20 Parks in Hiroshima worth your time

Miyajima Public Aquarium showcases Seto Inland Sea marine life, including finless porpoises, in a traditional setting.

What it is

• Miyajima Public Aquarium focuses on Seto Inland Sea marine life.
• One of the oldest aquariums in Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Building completely remodeled in 2011 with a traditional facade.

What to see

• Entrance hall with red-and-white color scheme like Itsukushima Shrine.
• Reproduction of Miyajima coastline inside a glass tank.
• Artificial mudflats with high and low tide points.
• Traditional oyster farm with a wooden raft.
• Tanks depicting water cycle from mountains to sea.
• Finless porpoises, sea lions, penguins, and otters.

When to go

• See finless porpoises being fed.
• Attend regular public feeding times for nonnative animals.
• Watch trained sea lion show multiple times a day.

Official site

www.miyajima-aqua.jp

Read more about Miyajima Public Aquarium

A tranquil park in Hiroshima, it memorializes lives lost in the first nuclear attack and reaffirms life.

What it is

• Park memorializing lives lost in the world's first nuclear attack.
• Created in 1949 as a place of remembrance and contemplation.
• Covers over 120,000 square meters, like a green island.

What to see

• A-bomb Dome, located at the north end of the park.
• Peace Memorial Museum, designed by Tange Kenzo.
• Statues dedicated to mobilized students and Korean citizens.
• Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, a concrete structure.
• Cenotaph inspired by an ancient clay figurine (haniwa).

Getting there

• Located mostly on a narrow stretch of land between two rivers.
• Bridge takes visitors over from the east bank of the Motoyasu River.

Official site

www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp

Read more about Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Higashihiroshima Sports Park offers diverse sports facilities, including a stadium and gymnasium, with a history of hosting major events.

What it is

• A sports park in Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Known by its nickname, Aqua Park.
• The gymnasium opened in 1992.
• The track and field stadium opened on June 4, 1995.

What to see

• Track and field stadium with 7,400 capacity.
• Multi-purpose plaza used by a soccer school.
• Tennis courts and a gateball field.
• Skateboard park, opened in 2004.
• Baseball field, completed in spring 2007.
• Futsal courts, opened in 2024.

When to go

• Gymnasium hosted 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games wrestling.
• Used for 1996 Hiroshima National Sports Festival weightlifting.

Read more about Higashihiroshima Sports Park

Sea Park Ōhama is a marine park with a swimming beach, good for a relaxing day.

What it is

• A marine park centered on a resort beach.
• Opened in 2015, formerly Dolphin Beach.
• Located on Yokoshima island in Fukuyama City.
• A paid facility owned by Tsuneishi Holdings.

What to see

• A swimming beach with AA water quality.
• Fish land and a flower garden.
• Restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops.
• Remains of the Iwakuni Army Fuel Depot Yokoshima Branch.

Getting there

• Connected to the mainland by bridges.
• Access by car from Sanyo Expressway Fukuyama-higashi IC.
• Access by car from Sanyo Expressway Fukuyama-nishi IC.

Official site

seapark-ohama.net

Read more about Sea Park Ōhama

Nagasako Park is a cemetery for Imperial Navy sailors, worth visiting for its historical monuments and unique British sailor's tomb.

What it is

• Imperial Navy Cemetery, established 1890.
• Burial site for sailors who died from disease.
• Reopened as Nagasako Park in 1947.
• Maintained by Navy veteran volunteers since 1947.

What to see

• 157 individual graves of sailors.
• Monuments dedicated to specific warships.
• Monuments listing names of fallen soldiers.
• Monument dedicated to battleship Yamato.
• Tombstone of British sailor George Tibbins.
• Flowers decorating tombstones by local students.

When to go

• Annual memorial service on autumnal equinox.

Official site

www.city.kure.lg.jp

Read more about Nagasako Park

Explore diverse plant collections and specialized greenhouses at this large botanical garden.

What it is

• A botanical garden in Hiroshima, Japan.
• Opened on November 3, 1976.
• Cultivates approximately 11,650 varieties of plants.
• Managed by Hiroshima Midori Ikimono Kyokai.

What to see

• A large greenhouse.
• Greenhouses for cacti, tropical water lilies, and begonias.
• An exhibition hall.
• A lawn area.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Closed on Fridays.
• Closed during New Year's holidays.
• Closed on August 6th.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Hiroshima Bus Center.

Official site

www.hiroshima-bot.jp

Read more about Hiroshima Botanical Garden

Senda-byo Park honors a Hiroshima governor and preserves local history through monuments and a resilient statue.

What it is

• An urban park in Hiroshima, Japan.
• Honors Sadataka Senda, a former Hiroshima governor.
• Senda contributed to the construction of Ujina Port.
• Senda-byo Shrine was established in 1925.

What to see

• Bronze statue of Governor Senda, made by Kasan Miyamoto.
• Statue survived damage from the atomic bomb in 1945.
• Monuments showing the history of the Ujina area.
• Monument for the Ujina New Land, built in 1895.
• Haiku monument for Shiki Masaoka, built in 1922.
• Stone monument for Miyuki-matsu, moved here in 1970.

Read more about Senda-byo Park

Saba Castle Mountain Park offers cherry blossoms and historic waterworks structures.

What it is

• A park in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Established on April 1, 2014.
• Site of the former Saba Castle.
• Known for cherry blossom viewing.

What to see

• About 80 Somei Yoshino cherry trees.
• Three registered cultural properties from a water plant.
• The water purification plant was completed in 1925.
• Benches and restrooms are available.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms.

Getting there

• About 2 kilometers southwest of JR Fukuyama Station.

Read more about Saba Shiroyama Park

This park commemorates the Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital and its atomic bomb victims.

What it is

• A memorial park for atomic bomb victims.
• Located within the Japan Red Cross Hiroshima Branch.
• Created by relocating atomic bombing monuments.

What to see

• A window frame from the old Red Cross Hospital.
• A monument of scars from window glass.
• A memorial for atomic bomb victims, built 1959.
• A monument honoring Marcel Junod.
• The 9th Atomic Bomb Picture Monument, built 2005.
• A monument honoring flight attendant Mikie Amano.

When to go

• The park is open at all times.

Official site

www.hiroshima-med.jrc.or.jp

Read more about Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital & Atomic Bomb Survivors Hospital Memorial Park

Kushiyama Park offers cherry blossoms and historical naval remnants with views of Kure Port.

What it is

• A park on a hill overlooking Kure Port.
• One of Kure City's famous cherry blossom spots.
• Contains remains of the former navy.
• Site of the Koshoshrine.

What to see

• Approximately 830 cherry trees.
• Views of Kure's history.
• Monument to the former Kure Naval Arsenal.
• Stone monument of the Naval Technician Training Center.
• Remains of an air defense observation post.
• Remains of a pillbox and air raid shelter.

When to go

• Cherry blossom season.

Read more about Kushiyama Park

Hiroshima Chūō Park is a significant urban park with cultural facilities and modern architecture.

What it is

• An urban park in Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Developed under the Peace Memorial City Construction Law.
• Managed by the Hiroshima City Green and Wildlife Association.
• Selected as one of Japan's 100 Historical Parks.

What to see

• Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, a soccer stadium.
• Hiroshima Gate Park, completed in 2023.
• Hiroshima Museum of Art.
• Hiroshima Central Library.

Getting there

• Near the Atomic Bomb Dome tram stop.
• Near Kencho-mae Station.

Read more about Hiroshima Chūō Park

This park offers a glimpse into naval history and active submarines, with century-old structures and British architectural influences.

What it is

• Public park, formerly a quay for Kure Naval Arsenal.
• Opened to the public in 1985.
• Named after a small island that once existed here.

What to see

• Granite ashlar seawall from 1895.
• Three Red Brick Warehouses from late Meiji era.
• Active-duty submarines (occasionally visible).
• Modern JMSDF destroyers and submarines.
• Old naval crane, formerly used for torpedoes.
• Decommissioned American Civil War artillery repurposed as mooring posts.

Read more about Alley Karasukojima

A forest park near Hiroshima Airport with a Japanese garden and cycling course.

What it is

• A forest park in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Developed around Hiroshima Airport, opened in 1993.
• Hosted the 46th National Tree Planting Festival.

What to see

• International standard cycling course, 12.3 km long.
• Japanese garden called "Sankeien," 6 hectares.
• Planes taking off and landing from the airport.
• Natural grass ground known as "Hongo Ground."
• Yokura Ohashi, Japan's longest wooden cable-stayed bridge.

Address

〒729-0415　広島県三原市本郷町上北方1315 Map

Official site

www.chuo-shinrin-koen.or.jp

Read more about Chūō Shinrin Park

Explore a free botanical garden on Miyajima, home to diverse plant specimens and research.

What it is

• A natural botanical garden operated by Hiroshima University.
• Established in 1964 on Miyajima island.
• Covers an area of 11.5 hectares.
• Admission is free.

What to see

• About 350,000 plant specimens.
• Views of Setonaikai National Park.
• Mount Misen Primeval Forest is behind the garden.
• Itsukushima Shrine is to the northeast.

When to go

• Open daily, except for New Year holidays.

Official site

www.digital-museum.hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Read more about Miyajima Natural Botanical Garden

Moto-Ujina Park: a natural island escape near Hiroshima Port, offering forest walks and coastal views.

What it is

• An urban park in Hiroshima City.
• Located on Ujina Island.
• Most of it is a national park special area.

What to see

• A primeval forest of broadleaf evergreen trees.
• Views of the coast.

When to go

• Summer for swimming.
• Daytime only; nighttime entry is prohibited.

Getting there

• Near Hiroshima Port.
• Ujina Island is 5 km from Peace Memorial Museum.

Read more about Moto-Ujina Park

Senkōji Park offers stunning cherry blossoms, panoramic views, and a romantic atmosphere.

What it is

• A park established in 1894, originally named Kyōrakuen.
• Located from the summit to the hillside of Mt. Senkōji.
• Designated as a 'Lover's Sanctuary'.

What to see

• One of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Night Views from the observatory.
• A Japan Night View Heritage site.
• The Onomichi City Museum of Art is within the park.
• A new observation deck opened in 2022.

Official site

www.city.onomichi.hiroshima.jp

Read more about Senkōji Park

Fukuyama City Central Park is a historic urban green space, revitalized for modern community use.

What it is

• A neighborhood park in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Site of the former Seishikan domain school.
• Site of the former Fukuyama Junior High School.
• Reopened in 2021 using a Park-PFI system.

What to see

• The current park shape, determined by post-war reconstruction.
• Manabi no Yakata Roseコム, opened in 2008.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Fukuyama Station.

Address

〒720-0812 広島県福山市霞町１丁目１０ Map

Read more about Fukuyama City Central Park

Ebayama Park offers panoramic Hiroshima views and a unique cherry tree, perfect for a short visit.

What it is

• A city park in Hiroshima, Japan.
• Centered on Mount Ebayama, once an island.
• Site of the former Hiroshima Weather Station.
• Home to the Hiroshima Ebayama Museum of Meteorology.

What to see

• Panoramic views from the observatory.
• The Hiroshima Ebayama Museum of Meteorology.
• The Hiroshima Ebayamazakura, a unique cherry tree.
• This cherry tree is a designated natural monument.

Read more about Ebayama Park

Shofukujiyama Park offers stunning cherry blossom views overlooking Shikoku mountains.

What it is

• A private park in Higashihiroshima City.
• Known for its cherry blossoms.
• Cherry tree trial planting began in 1934.
• Full-scale park development started in 1949.

What to see

• About 1200 cherry trees.
• Views of Shikoku mountains from the hill.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Kure Line Akitsu Station.
• 20-minute drive from Shimosanaga-Fukumoto IC.

Address

広島県東広島市安芸津町三津 Map

Read more about Shōfukuji Park

Sera Yume Park offers free admission to a large park and a winery in Hiroshima.

What it is

• A general term for Sera Kenmin Park and Sera Winery.
• Opened in April 2006.
• Covers approximately 27 hectares.

What to see

• Sera Kenmin Park has seven zones.
• A footbath facility was completed in 2007.
• A nature observation garden was completed in 2008.
• A roofed rest area was completed in April 2013.
• Sera Winery produces wine from local grapes.

Read more about Sera Yume Park