Hiroshima Travel Essentials

Facing the calm Seto Inland Sea with the Chugoku mountains in the background, Hiroshima offers many seasonal recreational spots. The average temperature from July to September, the hottest months in Hiroshima, is 26.8°C, while the average temperature from December to February, the coldest, is 6.4°C. It rains relatively little on the Seto Inland Sea side, with many sunny days and generally mild weather.

• The number of rainy days tends to be lower than the average in Japan, except in the rainy season of June and July.
• August is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 28.5°C. If you want to visit the Peace Memorial Park for its commemoration of the atomic bomb victims, plan your visit for the 6th of August, which marks the anniversary of the end of World War II.
• April and May are great months for tourism thanks to the comfortable climate at that time of year. You can also enjoy the autumn leaves in October and November, especially at Miyajima, or taste delicacies of the Seto Inland Sea during the oyster season from late February to early March.

• Plug type: A / B
• Voltage: 100 V
• Currency: Yen (¥)
• International dialing code: +81
• Emergency call number: 110 (police) / 119 (firefighting) / 118 (sea)

There are many choices of accommodations in Hiroshima City, depending on your budget and where you want to be. Here are some options for convenient transportation to the city centre.

• To visit by plane, use Hiroshima Airport. From the airport, you can take a towncar bus (shuttle bus) or automobile to Hiroshima City in about 40 minutes. Rental automobiles are available at the airport.
• If you're traveling by train, Hiroshima Station is the main entrance to the city and connects both Shinkansen and local trains lines. You can get directly to accommodations near the station, but public transportation means you can also quickly access places to stay away from the station.
• From Hiroshima Port, which operates ferries that connect with Ninoshima, Miyajima, Edajima, Kure, and Matsuyama, you can take streetcars or buses to the city centre.

With a variety of transportation available both by land and by sea, Hiroshima gives visitors access to a wide range of sightseeing spots.

• While taking a local train is a good option for exploring the city, a nostalgic ride on one of the many streetcar services is a fun alternate. The City Line has a flat fare of ¥190 for adults and ¥100 for children, while the Miyajima Line has a block fare system. You can also use prepaid transportation cards like Hiroshima's own PASPY, ICOCCA, Suica, and PASMO.
• You could also take a ferry cruise from Hiroshima Port to travel to famous destinations like Miyajima and Kure.
• Taxi cabs and buses are also good options for getting to nearby places. Hiroshima stretches long from east to west, so it’s a good idea to take the bullet train or rent a automobile if you're visiting neighborhoods far from the city centre.

There are plenty of seasonal events held in Hiroshima, so you might want to plan your trip accordingly. Such events are a great way to enjoy unique local experiences outside of sightseeing.

• If you're visiting during Golden Week (a week of national vacations in May), Hiroshima Flower Festival is a must-see event held on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of May. It's a popular event especially for families and is one of the most heavily attended flower festivals in Japan. Main events include the flower parade on 3rd May and the Kinsai YOSAKOI Parade on the 5th.
• If you're here for the summer, don't miss the Miyajima Water Fireworks Festival. The fireworks are lit on a floating boat 400 meters offshore and then thrown into the water, producing a display on the surface of the sea. These beautiful fireworks with their reflections are truly spectacular. For a perfect day out, watch the display after visiting Itsukushima Shrine.
• If you're traveling during the autumn vacations, Saijo Sake Festival will be an unforgettable experience where you can taste and compare different types of local sake (Japanese rice wine). This is a big event held every year from the 1st to 31st of October in Higashihiroshima City, known as the capital of sake. Besides sake tasting and sake candies, you can even enjoy the fireworks at the grand finale.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Located in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is a must-see. It was established to explain the tragedy of war and as a warning to the future so that the same events will not be repeated. In the exhibit, you'll find displays of atomic bomb materials, relics, and testimonies. In 2016, former U.S. President Barack Obama visited the museum.

Peace Memorial Park

As you walk northward through the park while looking at the numerous monuments, you'll find the Atomic Bomb Dome, officially known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is not only a memorial reminder to the horrors of war but also a symbol of reconstruction.

Hiroshima Castle

If you're interested in more ancient history, this is the place for you. Hiroshima Castle was built in 1589 and restored in 1958 after it having been destroyed by the atomic bomb. In the castle tower, located in the center of the surrounding moat, you can enjoy historical exhibits, a panoramic view, and the experience of wearing a yoroi kabuto (a samurai helmet) or costume from that era. It's sure to be an unforgettable visit.

Shukkeien

If you get tired of the crowds, take a leisurely stroll at Shukkeien. This garden is located next to the Hiroshima Prefectural Museum and was originally built as a villa of the feudal lord of Hiroshima. Take a walk through the various landscapes arranged around the central pond and feel the serenity of the garden, pausing at the teahouse for a break.