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Things to Do in Hiroshima: Top Attractions, Costs & Tips (2026)
The best things to do in Hiroshima with real costs. Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Castle, okonomiyaki, and more — complete budget guide.
Hiroshima is one of Japan's most powerful and rewarding destinations. From the deeply moving Peace Memorial Park to the iconic floating torii gate on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima offers unforgettable experiences at surprisingly low prices.
This guide covers all the best things to do in Hiroshima with real costs for every attraction. Whether you're visiting for a day trip or spending a couple of nights, use our Japan Trip Cost Calculator to plan your budget.
Hiroshima at a Glance
| Activity | Cost | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Peace Memorial Park | Free | 1–2 hours |
| Peace Memorial Museum | $1.40 (¥200) | 1.5–2 hours |
| Atomic Bomb Dome | Free | 15–30 min |
| Miyajima Island (ferry + shrine) | $7–13 | Half to full day |
| Shukkeien Garden | $1.75 (¥260) | 45–60 min |
| Hiroshima Castle | $2.50 (¥370) | 45–60 min |
| Hiroshima Okonomiyaki | $6–10 | 30–45 min |
Peace Memorial Park & Museum
Cost: Park is free / Museum ¥200 ($1.40)
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is the heart of the city and one of the most important sites in Japan. Spread along the rivers near the bomb's hypocenter, the park contains dozens of memorials, monuments, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
The museum was renovated in 2019 and is now one of the most impactful museum experiences in the world. At just ¥200 ($1.40) for admission, it's an absolute must-visit. Exhibits include personal belongings, photographs, and first-hand accounts from survivors. Allow at least 1.5–2 hours and expect to be deeply moved.
Don't miss the Children's Peace Monument dedicated to Sadako Sasaki, the Flame of Peace (which will burn until all nuclear weapons are eliminated), and the Memorial Cenotaph with its view framing the Atomic Bomb Dome.
💡 Pro Tip: Visit Early
The museum gets crowded by mid-morning. Arrive when it opens (8:30 AM) to avoid long queues, especially during peak season. Audio guides are available for ¥400 ($2.75).
Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome)
Cost: Free (exterior viewing only)
The Atomic Bomb Dome is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most recognizable symbol of Hiroshima. It's the skeletal remains of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, which was almost directly beneath the bomb's detonation point.
You can't enter the building, but the exterior is hauntingly powerful — especially at night when it's illuminated. It's located at the northern end of Peace Memorial Park and takes just 15–30 minutes to view and photograph.
Miyajima Island Day Trip
Cost: Ferry ¥360 ($2.50) round trip with JR Pass, or ¥400 ($2.75) one-way without
Miyajima (officially Itsukushima) is one of Japan's top three scenic views and an easy half-day or full-day trip from Hiroshima. The island is famous for the "floating" torii gate, friendly wild deer, and excellent street food.
Getting there is easy: take the JR San-yo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi (25 minutes, covered by JR Pass), then hop on the JR Miyajima Ferry (10 minutes, also covered by JR Pass). Without a JR Pass, the train costs ¥420 ($2.90) one-way and the ferry ¥200 ($1.40) one-way.
On the island, stroll the charming Omotesando Shopping Street and try local specialties: grilled oysters (¥200–500 each), momiji manju (maple leaf cakes, ¥100–200), and anago (conger eel) rice bowls (¥1,500–2,000).
🚅 Save Big with the JR Pass
A 7-day JR Pass (¥50,000 / $345) covers your shinkansen to Hiroshima, the Miyajima ferry, and all JR trains. A Tokyo–Hiroshima round trip alone is worth ~$262. Read our complete JR Pass guide to see if it's worth it for your trip.
Itsukushima Shrine
Cost: ¥300 ($2.10)
The iconic Itsukushima Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built over the water, with its famous vermillion torii gate standing in the sea. At high tide the gate appears to float; at low tide you can walk out to it on the sand.
The shrine itself dates back to the 6th century (current structure from 1168) and is a beautiful example of shinden-zukuri architecture. The ¥300 admission gets you into the main shrine buildings and the beautiful corridors extending over the water.
Tip: Check tide times before your visit. High tide is best for photos of the "floating" torii and shrine. Low tide lets you walk directly to the gate — both are worth experiencing.
Shukkeien Garden
Cost: ¥260 ($1.75)
Shukkeien is a beautiful Japanese-style garden originally created in 1620 by a samurai lord. The name means "shrunken scenery garden" — it miniaturizes famous landscapes into a compact strolling garden with ponds, bridges, tea houses, and carefully shaped trees.
It was destroyed by the atomic bomb and painstakingly restored. Today it's a peaceful escape right in the city center, just a 10-minute walk from Hiroshima Station. Allow 45–60 minutes and consider stopping at the tea house for matcha and a sweet (¥500 / $3.45).
Hiroshima Castle
Cost: ¥370 ($2.50)
Hiroshima Castle (also called the "Carp Castle") was originally built in 1589 and destroyed by the atomic bomb. The current reconstruction dates to 1958 and serves as a museum of Hiroshima's history before the war.
The castle is surrounded by a moat and pleasant grounds (free to explore). Inside, exhibits cover samurai culture, Hiroshima's history as a castle town, and the top floor offers panoramic views of the city. It's a 15-minute walk from Peace Memorial Park.
Hiroshima Okonomiyaki
Cost: ¥900–1,500 ($6–10)
You cannot visit Hiroshima without trying Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Unlike the Osaka style where everything is mixed together, Hiroshima-style is built in layers: a thin crepe, mountains of cabbage, pork belly, yakisoba noodles, egg, and a generous drizzle of sweet okonomiyaki sauce.
The best place to try it is Okonomimura (Okonomiyaki Village), a building near Peace Memorial Park with multiple floors of small okonomiyaki restaurants. Each one seats 10–15 people around a teppan grill. Favorites include Nagata-ya (queue-worthy), Hassho, and Micchan (one of the originals).
A basic okonomiyaki runs ¥900–1,200. Add extras like cheese, mochi, or extra noodles for ¥100–300 each. With a drink, budget about ¥1,500 ($10) per person.
💡 Pro Tip: Lunch Over Dinner
Popular spots like Nagata-ya can have 30–60 minute waits at dinner. Go for lunch instead — same food, shorter lines. Okonomimura's upper-floor shops tend to have shorter waits too.
Getting to Hiroshima
From Tokyo (Shinkansen)
The Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen takes about 4 hours from Tokyo Station to Hiroshima Station. A one-way reserved seat costs ~¥19,000 ($131). This is one of the best routes for the JR Pass — a round trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima alone is worth ¥38,000 ($262), making the 7-day pass (¥50,000) an incredible deal.
From Kyoto or Osaka
Hiroshima is about 1.5–2 hours from Kyoto/Shin-Osaka by shinkansen (¥10,000–11,000 one-way). Also covered by the JR Pass. It's easy to add Hiroshima as a day trip from Kyoto or a stop on a multi-city itinerary.
Local Transport in Hiroshima
Hiroshima has a charming streetcar (tram) network. A single ride costs ¥220 ($1.50) and a 1-day tram pass is ¥700 ($4.85). Most attractions are walkable from Peace Memorial Park, but the tram is handy for getting to/from Hiroshima Station.
Hiroshima Cost Summary
Hiroshima is one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Japan. Here's what a typical day costs:
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Peace Memorial Museum | $1.40 | $1.40 |
| Itsukushima Shrine | $2.10 | $2.10 |
| Shukkeien Garden | — | $1.75 |
| Hiroshima Castle | — | $2.50 |
| Miyajima Ferry (with JR Pass) | Free | Free |
| Miyajima Ferry (without JR Pass) | $5.50 | $5.50 |
| Tram (1-day pass) | $4.85 | $4.85 |
| Food (full day) | $20–30 | $40–60 |
| Day Total | $35–45 | $55–80 |
Plan Your Hiroshima Trip
Hiroshima fits perfectly into a 7-day Japan itinerary — most travelers combine it with Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. A typical route is Tokyo → Kyoto → Hiroshima (day trip) → Osaka, all covered by a single 7-day JR Pass.
Use our free Japan Trip Cost Calculator to build a personalized budget that includes Hiroshima. For more money-saving strategies, check our 15 budget tips for Japan, and read the complete JR Pass guide to see how much you'll save on transport.