What to do in Hiroshima Prefecture

Itsukushima Shrine is the crowning monument and namesake of Itsukushima Island (or, as it is popularly known, Miyajima, “shrine island”). A UNESCO world heritage listed site and a national treasure, the Itsukushima Shrine holds great cultural significance for the Shinto religion. Explore the shrine’s sacred buildings and stroll along connecting boardwalks. Enjoy views of the magnificent shrine complex and be awed by the way it appears to float above the waters of the Onoseto Strait.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is a large public park in the heart of Hiroshima dedicated to the remembrance of the victims of the atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. The park is located in the hypocenter area of the bomb, which was almost completely leveled in the blast. Today, the elegantly designed park is a tranquil space dotted with memorial monuments, quiet gardens and symbols of peace.

One of the only buildings left standing in Hiroshima after the devastating impacts of the atomic bomb, the A-Bomb Dome quietly memorializes the tragedy and resilience experienced in the city. The ruins of the stately “Genbaku-Domu” represent the peace efforts of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in which it stands. Visit this genuine relic and UNESCO World Heritage listed site in the heart of Hiroshima to learn about what happened here in 1945 and how the city is moving forward.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is dedicated to documenting and displaying the tragic events of the atomic bombing the city endured in 1945, as well as promoting a message of peace. Opened in 1955, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum aims to explain the atomic bomb’s political, historical and social impact, offering insight into the horror of the event through personal stories, victim’s artifacts and scientific recordings. The museum’s overwhelming message, however, is a plea for international peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons all over the world.

Hiroshima Castle, or Hiroshimajō, is a stunning reconstruction of the original castle keep that was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945. Built true to its original form, which was completed in 1591, in the Azuchi-Momoyama style, Hiroshima Castle now holds an intriguing museum, as well as a stunning lookout over the castle grounds, moat and cityscape. Explore Hiroshima Castle to learn about traditional Japanese feudal architecture and Samurai heritage.