During our last trip to mainland Japan back in June 2018, we visited 7 cities including Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Himeji, Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Fukuoka. On our second day in Hiroshima, we visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum first thing in the morning. Afterward, we headed over to the Hiroshima Castle and the Gokoku Shinto Shrine next door. It started pouring but we still made the best of our day. We had lunch at Cocos Curry (the perfect rainy day meal) and ended the day by eating a delicious Italian meal!
Hiroshima developed as a castle town, as in the castle was both the physical and economic center of the city. The castle was built in 1589 includes a shrine, ruins, some reconstructed buildings and it’s surrounded by a moat. It was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945, but the city rebuilt itself quickly and 13 years later the reconstruction of the castle was back up. The castle now features a museum and a great view of the city!
^^ look at those hilarious crying baby photos!! Not sure what those were about… but too funny ^^
^^ loved taking the different trams around Hiroshima City ^^
Hiroshima Castle + Gokoku Shrine
21-1 Motomachi, Naka Ward,
Hiroshima, 730-0011, Japan
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (March to November)
9:00 to 17:00 (December to February)
9:00 to 19:00 (during Golden Week and Obon holidays)
Admission: ¥370
Polipo
20-5 Higashihakushimacho, Naka Ward,
Hiroshima, 730-0004, Japan
Lunch: 11 AM – 2 PM
Dinner: 6 PM – 10 PM
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See more from our trip: Dotonbori Street | Kiyomizudera Temple | Exploring Kobe + Cafe Freundlieb | Nunobiki Herb Garden | Himeji Castle | Kobe Chinatown | Ikuta Shrine | Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park | Miyajima Pt. 1 | Miyajima Pt. 2 | Fukuoka Castle Ruins + Ohori Park | Nanzoin Temple + Tochoji Temple + Kushida Shrine |