The Atlas Obscura Guide To Hiroshima

5 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Hiroshima, Japan

Updated May 9, 2025

Unusual Attractions in Hiroshima

The hypocenter and surrounding devastation immediately after the detonation of the bomb

Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima's Hypocenter

A plaque marks the site directly below the mid-air detonation of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.

Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima Peace Memorial

Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

Hiroshima, Japan

Human Shadow Etched in Stone

An eerie reminder to the horrors of World War II.

Hiroshima, Japan

Orizuru Wall

This glass wall is gradually filling up with paper cranes, in honor of Hiroshima’s past and dedication to its future.

Small statues of Buddha line the path to the top of the mountain.

Hiroshima, Japan

Mitaki-dera

A mountaintop Buddhist temple with panoramic views of Hiroshima.

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Decorative brushes at the Kumano Brush Festival.

Kumano-chō, Japan

Fudenosato Kobo Brush Museum

This little town supplies Japan with most of its calligraphy brushes, still made by hand from animal fur.

7 miles from Hiroshima

Hatsukaichi, Japan

World's Largest Rice Scoop

This enormous "shamoji" means more to the people of Miyajima than just a way getting rice onto a plate.

10 miles from Hiroshima

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Atom Bombs 3

World War Ii 3

Disaster Areas 2

Military 2

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Recent Hiroshima Activity

vesnaaleksic

wants to go to Mitaki-dera

1 day ago
vesnaaleksic

wants to go to Human Shadow Etched in Stone

1 day ago
kfjoey

has been to Hiroshima Peace Memorial

1 day ago
tallan

has been to Hiroshima Peace Memorial

about 15 hours ago
tallan

has been to Hiroshima's Hypocenter

about 15 hours ago

Stories About Hiroshima

Specimens in the “wet archive” were known primarily by number.

The Saga of Midori Naka

How and why the harvested body parts of atomic bomb victims spent decades abroad before being returned to Hiroshima.

by Colin Dickey

September 24, 2020

The Sake Master Reviving a Long-Forgotten Local Rice

Hiroshima's heirloom hattanso lay dormant for a century.

by Reina Gattuso

March 3, 2020

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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Hiroshima

5 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Hiroshima, Japan

Updated May 9, 2025

Unusual Attractions in Hiroshima

Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima's Hypocenter

Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima Peace Memorial

Hiroshima, Japan

Human Shadow Etched in Stone

Hiroshima, Japan

Orizuru Wall

Hiroshima, Japan

Mitaki-dera

Kumano-chō, Japan

Fudenosato Kobo Brush Museum

Hatsukaichi, Japan

World's Largest Rice Scoop

Plan Your Trip

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Explore a different side of Japan.

Explore Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Hiroshima Activity

Stories About Hiroshima

The Saga of Midori Naka

The Sake Master Reviving a Long-Forgotten Local Rice

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.