Places to visit in Hiroshima

Designed by TangeKenzo, a professor of Tokyo University, this flame has never burned out since August 1st, 1964! The pedestal of this monument of peace is designed to replicate two hands pressed together at the wrist, with their palms facing heaven. Today, the Flame of Peace is considered to be a major symbol in the fight against atomic and nuclear weapons.

The most famous landmark in Hiroshima is the Itsukushima Shrine and the A-Bomb Dome of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Apart from these, some notable landmarks in the city include the Peace Bell, built in memoriam of the bombing victims, the Children's Peace Monument and the Cenotaph for A-bomb Victims. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art are also well-known locations in this city.

Hiroshima is a city that loves to celebrate. Every season in the year has special events and festivals organized in the city. In spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the city celebrates the Hiroshima Flower Festival. More than a million people flock to this city during the month of May to celebrate this festival. To celebrate the season of autumn, Hiroshima celebrates the Sake Festival, during which, visitors can visit breweries and sample the traditional drink called sake. Winter too is celebrated on a grand scale in Hiroshima, with the Miyajima Oyster Festival, a gastronomic delight to visitors, and the TomoMachinamiHinamatsuri, also known as the doll festival. During this celebration, hina dolls are placed in homes to pray for the health of young girls.

The hot springs in Hiroshima are some of the biggest natural attractions in the area. These hold special historic significance, since many of them date more than 1000 years old. The Yu-no-yama Hot Spring, discovered roughly 1170 years ago, is a traditional hot spring Hiroshima's territorial lord, Asano. Currently, a multipurpose spring called the KurhausYunoyama can be found at the spot, making use of the natural hot spring. Another notable and historic hot spring is the Yuki Hot Spring, discovered 1500 years ago. This hot spring has water with the highest radium level and has been designated by the National Recreational Hot Spring Resort of Ministry of Welfare.

Hiroshima is no stranger to parks and gardens and the city hosts many spots of greenery topped with the vivid colours of flowers. Many of these gardens bloom during spring, turning the city into a wonderland of flora. The oldest garden in Hiroshima is the Shukkeien, built in the Edo era. The garden was constructed in 620 by Ueda Soko and is home to Sakura trees, also known as cherry blossoms. The National Bihoku Hills Park is worth a visit too. This park is the 11th national park in Japan and includes a kagura hall, a 3 hectare Flower Square, a 4.6 km long Cycling Course and more. Another well-recognized park in Hiroshima is the Rekishi-no-mieru-oka-koen Park, nudging the Shikoku Mountain Range.

Built by Yoshiakira Ashikaga, the second shogun in the Muromachi Period in 1367, the Tenneiji Temple was founded by FumyoKokushi. This temple complex houses the Kaiun Pagoda as well as a bunch of 500 arhats. Weeping Cherry Blossom trees adorn the temple and bloom in April. The Tenneiji temple is particularly beautiful during the month of April, due to the blooming flowers.

The Jinguji Temple is located at Kurihara-cho, south of the city of Hiroshima. Also known as Ajisai-dera (hydrangea's temple), this shrine boasts more than 3000 plants of 80 kinds of hydrangea! Inside the temple complex, the Fuchu Folk Museum exhibits over 10.000 pieces of antiques and memorabilia from Japan’s rich past. The Ajisai festival takes place at the Jinguji temple annually, in the month of June.

Officially known as the KoriyakushiFukumitsuji Temple, this sanctuary has 12 statues that were considered to be an important cultural property. The temple hosts the annual spring festival too. In its campus, stands a tall and proud 1000 year old cypress tree.

Considered to be the most important shrine in Japan, the Itsukushima Shrine is built in the eye-catching and elegant ShindenZukuri architectural style. Built in its current form in the 12th century by KiyomoriTaira, the Itsukushima Shrine was registered as a world heritage site in 1996. The saffron façade of the shrine contrasts against the greenery in its background, making this serene sanctuary a must-visit, particular during seasons when the cherry trees bloom.

There are several places of interest for kids visiting the city of Hiroshima with their folks. Events like baseball games in the Mazda "Zoom Zoom" stadium drive big crowds and is a fun-filled experience. Also, local festivals like the Yokogawa or Flower festival in spring and the firework festivals in Ujina and Miyajima will leave children awestruck and with deep appreciation for Japanese culture. The museums and monuments work as adventure and educational sites for kids. However, some exhibits and tourist attractions in Hiroshima aren’t child-friendly and can cause traumatic experiences, owing to the fact that most of these are heavily based on the World War II and the destructive aftermath of the war.

Yet another national treasure, this bank is located in the centre of the city of Hiroshima. The bank was established in August 1936 and still stays damaged, after the bombing. Located 380m away from the bomb site, the bank building managed to withstand the wrath of the explosion. Today, the site is used to hold events and is considered to be of importance to Japanese culture.

Constructed by Mori Terumoto, this typical flat castle first housed the Fukushima family and later Asano family. The castle’s tower was titled as a National Treasure in 1931. Restoration of the castle was completed in 1989 and the castle is now a museum with exhibits from the Samurai culture. The Hiroshima Castle is accessible from the JR Hiroshima Station and can be visited from 9AM to 6PM.