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Planning your first visit to Hiroshima and wondering where to go? If you want to experience as much of the city as possible, this walking tour covers all the key highlights in a single half-day itinerary.
From World Heritage Sites like the Atomic Bomb Dome to tranquil Japanese gardens, this route lets you experience Hiroshima’s past, present, and future through six carefully selected stops.
The best part? You can walk the entire route without any transfers or public transport. It’s designed so you can spend quality time at each stop without worrying about logistics. The walking distance between spots is moderate and comfortable.
We also detail how long to spend at each attraction, what to see, and the ideal schedule. Even if it’s your first time in Hiroshima, this article will help you navigate the city with confidence and purpose.
All the spots on this route are laid out in walkable order, allowing you to enjoy Hiroshima’s rich history, message of peace, cultural heritage, and natural beauty at a relaxed pace.
We’ll guide you through the route in detail later on. First, let’s explore each spot on the tour.
Located on a river island between the Motoyasu and Honkawa Rivers in central Hiroshima, Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the atomic bombing and to pray for lasting world peace.
Within the park are many memorials, including the Cenotaph for A-bomb Victims, the Flame of Peace, and the Children’s Peace Monument adorned with thousands of paper cranes. Walking through the park and reflecting on these symbols brings a calm sense of contemplation.
More than just a sightseeing stop, the park invites quiet introspection the moment you step inside. The serene atmosphere allows emotions beyond words to settle softly into your experience.
| Name | Peace Memorial Park |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Closed | Open year - round |
| Address | Naka - ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Official Website | Peace Memorial Park - Official Hiroshima City Website |
Read more about Peace Memorial Park
Located within Peace Memorial Park, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum conveys the devastating impact of the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945, through a vast collection of exhibits.
Inside the museum, you’ll find personal belongings of victims, photographs, models of the city before and after the bombing, and video testimonies. Each artifact carries the silent voices of those whose lives were lost or changed forever.
The exhibits are emotionally powerful and demand quiet attention. It’s a solemn space for reflection, and we recommend allowing about an hour to fully absorb its impact.
| Name | Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum |
|---|---|
| Hours | [March–July] 7:30 am – 7:00 pm [August] 7:30 am – 8:00 pm [September–November] 7:30 am – 7:00 pm [December–February] 7:30 am – 6:00 pm |
| Closed | December 30–31 3 days in mid - February |
| Address | 1 - 2 Nakajima - cho, Naka - ku, Hiroshima City |
| Official Website | https://hpmmuseum.jp/ |
Read more about Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Near the hypocenter of the explosion stands the Atomic Bomb Dome. Originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, its dome and steel framework were left exposed after the 1945 bombing.
Rather than demolishing it, Hiroshima chose to preserve the ruins as a symbol of peace and a reminder of the horrors of nuclear warfare. In 1996, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can view the Dome from various angles along the riverside promenade. Depending on the time of day, the light changes how the ruins appear—sometimes stark, sometimes quietly haunting.
| Name | Atomic Bomb Dome |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Closed | Open year - round |
| Address | 1 - 10 Otemachi, Naka - ku, Hiroshima City |
| Official Website | Atomic Bomb Dome - Dive! Hiroshima Official Site |
Read more about Atomic Bomb Dome
Right next to Peace Memorial Park, Orizuru Tower is a modern landmark where you can appreciate Hiroshima’s present. From the rooftop observatory, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the city—including the Atomic Bomb Dome and distant mountain ranges.
Inside, you’ll find the “Orizuru Wall,” where visitors can drop folded paper cranes with wishes, a relaxing wooden deck, and a sloped walkway called the “Promenade Path.” The café offers drinks and sweets, making it a great place to unwind.
After a series of emotionally intense stops, this tower offers a much-needed moment of rest—an ideal interlude in your Hiroshima journey.
| Name | Orizuru Tower |
|---|---|
| Hours | Observation deck & café: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Gift shop: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm |
| Closed | Open year - round |
| Address | 1 - 2-1 Otemachi, Naka - ku, Hiroshima City |
| Official Website | https://www.orizurutower.jp/ |
| @orizuru_tower |
Hiroshima Castle was built in 1589 by feudal lord Mori Terumoto, who ruled the Chugoku region. It’s also known as “Carp Castle,” which inspired the name of the Hiroshima Carp baseball team.
The main keep was reconstructed after World War II and now serves as a history museum. Inside, visitors can learn about Hiroshima’s development as a castle town, view historical armor, maps, and more.
The surrounding moats and stone walls add scenic beauty year-round, making it a great spot for a peaceful stroll. Though close to downtown, the castle grounds provide a quiet retreat from the bustle of the city.
On March 29, 2025, a new commercial complex called Hiroshima Castle Sannomaru opened nearby, featuring local cuisine, traditional crafts, and even an archery experience—a fresh blend of culture and entertainment.
| Name | Hiroshima Castle |
|---|---|
| Hours | Main keep: [March–November] 9:00 am – 6:00 pm [December–February] 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Sannomaru: [April–September] 9:00 am – 5:30 pm [October–March] 9:00 am – 4:30 pm |
| Closed | Irregular holidays |
| Address | 21 - 1 Motomachi, Naka - ku, Hiroshima City |
| Official Website | https://hiroshimacastle.jp/ |
| @hiroshima_castle |
Read more about Hiroshima Castle
Last on the route is Shukkeien Garden, a beautiful traditional landscape garden built in the early Edo period by Hiroshima’s feudal lord Asano Nagaakira. The garden still reflects the elegance of daimyō (feudal lord) gardens.
The design features a central pond surrounded by artificial hills, bridges, and a teahouse. As you walk the circular path, the scenery changes before your eyes. The sound of flowing water, the shadows cast by stones, and the carefully maintained foliage all create a calming atmosphere.
This peaceful space offers a moment to reflect at the end of your tour. It’s a quiet, restorative finale to a walk through Hiroshima’s history and culture.
| Name | Shukkeien Garden |
|---|---|
| Hours | [March 16 – September 15] 9:00 am – 6:00 pm [September 16 – March 15] 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Closed | December 29–31 |
| Address | 2 - 11 Kaminobori - cho, Naka - ku, Hiroshima City |
| Official Website | https://shukkeien.jp/ |
| @hiroshima_pref_art_museum |
Read more about Shukkeien Garden
This itinerary begins at Peace Memorial Park and continues entirely on foot.
Since attractions 1 through 4 are very close together, you won’t need to worry about public transport schedules or travel time.
Even the final spot—Shukkeien Garden—is only about a 10-minute walk from Hiroshima Station, so you can easily return on foot after finishing the route.
There are three main ways to reach Peace Memorial Park from Hiroshima Station: streetcar, city bus, or sightseeing loop bus.
Here is a suggested timeline based on realistic visit durations. Starting in the morning is ideal—especially at Peace Memorial Park, where it tends to be quieter early in the day.
| Time | Spot | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Peace Memorial Park | 60 mins | Stroll past various monuments and take time to reflect in silence. |
| 9:00 am | Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum | 60 mins | Exhibits vividly convey the reality of war and invite deep reflection. |
| 10:00 am | Atomic Bomb Dome | 30 mins | A World Heritage Site marking the blast’s hypocenter. Reflect on the cost of peace. |
| 10:30 am | Orizuru Tower | 60 mins | Enjoy the city view from the rooftop. Take a break at the café and browse souvenirs. |
| 11:45 am | Hiroshima Castle | 60 mins | Explore samurai history and try local food or archery at the new Sannomaru zone. |
| 1:00 pm | Shukkeien Garden | 60 mins | Wander the serene landscape and end your trip on a peaceful note. |
| 2:15 pm | Hiroshima Station | From the garden, it’s a 10 - minute walk to the station. Alternatively, head to the downtown area for shopping. |
This walking tour through Hiroshima lets you encounter many facets of the city in just half a day.
At Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome, you’ll reflect on its tragic past. Orizuru Tower offers views of a rebuilt city. Hiroshima Castle takes you back to the age of samurai, and Shukkeien Garden lets you appreciate the timeless beauty of traditional Japanese landscapes.
This route encapsulates Hiroshima’s message of peace and its rich cultural heritage.
After completing the course, consider venturing to the shopping districts of Hatchobori or Hondori. Enjoy local delicacies like okonomiyaki, oysters, and regional sake for a full Hiroshima experience.
As you walk, observe, and reflect, the city will reveal itself to you in new ways. May this itinerary provide not only a meaningful travel memory, but also a deeper understanding of Hiroshima.
