Hiroshima City One Day Course of Peace and Castle Town

This classic course starts at the A Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park, then takes you to Hiroshima Castle, the Shukkeien garden and the okonomiyaki stalls of Okonomimura at night. Most of the travel is by streetcar and on foot, so it is easy even on a first visit. You can experience prayers for peace, the mood of a castle town and famous local food all in one day.

Course Route

9:00 Start at the A Bomb Dome About fifteen minutes by streetcar from Hiroshima Station, the Genbaku Dome Mae stop is right at the start. View the World Heritage site in the quiet of the morning. 9:20 Walk through Peace Memorial Park Stroll along the Motoyasu River through the park and pause at the Childrens Peace Monument and the cenotaph. 9:50 Visit the Peace Memorial Museum Open from 8:30 between March and November. Reflect on the exhibits and learn the value of peace. Allow about ninety minutes. 11:40 Lunch on Hondori Walk east from the park to the covered Hondori arcade for okonomiyaki or other Seto Inland Sea dishes. 13:00 Hiroshima Castle Walk along the moat to the castle. The reconstructed keep built by Mori Terumoto offers a wide view of the city. 14:30 Rest at Shukkeien Head east to the daimyo garden of Shukkeien. Wander the pond circuit at a relaxed pace and rest with matcha. 16:00 Shopping in Hatchobori Take the streetcar or walk to Hatchobori and enjoy the department stores and shopping streets. 18:00 Dinner at Okonomimura A three minute walk from Hatchobori brings you to Okonomimura, a building full of Hiroshima style okonomiyaki shops, to finish the day in front of a hot iron griddle.

Highlights

The A Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park are symbols of Hiroshima and draw visitors from around the world. Hiroshima Castle offers a fine view from the keep and a sense of the towns history. Shukkeien is beautiful in every season and surprisingly quiet for a city center.

Access and Tips

The streetcar is convenient from Hiroshima Station to each spot, and a one day pass makes hopping on and off easy. The park, castle and garden are also linked on foot, so in good weather it is pleasant to walk and enjoy the city.

A Quick Tip

The museum is relatively empty in the morning. Okonomimura gets crowded from the evening, so an early arrival is safer. There is a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.