Hiroshima has been marketed as the de-facto dark tourism destination, but it’s considerably more than that. Take a boat ride to Miyajima Island, where wild deer roam free, and at low tide, stray to the floating torii gate. Go in hungry, and leave with oyster and okonomiyaki fatigue. What else? Here, Red Planet team recommends five exceptional places to see in Hiroshima — where you’ll get a bit of everything.

1. Okonomimura

Some say it’s a pizza. Some say it’s a pancake. But it’s called grilled whatever you want. Okonomiyaki, the pride of the Kansai region, is, in fact, more prevalent in Hiroshima than anywhere else. Go ahead and ask natives from Osaka and Hiroshima to tell which city has the best okonomiyaki. You’ll want to grab some popcorn and sit down for that. The difference between the two? In Kansai, okonomiyaki batter is mixed with all ingredients before grilling. Whereas in Hiroshima, the pancake is layered on the grill (with yakisoba noodles).

So where’s the best okonomiyaki in Hiroshima? Three hundred fifty metres (across the street) from Red Planet Hiroshima is Okonomimura. Run that on Google translate. It literally means okonomi village, and the 25 restaurants in the four-story building do nothing else but serve different variations of the famous pancake. Type Okonomimura in your navigation app, find the chefs who yell the loudest, and sit down for a Japanese pizza pancake.

How much is one okonomiyaki: between 800 and 1,300 yen.

2. Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Castle was protected during the Meiji Restoration but got destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945. The castle now standing in its place is a faithful replica of the one built in the 16th century. And unlike other castles in Japan that were built on hills as defensive forts, Hiroshima castle sits on a flat surface surrounded by a moat. If you’re interested in the history and ways of the samurai, there’s a museum inside.

Ticket price to Hiroshima Castle: adults 370 yen and children under high school age 180 yen.
When is it open: 9am to 6pm (March to November) 9am to 5pm (December to February on weekdays only).

3. Itsukushima (Miyajima island)

Miyajima island ticks every holiday in Japan box, from adorable animals to charming nature. Located southwest of Hiroshima city, this island is home to the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Hiroshima. The Itsukushima shrine is best known for the floating, orange torii gate that is the first thing you’ll see while taking the boat from Hiroshima. Behind it, is the main shrine with pier-like design to create a floating illusion. But the most striking views await those who visit in the autumn in the show of changing leaves. So, buy a momiji manju, a red-bean filled autumn confectionery, and hold it against the fiery orange shrine framed by the golden-red leaves. Camera. Action.

How to get to Miyajima Island: hop on the JR train to Miyajimaguchi and take the regular ferry from Miyajimaguchi pier (10-minute ride and 180 yen / one way) or the high-speed ferry at Hiroshima port (22-minute ride and 1,800 yen / one way).
Entrance fee: adults 1,000 yen, high school students 500 yen, junior high school students and elementary school children 300 yen.

4. Miyajima Cable Car

Miyajima ropeway connects the highest peak of Hiroshima, Mount Misen, to Momijidani park. From the gondolas, you’ll have good views of the Seto Inland Sea and the sacred mountain. And if you squint, weather permitting, even Hiroshima city. If you hike, or camp, pack your survival kit and head to Tsutsumigaura campground. You can also go for a walking tour in the maple leaf park at Momijidani with over two hundred types of Japanese maples. Whatever you do, it’s going to be unforgettable.

Opening hours: 9am to 4.30pm (December to February) 9am to 5pm (March to November)
How much are the Miyajima Ropeway ticket prices: adults 1,840 yen (round-trip) or 1,010 yen (one way) and children 920 yen (round-trip) or 510 yen (one way)

5. Hiroshima Peace Memorial park

You have summited the sacred mountain, posed with the deer, and tried the famous Hiroshima comfort food. Now, calm down and take your hat off to the victims of the atomic bombing tragedy. Sure, there are many war-related landmarks in Hiroshima — including Memorial Cathedral, Ground Zero, and Gates of Peace — but most of them are inside the Peace Memorial Park. And visiting Hiroshima without seeing the park would be a disservice to one of the most historically wealthiest cities in Japan. Its A-bomb dome is the most well-known monument and serves as a memorial to over 140,000 people who died in the wake of the atomic bombings. Even if you’re not into museums, put your phone away, and reflect on what happened here.