The city of Hiroshima is one of the most famous places in Japan. The reason for this is that it will always be remembered as one of the locations (along with Nagasaki) where an atomic bomb was dropped during World War II. Nowadays much of the city is dedicated to the remembrance of those who died when the bomb destroyed Hiroshima, and you can spend time here learning about this dark period in the history of this part of Japan.
Getting to Hiroshima:
By plane:
Hiroshima is well connected to a range of airports in Japan. Domestic airlines JAL and ANA both fly to Tokyo Haneda and Sapporo Chitose airports or you can fly with ANA to a number of other airports such as Narita, Sendai, and Okinawa. There are also international flights to Hiroshima from a selection of cities in Asia such as Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, and Taipei.
By train:
There are a number of trains that travel to Hiroshima from around Japan. Trains run from Hiroshima to neighboring Okayama which takes around 40 minutes and tickets cost ¥5,350. You can also get a train between Hiroshima and Osaka which takes around 90 minutes at a cost of ¥9,440 as well as a service between Hiroshima and Tokyo which takes 4 hours and costs ¥17,540.
By bus:
You can also take a bus from the Hiroshima Bus Center to a variety of locations around the country. From the bus center you can travel to cities in Kanto, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Kansai, and you can also take a bus from Hiroshima to Tokyo. This is an overnight service called the New Breeze that leaves at 8 pm and 9 pm and arrives in Tokyo at 8 am the next morning. Tickets cost ¥11,600 for a single fare or ¥21,200 for a return ticket.
Tourist Attractions:
Peace Memorial Park:
The Peace Memorial Park is the spot where the first atomic bomb in the world was dropped on Hiroshima. It is said that up to 140,000 people died including those who suffered from radiation poisoning in the years after the bomb, and the park is now a monument to those who lost their lives. It is an extremely beautiful and serene part of the city and there are a variety of memorials and a museum contained within the park that you can visit to learn more about the effects of the bomb on Hiroshima. The park is also the home of the Peace Flame and the Cenotaph.
Atomic Bomb Dome:
The Atomic Bomb Dome is located in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and is one of the most iconic spots in the city. The Dome was the only place that was not destroyed when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and it was left in its original state in order to act as a reminder of the effect of the bomb on the city. For anyone who wants to see firsthand how Hiroshima was destroyed during the Second World War this is an extremely powerful sight.
Peace Memorial Museum:
The Peace Memorial Museum sits in the Peace Memorial Park and is dedicated to explaining the history of the atomic bomb on the city as well as acting as a memorial to the victims. The museum has a series of galleries that aim to educate visitors on the impact that the bomb had on Hiroshima and there are interesting explanations both in Japanese and English as well as photographs and other historical artifacts.
Shopping and Duty Free:
PARCO:
PARCO is one of the best places to come if you are looking for the latest fashions in Japan as there are some eight floors of clothes to choose from here. The basement of PARCO is known for its beauty products and accessories and you will also find a number of music shops here as well as some sports outlets. There is also a large square here which is a popular spot for locals to spend time and makes a great place to relax out of doors.
SOGO:
SOGO is conveniently located very close to the Peace Park and it is also the home of the Hiroshima Bus Center is you want to move on from the city. There are a huge number of shops here that sell all kinds of apparel and there is a large food court on the top floor. You will also find a Kinokuniya bookshop here with a range of English language books and this is a good choice if you are looking for a wide selection of items under one roof.
SunMall:
SunMall is popular for those looking for typical Japanese teen fashion and spans five floors of apparel. There is also a secondhand shop here if you are looking to pick up some bargains as well as a branch of the famous Japanese fashion store Uniqlo.
Recommended times to visit:
The best time to visit Hiroshima is from October to November as there is less chance of rain at this time and temperatures are pleasant. In July and August the city can experience heavy rain and it can be extremely hot, so if you do visit at this time then plan accordingly and request a hotel room with air conditioning.
In addition to October and November, April and May are excellent times to visit especially if you want to take in the cherry blossom which blooms in early April and is especially pretty if viewed from Hiroshima Castle.
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