Walking Tour – Shukkei-en and Memorial Peace Park

Overview

Walking Tour: Shukkei-en Gardens and Peace Park 4 hours

This is an open group walking tour experience. We’ll share a comfortable stroll through Hiroshima’s classical Japanese landscaped garden. Tour of the fascinating modern history of Hiroshima including the A-Bomb Dome Peace Memorial Park.

** the tour is not available December 29 – 31 (venues closed)

A half-day, three stage walking tour through Hiroshima covering visits to Shukkei-en Gardens, Hiroshima Castle, and concluding after a tour of Peace Memorial Park.

Tour of maximum 8 people + ¥2000 per additional person up 12

Included

• Guide fees and Entries

Not included

• venue admission fees, lunch, refreshments,

What to look forward to

Meeting at Hiroshima Station, we’ll take a short stroll to the nearby famed Shukkei-en Gardens, a classically landscaped garden landscape that mimics a variety of natural formations and scenic views of valleys, mountains, and forests in miniature encircling a large pond, established by the lord of Hiroshima fief in the 17th century. Then proceed on to visit the interior museum working our way upwards to the top of the keep for a stunning panoramic view! The tour then continues on to our tour of Ground zero and the A-Bomb Dome and adjacent Peace Memorial Park, passing through the grounds of Hiroshima Castle for a stopover to get a picture along the way.  You might like to picnic lunch in the park or I’ll be happy to escort you to an okonomiyaki lunch afterward or help you with whatever information or guidance I may be able to.

ITINERARY

** the tour is not available December 29 - 31 (venues closed)

A half-day, three stage walking tour through Hiroshima covering visits to Shukkei-en Gardens, Hiroshima Castle, and concluding after a tour of Peace Memorial Park.

Shukkei-en Gardens:

The feudal age classically modelled landscape gardens encircling a pond populated with carp and turtles; a beautiful oasis in downtown Hiroshima.

Hiroshima Castle:

Walk through the grounds and a short tour of the Castle interior museum and splendid view from the top floor of the main keep.

Peace Memorial Park:

Hypocentre (ground zero) to set the stage.

Atomic Bomb Dome, is the main focal memorial of the area.

Tour of monuments of Peace Memorial Park – Children’s Memorial,  Peace Bell, Unknown Victims Mound, Korean Victim’s Memorial, Cenotaph, concluding at the Peace Memorial Museum.

MEETING POINT + TOUR EXPERIENCE SUMMARY

Meeting Point: At Hiroshima Station – you will be advised of the specific meeting point at the station following confirmed registration for the tour.

Duration: 4 hours

- 9 AM Join group as notified
- A short walk to nearby  Shukkei-en Gardens (literally translates as shrunken garden), and tour the grounds with its valley, forests, and views. Total time: approximately 45 minutes
- Continue on to Hiroshima Castle a short walk from the gardens and take photos and tour the interior museum of historical artifacts and information about Japanese Castles. Total time: approximately 45 minutes
- Continue on to the Hypocentre and begin a tour (learn historical facts and information and) then proceeds to the A-Bomb Dome a silent sentinel reminder of the folly of humanity, and from there a tour of other significant monuments and memorials in adjacent Peace Memorial Park  

- The tour concludes at Peace Memorial Museum,where is displayed an extensive and interesting (if not quite disturbing) collection of photographs and personal items, materials representations in art of the remains of the A-bomb survivors and the devastation of the A-bomb, as well as the history of Hiroshima before and after the A-bomb

**I do not designate strict times of each component as timing often depends on the most comfortable pace according to the guest and it is flexible according to the day’s experience

TRANSPORTATION

On foot

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Guiding Services

WHAT'S EXTRA?

• Admissions

Shukkei-en:

Adult ¥260, College, High School Students ¥150, Junior High School, Elementary School Students ¥100, 65 years and older Free, **Combined ticket that includes admission to the adjacent Prefectural Art Museum (visit is not included in the tour)

Hiroshima Castle:

Adult ¥370, High School Students ¥180, Junior High School Students and under free

Peace Memorial Museum:

Adults ¥200, High school students ¥100, Junior high school students and younger free

•  Personal Expenses
• Souvenirs
• Food, Drinks, Snacks

ESTIMATED LOCAL CASH NEEDED

• (admissions total for an adult) ¥830
• souvenir spending

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate

DETAILS

Kid Friendly: please enquire 

Involves approximately 3.5 km (2.3 miles) with some steep paths/trails in one section at Shukkei-en, stairs necessary to view castle interior.  This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or guests who utilise a wheelchair due to transportation mode. Wear comfortable clothing. You will need comfortable walking closed-toe walking shoes.

RESTRICTIONS

 None.