Hiroshima is located on the western part of Japan’s largest island of Honshu, in the Chugoku Region. It is known as the city that had the first atomic bomb dropped over it on the 6th of August, 1945 during the second World War. The effects were devastating, and it took years and years to rebuilt the city again. And it did… coming back more thriving, charming and peaceful as ever. I had the opportunity to visit Hiroshima during the tail-end of the autumn season last year (2019), and got to witness its beauty in the midst of all the red, yellow and orange colors.

I had an insightful two days exploring Hiroshima (you can read my two-day itinerary here); learning about its rise from the ashes, seeing the places the city rebuilt, and eating its delicious food. So here’s sharing with you my top 10 things that you shouldn’t miss on a visit to the amazing Hiroshima.

Mynn’s Top 10 Things to Do and Eat in Hiroshima, Japan
1. See the Atomic Bomb Dome
2. Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
3. Drop by the Hiroshima Castle
4. Admire the Shukkei-en Garden
5. Shop at the Hondori Shotengai Shopping Arcade
6. Eat the Hiroshima Okonomiyaki
7. Enjoy the Hiroshima Oysters
8. Try the Tsukemen Noodles
9. Snack on the Momiji Manju
10. Make a Trip to Miyajima Island

1. See the Atomic Bomb Dome

The Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome was one of the few buildings that was left standing when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Then, it was used as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall; and everyone inside the building died instantly when the building burst into flames as the bomb hit. However, the thick outer walls and the exposed steel dome managed to stand till today; and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, serving as a memorial and a reminder to the atrocities of the bombing. There is no entrance fee.

2. Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum

The 120,000 square meters Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is located in the center of the city, and was built over an open field that was left behind by the 1945 atomic bomb explosion. The beautiful tree-lined park with its spacious lawns has several memorials and monuments placed around its vast grounds, dedicated to the victims of the bombing. It is also home to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The museum documents the history of the city, the World War II atomic bombing that took place, and the aftermath. Visiting the museum can be overwhelming — the pictures, descriptions and stories on exhibit are very real and distressing. Museum entry costs JPY200 (US$1.8/MYR7.5).

3. Drop by the Hiroshima Castle

The Hiroshima Castle is also known as the Carp Castle. The original building was built at the end of the 16th century; but it was destroyed in the atomic bombing in 1945. The 5-storey castle keep that stands now is a replica that was constructed in 1958. It is a museum displaying the history of the castle and Hiroshima; and the highest floor has beautiful views of the castle grounds and the city beyond. The castle grounds is surrounded by a moat, and also has several ruins, a shrine and the Ninomaru building (a long storehouse that exhibits the castle’s reconstruction). Entrance to the keep costs JPY370 (US$3.5/MYR14).

4. Admire the Shukkei-en Garden

The Shukkei-en Garden is located next to the Hiroshima Prefectural Museum. It dates back to the 1620; and during the 1945 atomic bombing, it served as a shelter for the victims despite suffering extensive damages. The garden opened again in 1951. Shukkei-en is connected by a pathway that circles around the pond in the center of the garden; and is really beautiful in autumn when the leaves turn a fiery red, orange and yellow. There are also tea houses and pavilions dotted around the garden for you to stop and admire the garden’s lovely landscape. Entrance cost JPY260 (US$2.5/MYR10).

5. Shop at the Hondori Shotengai Shopping Arcade

I love shopping in Japan, especially at its covered shopping streets that can run for miles and miles. In Hiroshima, the biggest shopping area is called the Hondori Shotengai Shopping Arcade; and it looks exactly like the usual Japanese shopping streets lined by shops, boutiques and restaurants on both sides. The street runs 577 meters from east to west in the city centre. It has a history that dates back to the Edo Period, and even though it was badly damaged during the atomic bombing; the street and arcade was reconstructed again in 1954.

6. Eat the Hiroshima Okonomiyaki

Hiroshima is famous for their Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki; which is a layered Japanese pancake, as oppose to the other Osaka-style okonomiyaki that is mixed in a batter. The Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki has been around since the 1950’s, and one of the best places in the city for a taste of this dish is at the Okonomimura Hiroshima. The building has three floors packed with small okonomiyaki stalls, each serving their own version. I had mine at one called “Suigun” — and I watched the chef working the grill; and making my beautiful messy okonomiyaki with bacon, noodles, cabbage, and topped with an egg. The dish cost JPY1400 (US$13/MYR53), and it was simply delicious!

7. Enjoy the Hiroshima Oysters

Another thing you should definitely try are the Hiroshima oysters. The city supplies over two thirds of all of Japan’s oyster production, so where else better to get it than the source of the country’s oysters! You can find oysters everywhere in the city, but I had mine at a popular restaurant called Ekohiki. The restaurant serves their oysters in many different ways, among other Japanese dishes. We ordered the grilled oysters for JPY600 (US$5.5/MYR22), the deep fried oysters for JPY700 (US$6.5/MYR26), and a special sake steamed oyster cocktail for JPY1300 (US$12/MYR49). It was huge and succulent, and oh-so-juicy!

8. Try the Tsukemen Noodles

Hiroshima has a specialty ramen called the Hiroshima tsukemen; usually served as a dry (and cold) noodle dish with chashu pork, egg, bamboo shoots and vegetables. It comes with a separate bowl of cold, thick and spicy dipping sauce (with chilli, chilli oil and sesame seeds). I had my fill at Bakudanya, a small and cramped restaurant near the Hondori Shopping Street. The restaurant also serves the hot version of the dish called the tsukesoba; and you can choose your spiciness level (1-100). I went with a super low level 3 — and it wasn’t spicy at all! A bowl of tsukemen cost JPY763 (US$7/MYR29).

9. Snack on the Momiji Manju

If you’re looking for the perfect Hiroshima souvenir or snack — the Momiji Manju is it! This small traditional dessert cake comes in the shape of a Japanese maple leaf; and is usually filled with red bean paste, though many other flavors like chocolate, custard, cheese, matcha and coffee are sold too. You can find this manju snack in Hiroshima City, but it is most popular on the nearby island of Miyajima. It is here that you can find many shops (with their own brands), making and selling the manju. I really love the Momiji Manju, and bought lots of boxes to bring home!

10. Make a Trip to Miyajima Island

And while in Hiroshima, do make a trip to the nearby Miyajima Island. The island lies within the Setonaikai National Park and is part of the Hiroshima Prefecture. Miyajima is known as one of the three most beautiful scenic spots in Japan, and especially for its iconic red torii gate that sits in the middle of the sea. Unfortunately the gate was under construction during my visit; but I still got to see the beautiful Buddhist and Shinto shrines on the island, hike along the trails to the top of Mount Misen, and soak in the onsen of one of the many ryokan around town. Miyajima is absolutely breathtaking — and I’m so glad that I decided to stay a night on the island. Read about it here:- Japan’s Miyajima Island and its Famous Shrine.