Hiroshima- Skip Crowded Osaka and Come Here!

Of course we’ve all heard of Hiroshima because of the atomic bomb dropped on the city during World War II, but if you think the city must be all doom and gloom, that couldn’t be farther from the truth! In addition to the bomb memorials and museum, the city and prefecture have a lot to offer first-time and veteran tourists alike. Hiroshima is so nice, in fact, that I’d even recommend skipping Osaka entirely for it! Read on to see all that Hiroshima has to offer.

Hiroshima General Vibes (And Why You Should Skip Osaka)

As I mentioned before, Hiroshima is not a depressing city as a whole. In fact, Hiroshima has recovered from the atomic bomb and is now thriving! I‘d say the vibe in Hiroshima is a mix of calls for world peace, feeling kinda chill and laid back, and being full of energy where it counts!

If I were to compare Hiroshima to one of “the big” Japanese cities, I’d say it’s similar to Osaka in some ways, but often better, largely because tourists sleep on its full potential. Osaka is famous for the castle, food, nightlife, and its infamous baseball team. Also near Osaka is Nara with its famous deer. But Hiroshima has all these things and more!

First, Osaka is crowded, and a lot of the restaurants are priced and set up for tourists. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s great if places have things like English menus and English speaking staff, but sometimes you have to wonder about the quality or authenticity of restaurants if there aren’t any locals. One of Osaka’s most famous foods is okonomiyaki (お好み焼き), but did you know that Hiroshima has its own version? I’ll write more down in the “Food” section, but you don’t wanna miss it.

Next, the nightlife in Hiroshima is next level. The izakaya pubs and bars are fantastic, and a lot less touristy than Osaka these days. A walk around downtown Hiroshima at night will let you know, loud and clear, that Hiroshima is where it’s at! There are plenty of Japanese travel blogs about Hiroshima being a hidden nightlife gem, so why not get in on the action? If you’re looking for something a bit swankier, the rooftop bar at Hiroshima Orizuru Tower would do the trick. With a view of the A-Bomb Dome and the rest of the city, it looks really nice (I haven’t been yet).

As for the castle, Hiroshima also has a castle. It is smaller than Osaka Castle, but I’m sure it’s less crowded, and there’s a really nice garden nearby. Plus Hiroshima has the Atomic Bomb Dome, so I’d say that makes up for it the smaller castle.

Next up, Osaka is famous for its underdog Hanshin Tigers baseball team, and while I respect the fandom, I have to say that Hiroshima goes hard with its baseball team support. The Hiroshima Toyo Carps have a ubiquitous logo that anyone in Japan will recognize. The Carps logo mascot, a little guy playing baseball, is super cute, and it’s often drawn up in seasonal or local ways. You’ll find it all over the city! But the Hiroshima Carps have another mascot Slyly, who is actually the cousin of the Philadelphia Phillies Phanatic! (I don’t have a photo that I’ve taken myself, so please look it up. You won’t regret it.)

Finally, Osaka’s neighbor Nara is famous for its “docile” deer, but they’re actually kind of aggressive because people feed them all day. Hiroshima has an island of deer, too, and they’re much more chill! I’ve written more down below in the “Miyajima” section.

Atomic Bomb Dome, Museum, and Park

On August 6, 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. This was a huge moment in history as it was the first of only two atomic bombs ever dropped on populated cities (the second of which was dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki three days later). The destruction, loss of life, and harm to survivors is almost unfathomable.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park might not be an upbeat way to spend a half day, but I really recommend a visit. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (広島平和記念資料館) is very well executed, providing a lot of insight into Hiroshima as a city and its people, and the bomb and its effects on both the infrastructure and people of Hiroshima. A visit to this museum gives you great insight into Japan’s modern history, and will also leave you questioning humanity. Open in the early morning all the way until the evening and almost every day of the year, and only ¥200 ($1.70) for adults, there isn’t much excuse to go to Hiroshima and skip this museum! (See the official website for hours and closed days. Hours vary slightly by month.)

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (平和記念公園) is a sprawling park with several memorials dotted throughout, ending with the Atomic Bomb Dome (原爆ドーム- genbaku dome). In addition to being a regular park where you can feel part of the local life, seeing locals jogging or having a snack, you can continue your historical journey. The memorials are touching, each with different dedications and stories. The A-Bomb Dome is a symbol of Hiroshima, and for good reason- it’s striking. Seeing the structure still standing after 80 years and imagining the horrors and recovery you’ve just learned about at the museum is a moving way to spend some quiet time. The dome is fenced off for preservation, so you can’t enter inside, but there is lots of seating near and around it. It’s even lit up at night, and I make it a point every time I visit Hiroshima to sit by the river and gaze at the dome at night. I’ve even seen birds and cats inside, and seeing life inside really drives everything home for me. I recommend it!

Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden

Hiroshima Castle (広島城) is a 15 minute walk from the A-Bomb Dome. It’s 5 stories, and the outside is a really nice brown wood. Sadly, I went during Covid when it was closed, so I haven’t been inside, but I’d like to enter someday. Hiroshima Castle is not one of the 12 remaining original Japanese castles, but neither is Osaka Castle. The Google Maps reviews say Hiroshima Castle is a faithful reproduction with nice educational displays and less crowds than Osaka Castle.

Just outside of Hiroshima Castle is the newly opened Sannomaru Hiroshima Castle plaza (広島城三の丸, called Sannomaru Hiroshima Castle Ruins on Google Maps). It’s so new, in fact, that I haven’t been there yet! Opened on March 29, 2025, there are a few cafes and restaurants, and there’s a great Japanese archery (kyudo 弓道) studio. Now called Hiroshima Castle Sharaku (広島城射楽), I booked a session at with my parents in 2019 at its old location, and the instructor was so patient and thorough, and we had a lot of fun!

About 10 minutes further is Shukkeien Garden (縮景園), a truly lovely garden! There are many spots that scream “Japanese garden,” such as those little stone bridges, bamboo fences, etc., so I think you’d enjoy it!

Around Hiroshima Prefecture

Hiroshima isn’t just a city, it’s a whole prefecture! Many people who visit Hiroshima do so as a day trip from Osaka via shinkansen train, but I really recommend staying at least one night, and even 2 or 3 nights would be great if you want to include these interesting day trips.

Miyajima

You’ve seen these photos before, you know the ones of a torii gate in the ocean. There are a few spots in Japan with gates like this, and the one in Miyajima is one of the easiest for tourists to access. But there’s more to this island than just a gate, it’s full of interesting spots!

First, about the torii gate- there are a few ways to see it. You can take a boat ride under it, and there are cruises at night to see the light-up; I’m sure that’s exciting! There will likely be a long line to take photos in front of the gate when you go. But I walked around a corner and took slightly off-center photos that I like just as much, with maybe only one other person waiting.

Next up, you may have seen photos and videos of deer interacting with humans in Japan. Most of those photos are taken in Nara (near Osaka), and quite frankly those deer are a bit aggressive. But Miyajima is famous for its deer as well! They were generally friendly, or at least not bothering with people much, so I recommend Miyajima over Nara if you’re interested in deer. Keep in mind that although they aren’t frightened of people, they are still wild animals; please observe posted signs and treat them with respect.

Another major attraction in Miyajima is the Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street (表参道商店街). It’s full of restaurants, street food, cafes, souvenir shops, and even craft beer. You can see the famous momiji-manju cake being made (more in the “Food” section below), and pick up lots of local products and snacks. If it’s too crowded when you’re there and you need a breather, check out the street on the next block over. There are a few restaurants, cafes, and shops, and almost nobody around. I got a beautiful handbag made from recycled kimono at Gallery Miyazato Cafe (ぎゃらりぃ宮郷).

In addition to the main tourist spots, Miyajima is an island full of shrines and hiking. I went on a day trip from Hiroshima City during the Obon summer holidays (a school and national working holiday break), so it was crazy crowded, but I think there are better times to go. It is famous for red autumn maple leaves, which must be beautiful in person (but also crowded). My friend and fellow blogger here Andra (Instagram @imandrainjapan) once told me she stayed overnight in Miyajima and it was the best! She could walk around and see the torii gate and shrine with nobody but locals. So I’d give that a try next time!

You can get to Miyajima from Hiroshima City via ferry from the Atomic Memorial Peace Park. It’s a nice ferry ride, and you get to see different bay and sea scenery! My dad and I rolled up without a reservation and we still got a seat, despite it being the summer holidays. Alternatively, you can take a train to Miyajimaguchi Station and then a shorter ferry ride.

Gas Bunny Island

There’s an island in Hiroshima, Okunoshima (大久野島), that’s full of bunnies! I went to Okunoshima on a day trip from Hiroshima, and it was a really interesting day. The bunnies are everywhere, and you can buy a bag of food for them. They were really cute! There are campgrounds, and Japanese people come here to do beach camping. Even a Japanese friend told me he’d gone there as a kid for camping (small world).

But throughout the island is a really interesting, and dark, piece of history. This island produced and tested poison gas during the war. It’s easy enough to ignore the ruins and museum if that’s not your thing (and the island is indeed marketed as “bunny island,” not “bunny poison gas island”), but if you’re like me and you can’t ignore history, you will find that part of the island interesting, too.

You can get to Okunoshima by riding a local train from Hiroshima City and then taking a ferry, which takes about 2 hours total. The train ride provided interesting views of Japan’s industrial side, as well as nice sea views.

Kure Shipbuilding City

Kure (呉, pronounced “koo-ray”) is a great small city to visit if you like history or ships! Kure is a historical shipbuilding city, and it’s got an amazing history museum and a cool military museum as well. The Kure Maritime Museum (呉市海事歴史科学館), a.k.a. The Yamato Museum (大和ミュージアム), has a scale model of the Battleship Yamato, instrumental in World War II, as well as several real vehicles, weapons, etc. from the time. Sadly, it’s closed for renovation until late March 2026, but in the meantime there are exhibitions happening at a satellite location, so check it out or keep it on your radar for 2026!

Just across the street is the Japan Military Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Kure Museum (海上自衛隊呉史料館), which was really cool! You can learn about naval technology, such as radar and torpedoes, try to climb in a navy ship bunk, and walk inside the only real submarine on display in Japan.

My dad and I had a real blast in Kure, and I want to take my partner there when the museum reopens; I’d really recommend it! You can get to Kure Station in as little as 30 minutes from Hiroshima Station by local train.

Food

As I mentioned above, Hiroshima is famous for its version of okonomiyaki, among other dishes. Traditional (Osaka-style) okonomiyaki is cabbage mixed with flour batter and whatever fillings (meat, fish, anything), but Hiroshima steps it up by adding noodles! Who doesn’t love noodles?! If I could choose Osaka or Hiroshima okonomiyaki, I’d choose Hiroshima’s any day.

Oysters are another food Hiroshima is known for. Whether fried or raw, Hiroshima oysters are some of the best you’ll get in Japan.

Momiji manju (もみじ饅頭) are a Hiroshima sweet specialty. Manju basically means dumpling or stuffed bread, and there are many types of manju in Japan. Momiji means “maple leaf,” and as they were made in Miyajima, which is famous for maple leaves, they’re shaped like a leaf! Nice fluffy breading filled with sweet red bean paste (anko あんこ), there are also many different flavor fillings you can find throughout Miyajima and Hiroshima.

Sake

Did you know that Hiroshima is one of Japan’s top 3 sake producing areas? The town of Saijo (西条) in Higashi-Hiroshima (東広島) is about 50 minutes from Hiroshima Station, and there are several sake breweries and sake bars in town. Some friends have done sake tours there and they really enjoyed it! Even if you can’t make it out to Saijo, you can get pretty good sake easily in Hiroshima City.

Getting to Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a small but major city in Western Japan, which means it’s well connected to other major hubs! A 1h 20m shinkansen ride from Shin-Osaka Station, or a 3h 50m shinkansen ride from Tokyo Station, both without transfers, it’s a relaxing, scenic ride. Alternatively, Hiroshima Station is just one hour by limousine bus from Hiroshima Airport, and a flight might end up being more cost effective than the shinkansen, depending on travel dates and where you’re staying in Tokyo or Osaka. For the truly budget pressed (any fellow cheapskates out there?), I’ve taken highway buses from Osaka to Hiroshima. There are even overnight buses available to maximize your sightseeing time.

Final Thoughts

Wow, I wrote a lot! I almost can’t believe it, but that’s how much I enjoyed Hiroshima. I hope I’ve inspired you to go and explore some known and new sights in this beautiful prefecture! Have fun on your journey to Hiroshima!

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