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 there are also some family-friendly activities within the park, such as playgrounds and an insectarium with butterflies.

Momijidani Park

If you cross the Seto Inland Sea to Miyajima, don’t miss the chance to visit Momijidani Park. Located at the foot of Mount Misen, it’s close to Itsukushima Shrine and made up of a valley of maple trees. The best time to see these is in the fall when the leaves turn red, but they’re also beautiful with green foliage.

Misen Mountain Trails

Mount Misen is the highest peak on Miyajima. Three different trails lead to its summit, all of which take no more than about two hours (although they vary in difficulty, according to how steep the climb is). If you’re not feeling up to a long hike, you can take the ropeway — although it still involves quite a bit of walking to reach the top.

Tsutsumigaura Nature Park

Another spot in Miyajima is Tsutsumigaura Nature Park. Located on the coast, it offers both green spaces and beaches, with parks running through the park that are ideal for a stroll or cycle. You can also camp here — a great alternative to finding accommodation in Miyajima. The main reason people visit, though, is to spot the deer. They’re completely comfortable around people and may even approach you if they think you have food.

Setonaikai National Park

For more expansive greenery, head to Setonaikai National Park. This is actually the biggest national park in all of Japan, consisting of parts of the mainland and around 3,000 islands. You can explore some parts of the national park by bike, taking the Shimanami Kaido highway. Other parts are ideal for hiking or reaching by boat.

Hiroshima is one of the best places in Japan for nature lovers. Whether you want a spot where you can relax for a couple hours or you’re looking for a place for an outing, Hiroshima has something for you in its gardens and national parks.

Yoshio Kohara, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons