Gardens

Hiroshima is packed with great places to experience nature. Within the city, there are gardens that are ideal for some respite for a few hours. Outside the city in Hiroshima prefecture, there are national parks that are great options for day trips or a weekend away. Shukkeien Garden See all the nature from Hiroshima condensed into miniature form at Shukkeien Garden. It contains forests, valleys, mountains, and other natural formations in a “shrunken” garden. Located in downtown Hiroshima, this is a must-go spot for when you need a break. Wander along the path that takes you around the entirety of the garden or stop in one of the tea houses that looks out on the pond. Hiroshima Botanical Garden Still within the city but on the outskirts is Hiroshima Botanical Garden. There are things to see all year round thanks to several greenhouses, which grow things like cacti, tropical waterlilies, begonias, and fuchsias. In total, there are around 200,000 plants of about 10,000 species. Hiroshima City Forest Park For a green space with additional activities, there’s Hiroshima City Forest Park. It’s expansive enough to have a good hike — heading up to the observation deck is particularly satisfying — but…