Hiroshima family guide
Hiroshima is a green, calm river city that rebuilt itself after the atomic bomb of 1945 and now shares a message of peace. Families can talk about that history gently at the Children's Peace Monument, hung with paper cranes from around the world. A short ferry then leads to Miyajima, where deer wander the lanes and a huge orange torii gate seems to float at high tide.
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Best ages
Miyajima, the streetcars and okonomiyaki suit every age; the Peace Memorial Museum shows real belongings and images of injuries, so it is best for about 10+ with a parent who has looked ahead.
Stroller
Central Hiroshima is flat, with wide pavements, low-floor streetcars and lifts at stations, and the Peace Park paths are smooth. On Miyajima the seafront is fine, but the Mt. Misen summit trail needs a carrier.
Take this guide on the trip
Signal and roaming are not guaranteed abroad. Print this guide or save it as a PDF, then add a Hiroshima travel journal and packing list. All three are free and are made in your browser.
Travel journal for Hiroshima Packing list for HiroshimaTop things to do in Hiroshima with kids
Peace Memorial Park Ages 5+
Walk past the A-Bomb Dome to the Children's Peace Monument, which honours Sadako Sasaki, and leave a folded crane; it is a calm place to talk about peace and kindness.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Ages 10+
Entry is about JPY 200 for adults and free for junior high and younger; many families with under-10s visit only the park, while older kids benefit from a short talk before and after.
Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Ages 3+
Check the tide table: at high tide the shrine and great torii seem to float, and at low tide you can walk out on the sand to the gate.
Mt. Misen Ropeway Ages 5+
Two ropeway sections climb above the forest to views over the Seto Inland Sea islands, then a 30-minute rocky walk reaches the summit for older kids.
Orizuru Tower Ages 4+
Next to the Peace Park, kids fold a paper crane and drop it into a tall glass wall of cranes, then step onto a wooden rooftop deck with city views.
Rainy-day and cold-day options
Miyajima Public Aquarium
Finless porpoises, sea lions, penguins and Seto Inland Sea creatures, all under one roof.
Numaji Transport Museum
A transport museum with model trains, hands-on displays and ride-on bikes outside when it clears.
Okonomimura
A building of small griddle counters where kids watch okonomiyaki being layered and flipped.
A simple first day
- Morning
- Visit the Peace Park and fold a crane for the Children's Peace Monument.
- Afternoon
- Feed the koi and cross the small bridges of Shukkeien Garden.
- Evening
- Share okonomiyaki at a griddle counter in Okonomimura.
Getting around
Hiroden streetcars cover the city at a flat fare, with half price for children and IC cards accepted. For Miyajima, take the JR train to Miyajimaguchi and a 10-minute ferry, or a direct boat from the Peace Park.
Food kids like
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is a layered pancake of cabbage, noodles and egg cooked on a griddle in front of you. On Miyajima try maple-leaf momiji manju cakes, warm or fried, and grilled eel on rice.
What Hiroshima costs for a family
About JPY 22,000-38,000 (about €130-225) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Peace Memorial Museum (adult; junior high and under free) | JPY 200 (about €1.20) |
| Ferry to Miyajima, each way (adult / child) | JPY 200 / 100 (about €1.20 / €0.60) |
| Miyajima Ropeway return (adult / child) | JPY 2,000 / 1,000 (about €12 / €6) |
| Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki | JPY 1,000-1,600 (about €6-9.50) |
The Peace Park and the Children's Peace Monument are free, and adults also pay a JPY 100 Miyajima visitor tax, usually collected with the ferry fare. Prices are typical ranges checked for 2025–2026; confirm current prices before you book.
Safety notes
- Miyajima deer are wild and will grab maps, snacks or paper bags, so keep food packed away, do not feed them and watch small children near them.
- July and August are hot and humid, and typhoons in late summer can stop ferries, so carry water and check sailings before heading to Miyajima.
- Bicycles often ride on the pavements, so keep kids walking on one side and hold hands at busy crossings; tap water is safe.
What's inside the Hiroshima activity book
A personalized printable book for one child (or up to three with Family), built around Hiroshima: landmark spotting, a 12-item scavenger hunt, a local food tasting page, local phrases and a quiz. Print it at home before you leave and bring a pencil.
Missions
- Paper crane folder
- Floating gate tide watcher
Landmarks to find
- Itsukushima Shrine torii
- A-Bomb Dome
- Children's Peace Monument
- Mt. Misen
Foods to spot or taste
- okonomiyaki
- momiji manju
- grilled eel on rice
- lemon cake
Words to try
- Konnichiwa Hello
- Arigatou Thank you
- Kudasai Please
- Hai Yes
Mini €5.90 (10 pages), Adventure €9.90 (25–28 pages) or Family €14.90 (up to three children). One-time purchase, no subscription; the book is printed at home in English.
Create a Hiroshima activity bookQuestions parents ask
Is Hiroshima good for young children?
Miyajima, the streetcars and okonomiyaki suit every age; the Peace Memorial Museum shows real belongings and images of injuries, so it is best for about 10+ with a parent who has looked ahead.
Can you use a stroller in Hiroshima?
Central Hiroshima is flat, with wide pavements, low-floor streetcars and lifts at stations, and the Peace Park paths are smooth. On Miyajima the seafront is fine, but the Mt. Misen summit trail needs a carrier.
How much does a family day in Hiroshima cost?
About JPY 22,000-38,000 (about €130-225) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging. The Peace Park and the Children's Peace Monument are free, and adults also pay a JPY 100 Miyajima visitor tax, usually collected with the ferry fare.
When is the best time to visit Hiroshima with kids?
Best months: March, April, May, October, November.