture)
• Saka (坂町) — 10.2 km from Hiroshima (Hiroshima Prefecture)
• Hatsukaichi (廿日市市) — 12 km from Hiroshima (Hiroshima Prefecture)
• Kumano (熊野町) — 13.6 km from Hiroshima (Hiroshima Prefecture)

Getting to Hiroshima & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Hiroshima (広島市) via Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km): 1h 25m from Shin-Osaka, 1h 38m from Kyoto, or 3h 55m from Tokyo on the Sanyo Shinkansen. From Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km) to reach central Hiroshima (34.3914°N, 132.4519°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Hiroshima (広島市) with neighboring Fuchū Town, Kaita, Saka and wider Chugoku rail corridors. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Hiroshima, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Hiroshima and continuing toward Fuchū Town can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Hiroshima: While Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km) anchors public transit for Hiroshima, picking up a rental car at Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome (平和記念公園・原爆ドーム) and Shukkeien Garden (縮景園) with nearby Fuchū Town (府中町) (6 km), Kaita (海田町) (9.7 km), Saka (坂町) (10.2 km), Hatsukaichi (廿日市市) (12 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Hiroshima (広島市) & Hiroshima

Dining near Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km) and across Hiroshima (広島市) highlights the regional food culture of Hiroshima Prefecture and Chugoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Hiroshima:

• Local specialty & terroir of Hiroshima (広島市): historic cotton and textile weaving, dyeing crafts, and local commerce alongside coastal fishing ports, marine aquaculture, and fresh seafood markets.
• Hiroshima-style layered okonomiyaki with yakisoba noodles — regional specialty enjoyed across Hiroshima (広島市) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Miyajima grilled & fried oysters (kaki) — regional specialty enjoyed across Hiroshima (広島市) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Momiji manju (maple-leaf cakes) — regional specialty enjoyed across Hiroshima (広島市) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Onomichi soy-backfat ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Hiroshima (広島市) and Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Anago-meshi (conger eel over rice) — regional specialty enjoyed across Hiroshima (広島市) and Hiroshima Prefecture.

If you are dining in Hiroshima (広島市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km).

Where to Stay in Hiroshima (広島市)

Visitors staying overnight in Hiroshima (広島市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km), or compare central neighborhoods around Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen) with quieter stays in neighboring Fuchū Town, Kaita, Saka. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Hiroshima & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Hiroshima (広島市, 16 m elevation at 34.3914°N, 132.4519°E): Late March–April for cherry blossoms at Peace Park, Miyajima & Senko-ji (Onomichi); November for Momijidani Park autumn maples on Miyajima; spring/autumn for cycling the Shimanami Kaido.

Wider sightseeing across Hiroshima Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome (平和記念公園・原爆ドーム) in Hiroshima (広島市) includes: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Miyajima's floating Itsukushima Shrine (Hatsukaichi), hillside port town of Onomichi, the 70 km Shimanami Kaido island cycling route, and Tomonoura harbor (Fukuyama).

Practical Travel Tips for Hiroshima (広島市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Hiroshima: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen) or Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km) for local bus schedules to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome (平和記念公園・原爆ドーム) and walking maps of Hiroshima (広島市).
• Cash & ATMs in Hiroshima: Convenience stores and major hotels around Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome (平和記念公園・原爆ドーム) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Hiroshima accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Hiroshima: Around Hiroshima Station (広島駅) (2.3 km) and neighboring Fuchū Town, Kaita, Saka, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.