5 Photogenic Buildings & Streetscapes in Hiroshima

Hiroshima Prefecture is home to architecturally stunning landmarks scattered throughout the region. From historic castles to buildings with exotic foreign influences, here are five photography-worthy spots that camera enthusiasts won't want to miss.

01 | Hiroshima Castle (Hiroshima City)

[IMPORTANT] Hiroshima Castle's main tower (tenshu) was closed in March 2026 due to safety concerns from concrete deterioration and aging facilities. Entry inside is not possible, but the exterior can still be viewed and photographed. The view of the main tower reflected in the moat's water surface, together with the wooden bridge and the restored structures of Ninomaru, remains intact. The composition of the "inverted castle" using the moat's reflection is popular. The restored buildings of Ninomaru are free to enter; opening hours are 9:00–17:30 from April to September, and 9:00–16:30 from October to March (last entry 30 minutes before closing each period).

Best time: Early spring morning is recommended. The combination of cherry blossoms, moat, and main tower is one of the city's most popular subjects, and the hours when morning mist hangs over the scene create a fantastical atmosphere. Shooting angle: Aiming from the north side with a slightly telephoto lens captures the moat's water reflection beautifully. Access: About 15 minutes on foot from Hiroshima Electric Railway "Kamiyacho-higashi" stop.

02 | Tomonoura (Fukuyama City)

Tomonoura is a retro townscape that preserves the atmosphere of an Edo-period port town. The layered scene of cobblestone lanes, stone lanterns (joyadoto), and white-walled storehouses is filled with a time-slip feeling.

Best time: Dusk is the golden hour. Photos of the joyadoto lantern glowing orange and the sea surface sparkling in the "magic hour" are unmissable. Shooting angle: A single shot with the joyadoto as the main subject and the port and fishing boats in the background is the standard. Use a vertical composition to draw out the nostalgic mood. Note that the surrounding area is an active fishing port and a residential street. Take care not to set up tripods in places that obstruct vehicles or workers, and avoid photographing moored boats or private homes unnecessarily. Access: About 30 minutes by bus from JR "Fukuyama Station."

03 | Onomichi's Slopes and Alleyways (Onomichi City)

Onomichi, famous as a film location, has a one-of-a-kind streetscape of slopes, ancient temples, and cats. The contrast between the blue sea glimpsed at the top of stone steps and the old houses is picture-perfect.

Best time: The morning hours when soft light streams into the alleyways are ideal. In autumn, the combination of foliage and ancient temples is exceptional. Shooting angle: A low angle from the bottom of the slope looking up creates a dramatic shot with depth. If a cat happens to appear in the viewfinder, it adds a sense of narrative. The slopes are steep with uneven steps, so wear comfortable shoes. The far end of alleyways is often private property; take care not to enter without permission. Access: Within walking distance of JR "Onomichi Station."

04 | Former Hiroshima Branch of the Bank of Japan (Hiroshima City)

A substantial Classical-style building that is also an atomic bomb survivor structure. Newly constructed and relocated to its current site in Naka-ku Fukuro-machi in 1936 (Showa 11), it is a reinforced concrete structure clad in stone in classical style. The exterior with its row of columns is full of a European atmosphere and radiates a sense of the extraordinary. Open 10:00–17:00 (basement exhibition room 10:30–16:30, closed Mondays); closed December 29 to January 3.

Best time: Overcast days are actually the best opportunity. The stone material's texture stands out under even, diffused light, producing a shot with a powerful sense of solidity. Shooting angle: Composing from slightly to the side of the front creates depth among the columns for a three-dimensional look. It also pairs beautifully with black-and-white processing. Access: Right from Hiroshima Electric Railway "Fukuro-machi" stop.

05 | Takehara Historic Preservation District (Takehara City)

Takehara, known as the "Little Kyoto of Aki," is a beautiful preservation district with orderly rows of Edo-period white walls, lattice windows, and namako-kabe plaster walls. The townscape's subdued tones are also well-suited to film-photo-style processing.

Best time: Visiting early in the morning when crowds are thin lets you capture fantastical shots with light streaming through the silence. The fresh green of early summer is also superb. Shooting angle: A perspective composition emphasizing the depth of the street is recommended. Close-ups of the lattice windows are also Instagram-worthy. The townhouses in the preservation district are still lived in. Follow proper etiquette: do not linger in places that obstruct foot traffic, do not point your lens at entranceways or interiors, and be mindful of noise in the early morning. Access: About 10 minutes on foot from JR "Takehara Station."

Hiroshima's streets are full of places where every time you raise your lens, you make a new discovery. Grab your camera and head out to find your own unique shot!

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Best season and time of day: Hiroshima Castle is best on a spring morning during the cherry blossom season. Tomonoura is best from dusk into the magic hour, when the stone lantern glows. Onomichi and Takehara are recommended in the morning, when there are fewer people.
• Opening hours and periods: The keep of Hiroshima Castle closed in March 2026 for safety reasons, including deterioration of the concrete and ageing equipment. The interior cannot be visited, but you can still admire the exterior. The reconstructed buildings in the Ninomaru are open 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from April to September and 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from October to March (last entry 30 minutes before closing). The former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (the basement exhibition room 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on Mondays; when Monday is a public holiday it closes the next weekday), and is closed December 29 to January 3. The historic streetscapes of Tomonoura, Onomichi and Takehara are outdoors and can be walked at any time, but the individual facilities within them have their own opening hours.
• Fees: Admission to the reconstructed Ninomaru buildings at Hiroshima Castle is free. The public opening of the former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch is also free (this may differ depending on the event being held). Strolling the streetscapes of Tomonoura, Onomichi and Takehara costs nothing in itself, but the facilities open to the public in each district and attractions such as the Senkoji Ropeway in Onomichi charge separate fees.
• Access: Hiroshima Castle is about 15 minutes on foot from the Kamiyacho-higashi tram stop on the Hiroshima Electric Railway. The former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch is right by the Fukuromachi tram stop. Tomonoura is about 30 minutes by bus from JR Fukuyama Station. Onomichi is within walking distance of JR Onomichi Station, and the preserved streetscape district of Takehara is within walking distance of JR Takehara Station.
• Parking: Please check the official websites and other sources for the latest information on whether parking is available in each area and what it costs. The streets of Tomonoura, Onomichi and Takehara are all narrow, and parking on the street blocks emergency vehicles. Always use the designated car parks.
• Photography rules: The preserved streetscape districts of Tomonoura, Onomichi and Takehara are all residential areas where people still live, and the lanes are part of daily life. Please mind your manners: do not photograph the entrances of private homes, the insides of windows, laundry or residents without permission, do not set up a tripod where it blocks the way, and keep noise down in the early morning. Tomonoura is also a working fishing port, so take care not to get in the way of those working there. Permission from each facility or local authority is required for photography inside buildings, for tripod use, for flying drones and for commercial shoots.
• Safety notes: The slopes and stone steps of Onomichi are steep and the steps are uneven. Wear comfortable walking shoes and take particular care in wet weather. Many alleys lead onto private property, so do not enter without permission. Some sections of the quay at Tomonoura have no railings, so be very careful not to fall in when shooting at night.

Note: Fees and opening hours are subject to change. Always check each facility's official website for the latest information before visiting.

(Sources: Hiroshima Castle official website, Hiroshima City official website "Former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch")