Start at the Peace Memorial Park. See the A-Bomb Victim Bronze Statue, the A-Bomb Dome, the Children’s Peace Monument, and the Cenotaph, then go through the Peace Memorial Museum (allow ~2 hours). The bronze statue is a reminder of the victims that died so miserably and tragically. The folded colored paper represents paper cranes, a universal symbol of peace, healing, and hope. The A-Bomb Dome is the only building that survived the blast because the bomb detonated almost directly overhead, driving the shockwave straight down and leaving the steel dome frame and jagged walls intact. The Peace Memorial Museum is definitely worth a visit — it’s very well done  and , as you can imagine, very sad.

Lunch: Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Head to Okonomimura, a four-story building decorated with lanterns and banners, that houses over 25 different stalls, each offering their own unique rendition. There has long been a debate about whether Osaka or Hiroshima okonomiyaki is better. There are a few differences that distinguish Hiroshima okonomiyaki — the ingredients are layered, whereas Osaka is mixed. Yakisoba or udon noodles are a mandatory in Hiroshima style okonomiyaki, which is a defining foundation of the dish, making it much heavier and more filling as a complete meal. An egg is typically cooked separately as a base or top layer rather than mixed into the batter.

Stroll to Hiroshima Castle (reconstructed, with a small history museum) and the peaceful Shukkeien Garden nearby.

Dinner at Kanawa Oyster Ship (Kakifune Kanawa), a famous floating restaurant boat on the Motoyasu River in Hiroshima, specializing in gourmet oyster dishes and traditional Japanese set courses.  For something more casual, get dinner and drinks around Hondori, the covered shopping arcade, or the Nagarekawa district.