Hiroshima Days - Be a local

The Hiroshima Castle Chrysanthemum Exhibition is held from late October through early November.  *Admission free There, you can see various types of chrysanthemums, such as large, round flowers that bloom in large numbers of layers, and small chrysanthemums that densely cover the walls. Also, a chrysanthemum flower bed that resembles the cityscape of Hiroshima is built in the area just passed the gate of Hiroshima Castle every year. It is for sure that you will enjoy it! By the way, do you know the reason why chrysanthemum flower is featured here? The reason is that chrysanthemum is one of the traditional festival flowers in Japan. In Japan, we have a custom called "GO(five)-SEKKU -five seasonal festivals-" that came from China around 7th-8th century and had become the most important seasonal rites performed at the Imperial Court. And the festivals were held on the dates that consist of the same odd numerals, since the odd numerals were thought as auspicious. (*Januar...

A big festival called “Hiroshima Flower Festival” is held every year from May 3rd through May 5th in Hiroshima. In Japan, April 29th and May 3rd through 5th are national holidays, and many Japanese people combine the weekends before and after the national holidays together into one long vacation.  It is so-called "Golden week", during which variety of events are held over Japan. Due to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) in 2020, Flower Festival was canceled for the first time since 1977 when this festival started. This festival is completely different from the "Shinto" festival, the one of the Japanese religions. This is a festival where many people including locals enjoy the performances, foods, and drinks provided by the locals. During this festival, the main street called the Peace Boulevard, which across through downtown Hiroshima from east to west, is closed to traffic; instead, there are about 30 performance stages, local product exhibitions, and food/drink s...

When you plan traveling around Hiroshima and think about the transportation, do not forget about MOBIRY , the easiest digital ticket service with the best deals! No cash. No paper ticket. Travel light. It allows you unlimited re-boarding on streetcars, buses, and ferries, etc. by just showing your smartphone display to the conductor during a certain time period that you buy. Here is one example: Let's say you are planning a night stay in Hiroshima city, going to Miyajima the next morning, and climbing Mt.Misen. After enjoying a panoramic ropeway , you return to Hiroshima city. In this case, you take a streetcar from the nearest stop to Hiroden Miyajima-guchi station first. And take Matsudai Ferry (the ferry company that is not the JR one, out of the two ferry operating companies) to Miyajima, ride a panoramic ropeway to the mountainside, and walk the rest to the top of Mt.Misen. Follow the same route in the opposite direction for return. Regular price for round trip: Streetcar...

The must-visit spots in Hiroshima are the Atomic Bomb Dome in the Peace Memorial Park and Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, the most people say. For first-time visitors, here we introduce how to get around; three major ways by using public transportations. 1. No transfers! Go via river and sea. Please refer to the " World Heritage Route " page that we have previously introduced. <Approximate time required> 45 minutes one way. 2. Streetcar and Ferry From the Atomic Bomb Dome, take a Streetcar “Hiroden” Line 2 and get to Hiroden Miyajima-guchi Station. From the port in front of Miyajima-guchi station, take a ferry to Miyajima. <Approximate time required>  50-60 minutes Streetcar + 10 minutes Ferry. Please < click here > to check the passes for special deals you can use for Streetcar and Ferry. 1-day pass which allows hop on and off (1-day of free unlimited re-boarding) is also available. 3. JR Train and Ferry If you want to u...

People have played bow shooting to target game called "Shateki" for fun since Edo Era (1603-1867) in Japan. Here at SHA-RAKU, you can experience Japanese traditional archery "KYUDO" which is also defined as one of the martial arts, using more casual and easy tool. Don't miss this chance to try "KYUDO" as a martial arts or enjoy "Shateki" as the popular culture, so to speak! For further information: https://peraichi.com/landing_pages/view/hiroshima-kyudo-sharaku

This activity must be more than expected! Very clear water, very fresh moss, and the sunlight shining through the leaves of trees are just a part of what you can enjoy through this river trekking! Friendly local staff will be beside you to help you. For further information: https://yuki-pla.net/en-climbing/ Access <To the meeting point, Hiroshima Yuki Experience Centre(next to Yuki Lodge)> Take JR train from Hiroshima station to Itsukaichi station. (approx. 20mins) Catch a HIRODEN Bus #4-1 “Bound for YUKI Onsen” at Itsukaichi Station South Exit and get off at the final stop (takes about 70mins) *The bus is bound for YUKI Onsen, but the last stop is YUKI Lodge Mae. Meeting Point: Hiroshima Yuki Experience Centre

Samurai Unit TAIGI is a samurai sword performance group based in the town around the castle, Hiroshima, and is introducing the Japanese culture to the world. They perform and teach samurai sword fighting, including for actors in period dramas. Here, you can learn from a period drama specialist how to hold and swing a sword as well as how to fight with it. In addition, you can feel like a samurai by putting on kimono and hakama (a traditional male skirt). There are also optional services such as taking photos in costume and/or shooting a “samurai movie” provided, which will definitely be your memorable souvenir of life for sure. On request, they can make a variety of arrangements. For a more impressive experience, choose a location with ambience, such as a local Shinto shrine. Or, make unforgettable travel memories while interacting with locals. Large groups are also welcome. Contact OFFICE TAIGI to arrange your own experience! Adults and children alike can enjoy becoming samurais. L...

Hiroshima city itself is also known as a city of running-train museum. Even at the time right after the bomb was dropped in 1945, the streetcar “HIRODEN” kept running to carry citizens, and for now, it is loved by the local people as our main transportation to and from work, school, and shops. Of course, it is a very convenient vehicle for the travelers, as well. Inner-City Line that runs the eastern area from Nishi-Hiroshima Station allows you to go the Atomic Bomb Dome or Shukkeien Garden or wherever you want for a flat rate fare of 190yen each time. (130yen for only within Hakushima Line) How about exploring Hiroshima, sharing the seats with locals in Hiroshima? Streetcar “HIRODEN” is also useful when you go to Miyajima. Line 2 that departs from Hiroshima Station goes through downtown area and takes you to Miyajima-guchi station which stands just in front of the Ferry Port. What’s more, it is only for 270yen. There are also passes for special deals; “ 1 Day Streetcar ...

Lantern-floating Ceremony ** Following the last year, this event scheduled for Aug.6, 2021 is cancelled. Only the ceremony of memorial lantern is going to be carried from 6PM by those involved in this event’s executive committee. **Please also check the Online Lantern Floating event 2021 . Anyone in the world can join and send a message for peace. It is said that the lantern-floating ceremony had begun when those who lost their relatives and friends on August 6th started to float lanterns made by hand on the river to pray for the departed lives, a few years after the World War II. At the beginning, people used to write the name of the people lost on the paper lantern. But for these years, more of those who come from out-of-Hiroshima write the messages of peace and place it in the river; in other words, the lantern-floating ceremony has meaning of message of peace, as well as praying for the departed souls. Even nowadays, the embers from the dropped atomic bomb is used to lighten ...

Peace Memorial Ceremony **Following the last year, this event is going to be held on a smaller scale for 2021 to prevent spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Only invited people can participate and general public are not allowed this time. **The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony 2021 will be live streamed on August 6 from 6:50 AM to 8:50 AM (JST) Click the link below to watch the live broadcast of the Peace Memorial Ceremony (English) https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/english/175828.html quoted from the City of Hiroshima Every year, the City of Hiroshima holds the Peace Memorial Ceremony to console the souls of those who were lost due to the atomic bombing, as well as pray for the realization of everlasting world peace. This ceremony, which is attended by many citizens, including those who lost family members in hte bombing, is held in front of the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims(Momument for Hiroshima, City of Peace). The Peace Declaration, which is delivered by the Mayor of ...

Ebisu-Kou festival -officially called “Ebisu Taisai” (“Taisai” is a big festival annually held)- is a festival of Ebisu shrine in Hiroshima. It is held from November 18th through 20th every year, and also known that it tells the winter has come. This annual festival has been held for more than 400 years, and even in 1945, only 3 months after the atomic bomb was dropped, people somehow held this festival. Through these three days, the surrounding department stores and shops hold a huge bargain, and large number of people come around. What do you think “Ebisu” is by the way? Try to search “Shichifukujin” images on the internet. You will see many pictures that show seven gods. Out of them, the one holding a fishing rod and a fish, is the Ebisu god. It used to be a god of fishery, but nowadays, it is known as a god of success in business. At this Ebisu-kou festival, you will see a very unique thing in different sizes being sold everywhere. It is actually called “Komazarae”...