Attractions in Hiroshima

Hiroshima Castle (Carp Castle) is a faithful 1958 reconstruction of the original 1590s fortress, housing a museum of Hiroshima's pre-war history inside its five-story keep. The surrounding moat and grounds remain beautiful parkland.

The Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome) is the skeletal ruin of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, the only structure left standing near the hypocenter of the August 6, 1945 atomic blast. It stands as the most powerful symbol of nuclear destruction in the world.

The Memorial Cenotaph is the emotional heart of Peace Memorial Park — a saddle-shaped arch designed by Kenzo Tange that shelters a stone chest containing the names of all known atomic bomb victims, now numbering over 330,000.

Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima island is one of Japan's most iconic sights — a vermillion Shinto shrine built over the water, with its famous floating torii gate appearing to hover above the sea at high tide. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

The Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall is a contemplative underground space dedicated to remembering each individual victim of the atomic bombing. Designed by architect Tange Kenzo's disciple, Maruyama Katsuhiro.

The Children's Peace Monument is dedicated to Sadako Sasaki and the thousands of children who died from the atomic bombing and its radiation effects. It has become a global symbol of the innocent victims of war.

Mitaki-dera is a tranquil mountain temple nestled in a cedar and maple forest northwest of central Hiroshima, named after the three waterfalls (mitaki) that cascade through its grounds. A deeply peaceful counterpoint to the city's memorial sites.

Fudo-in is a remarkable Shingon Buddhist temple in eastern Hiroshima that survived the atomic bombing largely intact, making it one of the city's most historically significant structures and a tangible link to pre-war Hiroshima.

Senko-ji is a hillside temple in the picturesque port town of Onomichi, offering sweeping panoramic views over the town's rooftops and the island-dotted Seto Inland Sea beyond.

The Tahoto Pagoda is a striking vermillion two-storied pagoda perched on the hillside above Itsukushima Shrine, offering one of the most photogenic compositions on Miyajima island.

Daisho-in is the most important temple on Miyajima island, a major Shingon Buddhist monastery sprawling across the lower slopes of Mount Misen. Far less crowded than Itsukushima Shrine, it offers a richer spiritual experience.