Shukkei-en is a historic Japanese garden in the city of Hiroshima. Construction began in 1620 during the Edo period by order of Asano Nagaakira, daimyo of the Hiroshima Han. The seventh lord of the Han summoned an expert in the construction of Japanese gardens from Kyoto who helped reconstruct Shukkei-en. Since the Meiji period, the garden served as the villa of the Asano family. Under Emperor Meiji, the Imperial General Headquarters were relocated to Hiroshima, and the emperor briefly lodged at the villa. The gardens were then opened to the public, and in 1940 the Asano family donated them to Hiroshima Prefecture. The garden is just a short distance from Ground Zero of the nuclear attack on Hiroshima. It suffered extensive damage during the bombing and later became a refuge for victims of the war. After renovations, it reopened in 1951.

Hiroshima Castle (Carp Castle) Park is located right in the heart of the city and is one of Hiroshima's most beautifully landscaped parks. Built in the 1590s, the park and the castle were destroyed during the atomic bombing in 1945. This complex was rebuilt in 1958. It is surrounded by a wide ditch full of water that forms a natural barrier to the castle.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack, as well as to the memories of the bomb's direct and indirect victims (of whom there may have been as many as 140,000). The park is located in what was once the city’s busy downtown commercial and residential district. The park was built on open field that was created by the explosion. Today there are a number of memorials and monuments, museums, and lecture halls in this area, which draw over a million visitors annually. The annual August 6th Peace Memorial Ceremony, sponsored by the city of Hiroshima, is also held in the park. The purpose of Peace Memorial Park is not only to memorialize the victims, but to establish a reminder of the horror of nuclear war and to advocate world peace.

Fukuro-Machi Park is located in the center of Hiroshima and is open daily. It may not be as grand as Shukkei-en Garden, but it is a great place to have a quite rest and a snack or to have a picnic away from the hectic pace of the city. Fukuro-Machi is very popular with the local young people.

Hijiyama Park is famous for its impressive mountainous and forested landscape. The park has a walking trail with statues and observation decks that travels through areas of different terrain. Here you can also find a playground for children and vendors selling refreshments. Hijiyama Park is also the location of the notable Museum of Contemporary Art.