Hiroshima is well known for the tragedy that occurred during World War Two when the USA used an atomic bomb to destroy the city. Years later both the USA and Japan recovered, and Hiroshima used the horrific event to send a positive message to the world about peace.

In Hiroshima there are two world heritage sites, which are very popular tourist attractions among both Japanese and foreign visitors. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial commonly called the Genbaku Dōmu (lit. Atomic Bomb Dome) and the Itsukushima Shrine are both very important attractions in Japan.

Starting with the Genbaku Dōmu and Hiroshima Palace there are many wonderful places to visit within Hiroshima.

■Hiroshima city
After arriving at Hiroshima station, the Genbaku Dōmu and Peace Memorial Park are easy to access by street car.

Street car

Street cars are very uncommon in Japanese cities these days, so it is important to not miss out on the chance to ride one while visiting Hiroshima. By street car it takes only about 15 minutes to get to the Genbaku Dōmu.

Genbaku Dōmu

After arriving at the station you can immediately see the Genbaku Dōmu as you enter the Peace Park.

The Genbaku Dōmu looks as if it will fall apart any second. The blast of the atomic bomb took place almost directly above the building that the Dome used to be a part of, and while most of the building was ruined, the Dome remained intact. The power of the atomic bomb is truly terrifying and amazing.

Around the Genbaku Dōmu there are many elderly people volunteering as story tellers. It is always interesting to listen to their stories, but if you don’t speak Japanese you might want to take a friend with you who does so you can fully understand their tales.

A memorial plaque

The Children’s Peace Monument is located near the Genbaku Dōmu . If you cross the bridge located in front of the Dome, you can see a tourist information building, and easily locate the Peace Monument from there.

Children’s Peace Memorial

Origami cranes

The Children’s Peace Monument is famous for housing The One Thousand Origami Cranes which surround the statue. The roof protects the mass number of cranes from the rain and wind. It is popular for students on field trips to give handmade origami cranes to the monument.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Peace Flame

The Memorial Cenotaph

Two monuments connect the Genbaku Dōmu to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The Peace Flame has stayed lit, burning non-stop since it was first lit in 1964, and it will stay lit until all nuclear bombs on Earth have been destroyed.

The Memorial Cenotaph is an arch-like monument which covers a list naming all of the victims of the bombing.

The landscape of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was made by the representative architect of Japan, Kenzo Tange.

The monument for the victims was also made by Kenzo Tange. Originally, it had been decided that the the work of Isaam Noguchi would be used, which was recommended by Tange. But due to Isaam Noguchi being a Japanese American, many people were opposed to this, and Tange integrated Isaam Noguchi’s idea into his.

Close up of the Peace Flame

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is a sobering place which shows the disastrous affects that the bombing had on not only Hiroshima, but Japan and the world.

In the East Wing, in the front half of the observation road, the historical scenery of Hiroshima’s city scape is on display. You can see what the city looked like both before and after the bombing. You can also find information on the nuclear bombing, which tells about what happened in Hiroshima when the bomb hit on August 6th, 1945.

The West Wing shows items which were discovered after the bombing. The damage done can be seen while looking at student lunch boxes and uniforms which were burnt black, melted nails, and watches that were stopped at the exact moment of the bomb. All of this shows the real devastation that occurred after the atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima.

A stopped watch

A map of Hiroshima

Photos of the blast

Kamiyacho, Hiroshima

Kamiyacho is a busy area located within Hiroshima. After visiting the Genbaku Dōmu and Peace Memorial Museum, it is refreshing to go out into the city for a change of atmosphere. It is also a great place to go for Hiroshima style okonomiyaki (lit. a style of pancake with vegetables and meat cooked inside)
Hiroshima style okonomiyaki is very different from the more common Kansai and Kanto style okonomiyaki. The biggest difference is that there are soba noodles inside!

Okonomiyaki restaurants

Hiroshima has many okonomiyaki restaurants, here and there, but the best place to go is “Okomoni Mura”, which is located in the central part of the city. “Okonomi Mura” is an okonomiyaki theme park which is located inside of a building that boasts 20 different okonomiyaki shops.

In each restaurant there are chairs surrounding a big metal cooking pan. You can sit and watch the staff’s performance while they making the okonomiyaki.

Cooking okonomiyaki

Finished okonomiyaki

When cooking and flipping the okonomiyaki, the staff performs tricks, which is very fun to watch.