Great Places for a Sunset in Hiroshima

Jul 29, 2024

Great Places for a Sunset in Hiroshima

Hiroshima has an array of tall buildings and places of natural beauty from where you can take postcard-perfect snaps of both day and night views to send to family, friends or social media. Nothing quite creates a “wish I was there” moment like a glorious sunset. Whether you want to stand and watch the sun slowly disappear behind the horizon or take a walk as the dark orange sky fades to black, here are some of the best places to head to for a perfect Hiroshima sunset.

Orizuru Tower

At 164 feet tall, Orizuru Tower isn’t the highest building in Hiroshima. However, it is arguably the best for a spectacular sunset view. It’s situated in the heart of the city, looking out on Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome one way and the downtown area with a mountainous backdrop the other. Visiting during “magic hour” – when the sun starts to set and the sky can turn a magnificent orange or indigo – is popular with both tourists and locals. You can travel up to the beautiful wooden observation deck where staff will help you fold a paper crane that you can launch and watch fall to the ground below. There is also a bar, café and exhibition space. The only downside is the cost. Entrance tickets are 2,200 yen.

Website: https://www.orizurutower.jp/en/

Itsukushima Shrine

This is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan and something of a tourist hotspot in Hiroshima. The shrine itself is located on the island of Itsukushima – also known as Miyajima – where you will find the stunning Mount Misen. You can savour some great sunset views across the island but for a real iconic scene, watch the sun disappear behind the shrine’s famous red “floating” torii gate. You can do this by taking a sunset boat cruise along the Seto Inland Sea. As day turns to night, the torii gate becomes illuminated until 11:00 p.m. to create a truly memorable experience.

Website: https://www.itsukushimajinja.jp/en/

Setoda Sunset Beach

The name is a bit of a giveaway here. Located in the coastal city of Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, this beautiful 800-meter-long white sand beach is one of the very best sunset spots during the summer months. The beach offers activities such as kayaking and stand-up paddling (SUP) so you can exert a bit of energy and have fun while the sun shines before relaxing to watch it drop into the Seto Inland Sea in the evening. There are also camping facilities next to the beach if you fancy an overnight stay.

Website: http://www.onomichi-sunset-beach.jp/

Futabayama Peace Pagoda

Something of a hidden gem in Hiroshima, Futabayama Peace Pagoda is more well-known to hikers as it’s the starting point for a network of trails that lead off to local shrines. But if you’re after spectacular views of the city – at sunset or indeed any other time – that are beyond the more obvious ones, this is well worth checking out. It’s up on a hill that’s around 400 feet high and the trek takes about 30-40 minutes from Hiroshima Station, so you have to put a small amount of effort in and it’s not for those with an aversion to walking uphill. Once you reach the summit, you will see the Pagoda, a small tower built in 1966. There are also several benches where you can sit, catch your breath and take in the cityscape.

Address: 1 Ushita Higashi, Higashi Ward, Hiroshima 732-0063

Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons