10 Best Places in Hiroshima for Family Trips

Miroku no Sato is a theme park combined with an amusement park spread over the hills of Fukuyama City. Beautiful winter illumination events and other spectacles are also held here.

The amusement park has more than 20 attractions, including a giant Ferris Wheel and thrill rides. In the Itsuka Kita Michi area, a primary school and post office from the 1950s have actually been relocated here to recreate the townscape of that time. You’ll also find many dinosaurs in the Dinosaur Park area. And watch out, because there’s a 13-metre-long tyrannosaurus ready to pounce! Opening days and hours vary depending on the season, so it’s best to check before visiting.

The Kure Maritime Museum (also known as Yamato Museum) is a museum that tells the history of Kure, which developed as the town with Japan’s largest naval arsenal, shipbuilding and steelmaking technologies, and its role in wartime. A huge one-tenth scale model of the battleship Yamato, built in Kure, is on display here.

In addition to an exhibition room, which introduces the principles of science and technology, focusing on ships, in easy-to-understand manner, the Large Objects Exhibition Room displays valuable authentic materials from a Navy Type Zero carrier fighter. At this museum you can learn about the history of Kure, naval technology, as well as the importance of peace. There’s also an observation terrace where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kure Port.

Round 1 Hiroshima is the Hiroshima branch of Round One, which operates bowling alleys and other amusement facilities. The bowling alley here is spacious, with 52 lanes making it one of the largest in the country.

Darts, pool, and table tennis areas are designed for both advanced players and beginners to enjoy. The karaoke facilities are ultra-modern and the amusement area has plenty of family-friendly games. If you get hungry, there’s a food court too. There are some age limits on entry time, so be sure to check in advance if you’re bringing children.

The Children's Peace Monument is a memorial monument in Hiroshima City, where the first atomic bomb in human history was dropped. It was built with donations from all over the country after the death of Sadako Sasaki, who was 2 years old when the bomb was dropped and died of leukaemia when she was 12.

Standing on the base is a bronze statue of a girl holding a golden crane above her head. At the hospital where Sadako was admitted, many other patients in addition to Sadako kept folding paper cranes, believing that they would feel better if they folded 1,000 cranes. This story spread around the world, and origami cranes are offered from all over Japan and the world even today. This place will make you think deeply about the preciousness of peace.

5-Days Children’s Museum (formerly known as Hiroshima Children’s Museum), a science museum for children, is located in Hiroshima Central Park and designed for children to experience the principles of nature and science in a fun way with hands-on exhibits. There are also science shows where children can watch all kinds of science-related experiments.

Crafts workshops are also available for little children. On the top floor, you’ll find a planetarium where you can look at the starry sky in all 4 seasons and listen to explanations about various astronomical phenomena.

Bayside Beach Saka in Saka Town, Aki District, is the closest swimming beach from Hiroshima City. This artificial sandy beach extends about 1,200 metres along National Route 31, which connects Hiroshima and Kure.

The swimming period is from July to August. Outdoor showers and changing rooms are available, and beginner-friendly sporting events including beach volleyball and beach football are also organised. It’s open at night outside the swimming season, and many people come to enjoy the sunset, night views, and fishing.

Hiroshima Toyopet Mobility Park (formerly known as Oshiba Park Traffic Land) in Oshiba Park in Hiroshima City has a recreation of actual road conditions including traffic lights, signs, overpasses, and level crossings. It’s a park where adults and children can learn the rules of the road together while karting.

In Oshiba Park, you’ll find a lawn area and playground equipment, and many families bring packed lunches and spend the whole day here.

Chupea Park is a theme park with a view of Miyajima Island, with Itsukushima Shrine on the opposite bank. This leisure facility is run by Hiroshima-based newspaper company Chugoku Shimbun.

Chupea Athletic SOLAE is an area where families can enjoy climbing activities. Chupea Pool also opens in summer, and there’s a SNAG Golf course too. The park also shows how newspapers are printed at the on-site printing plant of the Chugoku Shimbun.

The Miyajima Ropeway is found on Hiroshima’s Miyajima Island, which is regarded as one of the Three Great Views of Japan. You can take this ropeway up Mount Misen, which is the towering backdrop to Itsukushima Shrine.

From the Shishiiwa Observatory (elevation: 433 metres) in front of Shishiiwa Station, the last stop of the ropeway, you can enjoy spectacular views of Hiroshima Bay surrounding Miyajima Island. It’s a 30-minute walk from the end of the ropeway to the top of Mount Misen (elevation: 535 metres). If you’re going to walk, make sure you wear shoes that are suitable for mountain paths.

Kokoro Lakeside Park is a family-friendly park located in the north-west of Hiroshima City, between the artificial lake of Kajike Dam and a new residential area. Nature paths and playground equipment for children are well-maintained.

The park is divided into areas such as Picnic Square, Ikoi Square, Wanpaku Square, Playground Square, and Multi-Purpose Square. There’s also a large lawn area that’s great for picnics. Alternatively, you can take a walk along the promenade while enjoying views of the lake. Other attractions include the Seifu Plum Park, Shidare-Zakura Street, and Red & White Azalea Area, where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful flowers in springtime.