Family Days Out in Hiroshima

Jul 19, 2022

Family Days Out in Hiroshima

Hiroshima is sadly internationally famous for the destruction caused at the end of the Second World War. However, there is more to this city and plenty to do there on a day out. Plenty ranges from educational activities where children can learn about the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 to all sorts of fun activities, including zoos, museums, and parks. Here is a selection of activities to consider if you plan a family day in Hiroshima.

Peace Memorial Park

To some extent, you cannot come to Hiroshima without immersing yourself in the city’s history. The Peace Memorial Park allows people to learn about what happened and pay respects to the tens of thousands of victims. It’s an ideal place to bring children to give them an understanding of the events. The park is around 120,000 square meters of space between two rivers, formerly the political and commercial hub of the city before the war. Within the park, you can see the Atomic Bomb Dome, essentially the skeleton of an exhibition hall destroyed in the bombing. It serves as a stark visual reminder of what happened. There is also the Peace Memorial Museum, where you can learn more about the events of the war alongside individual stories. Most moving is the children’s peace monument dedicated to the children killed in the bombing, which includes a bell that you can ring for peace.

Website: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (in Japanese)

Miyajima Island

Miyajima Island is one of the most popular and beautiful attractions in Hiroshima. The island is just a short 15-minute ferry ride from the central city and provides wonders and entertainment for families looking to spend a day outdoors, marveling at nature. Top attractions include ascending the ropeway to Mount Misen and visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine. You can also spend time spotting many deer on the island and wandering through the deep green forests.

Hiroshima Children’s Museum

This treat for kids is a 5-10 minute walk from the Peace Memorial Park. Opened in 1980, it has a wealth of entertainment for children, including a planetarium, a children’s library, a science area, a giant maze, and a slide, plus a life-size stationary train outside the building for kids to play in. Admission is free except for the planetarium, which costs 510 yen for adults.

Website: Hiroshima Children’s Museum

ASA Zoological Park

Suppose you want a fun day out among a diverse array of creatures, great and small, then head to this zoo. The ASA Zoological Park opened in 1971 and now spreads across nearly 50 hectares of land. The ASA zoo has over 160 species of animals and fish, including lions, pandas, and giraffes. Families’ favorite areas include the baboon mountain, snake area, and nocturnal animal zone. Entry is only around 500 yen for adults and cheaper for children. You can reach the zoo by bus, getting off at the Dobutsu-koen stop.

Website: http://www.asazoo.jp/en/

Hondori Shopping District

If you want to take the kids shopping, head to the Hondori district close to the Peace Memorial Park. This district is one of the largest shopping streets in Japan, stretching nearly 600 meters and with over 100,000 shoppers a day. There are many stores here, including the Taito game center for kids, plus family-friendly restaurants and amenities.

Website: https://www.hondori.or.jp/en/

Dumphasizer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons