Hiroshima Events August 2025: Complete Guide to 80th Anniversary Peace Memorial Ceremony, Lantern Festival and Fireworks
Hiroshima is a naturally rich city surrounded by mountains in the north and the sea in the south. The central area is highly developed with commercial facilities lined up throughout. Additionally, many factories are arranged along the coastal areas. Hiroshima is a city with strong aspects in various fields including nature, industry, and commerce.
In summer, Hiroshima hosts various events ranging from those that preserve traditional aspects to local festivals. This time, we will introduce the summer events held in Hiroshima and their highlights for this special Hiroshima Event August 2025 season.
August 2025 Features the 80th Anniversary Peace Memorial Ceremony
Hiroshima is the first city in human history where an atomic bomb was dropped over an urban area. 140,000 lives were lost.
From this history, Hiroshima continues to send messages to Japan and the world as a city that wishes for peace. One of these is the 80th Anniversary Peace Memorial Ceremony held on August 6th, the day the atomic bomb was dropped.
Peace Memorial Ceremony
Source:Wikipedia
The Peace Memorial Ceremony is a ceremony for peace that offers memorial services for atomic bomb victims and prayers for peace. Along with the dedication of the list of the deceased and flower offerings, a moment of silence is observed at 8:15 AM, the time when the atomic bomb was dropped, offering prayers for the dead.
Additionally, through peace declarations, peace songs, and the release of doves which symbolize peace, a strong message for peace is delivered to the world.
This event takes place at "Peace Memorial Park," which was built at the hypocenter of the atomic bomb. Please feel the strong message that can only be sent from this place where such great damage occurred. You can feel the strength of the people of Hiroshima who face the deep sadness of war and live with strong thoughts for peace. I believe that feeling something from the heavy and strong atmosphere of this event is the first step we can take for peace.
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- Date: August 6, 2025
- Access:
From JR Hiroshima Station South Exit bus terminal, take Hiroshima Bus Route 24 (Yoshijima) to "Yoshijima Business Office" or "Yoshijima Hospital," get off at "Peace Memorial Park"
From Hiroshima Airport Terminal Building 1st floor arrival floor Platform 1, take bus to Hiroshima Bus Center, get off at the terminal, about 10 minutes walk
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/atomicbomb-peace/peace-ceremony/1021111/1039934.html
Peace Message and Lantern Floating
This is an event held every year on the evening of August 6th, the day the atomic bomb was dropped and when the Peace Memorial Ceremony takes place. About 10,000 lanterns are floated on the river that flows through the city. Lanterns are Japanese-style lamps with paper lampshades.
This event began when people who lost loved ones in the atomic bomb floated handmade lanterns on the river for the deceased. In recent years, people from all over the world visit this event with wishes for world peace.
This river is the place where many people lost their lives after the atomic bomb was dropped, and where many bodies floated. The lanterns illuminate this river with such a sad history. While gazing at that soft, warm, and beautiful light, why not reflect on thoughts of peace?
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- Date: August 6, 2025
- Access:
From JR "Hiroshima Station," take Route 2 "Hiroden Miyajimaguchi-bound" or "Hiroden Nishi-Hiroshima-bound" or Route 6 "Eba-bound" Hiroshima Electric Railway to "Atomic Bomb Dome-mae"
From JR "Hiroshima Station," take Meipuru~pu to "Atomic Bomb Dome-mae"
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.chushinren.jp/tourou/
Have a Knowledgeable Guide Show You Hiroshima's Peace Spots!
The Hiroshima Peace (Heiwa) Walking Tour at World Heritage Sites is a 5-hour tour that visits places affected by the atomic bomb while learning about history. Starting with Peace Memorial Park where the Peace Memorial Ceremony mentioned earlier takes place, various locations throughout the city preserve damage from the atomic bomb or have monuments built for peace memorial.
By participating in this tour, you can feel the sadness and strength of the people of Hiroshima who have accepted the past of war and have strived, and continue to strive, for peace.
This tour also visits Orizuru Tower, Hiroshima's newest peace spot. From the observation deck, please take in the beautiful city of Hiroshima that has achieved remarkable development from the damage of war.
Tour Details:
- Meeting point: In front of the mont-bell store near Nishi Kamiyacho Station
- Tour area: Hiroshima
- Start time: 10:00
Must-See Fireworks Festivals Held in Hiroshima in August
Onomichi Sumiyoshi Fireworks Festival
Source:Official website
This fireworks festival has a history of over 250 years, making it a traditional fireworks celebration. The attractive point of this festival is that you can enjoy both traditional ceremonies and fireworks.
First, regarding the traditional ceremony, a boat carrying a deity slowly proceeds across the sea. The boat is warmly illuminated with chochin (Japanese-style lanterns), and the sight of the lights slowly moving and reflecting on the water surface is fantastical.
The fireworks are also very spectacular, with 13,000 fireworks coloring the night sky. Particularly attractive are the underwater fireworks. Since underwater fireworks explode in the water, semicircular fireworks spring up from the water surface like fountains, which is very beautiful.
Both the traditional ceremony and fireworks are solemn and beautiful, while also having exciting and thrilling enjoyment. Please visit once by all means.
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- Date: August 2, 2025
- Access: About 6 minutes walk from Karahoi bus stop
- Admission: Free (no paid seating)
- Website: https://onomichi-cci.or.jp/hanabi/2024/11/11/2025年（令和7年）開催日について/
Fukuyama Summer Festival
Source:Fukuyama City
The Fukuyama Summer Festival is a summer festival that colors Fukuyama, featuring three consecutive events over three days from August 13th to 15th. This time we'll focus in detail on only the 1st and 3rd day festivals, but on the 2nd day there's a "yukata" event.
Ashida River Fireworks Festival
This event is the finale of the Fukuyama Summer Festival. It's the largest-scale fireworks festival in western Japan, with approximately 16,000 fireworks coloring Fukuyama's sky.
The concept of this fireworks festival is "Fukuyama citywide fireworks." Since the fireworks are held on the river flowing through the city, you can observe fireworks from a very wide area within the city. The highlight of this fireworks festival is the starmine (continuously launched fireworks) held over a 1.4km launch area. The spectacular view of fireworks covering the sky as far as the eye can see can only be enjoyed here. Also, in this fireworks festival launched from the water surface right beside us, the fireworks reflecting on the river surface are a very attractive point.
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- Date: August 15, 2025
- Access: About 25-30 minutes walk from JR Fukuyama Station
- Admission: Basically free (paid seating available)
- Website: https://www.fukuyama-natsumatsuri.jp/ashida/
Niagari Dance Festival
Source:X
Niagari dance is one of Fukuyama's traditional performing arts. People dance while parading to the music of shamisen (a stringed instrument that is one of the Japanese traditional instruments). Since it has a long history, there are various variations in many aspects such as appearance, tempo, and music. For example, relatively fast-tempo ones are dances from newer eras. It's also interesting to look at the differences while watching various groups' dances.
This event includes time at the end for everyone, including the audience, to dance together. It's a simple repetition of steps: side, front, side, front, front, side, front, so even first-timers and people who aren't good at dancing can quickly enjoy dancing with smiles. Please dance together and not only see but also experience Fukuyama's traditional culture.
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- Date: August 13, 2025
- Access: 5 minutes walk from JR Fukuyama Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://fukuyama-natsumatsuri.jp/niagari/
Shobara Summer Festival Fireworks Festival
Source:Shobara Kankonavi
This festival is a fireworks festival held in a large park called Ueno Park, where 3,000 fireworks are launched from a pond within the park. Various types and colors of fireworks are launched, so you can watch with excitement from beginning to end. What particularly excited me were the fireworks modeled after Niagara Falls. The sight of a waterfall emerging as if water were flowing is very beautiful.
Also, the recommended viewing spot for this fireworks festival is right by the lakeside. The fireworks launching right in front of you are very powerful, and the fireworks reflected on the lake surface are very beautiful. Please enjoy both from close by.
Also, food stalls line up around the pond. Being able to enjoy Japanese festival food and festival mini-games is one of the attractive points of this festival.
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- Date: August 24, 2025
- Access: 10 minutes walk from JR Geibi Line "Bingo-Shobara Station"
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.shobara-info.com/event/4745
※This website is from 2024.
Kohan-no-Sato Fukutomi Roadside Station Syakunage-ko Fireworks Display
source:Official Instagram
This festival is a regional fireworks display held at a roadside station, drawing many local residents together. The main attraction of this festival is the fireworks launched over the lake, with 2,000 fireworks illuminating the night sky. The varied presentation is captivating, featuring large fireworks slowly rising into the sky and small fireworks blooming in continuous succession.
The food stalls at this festival are also extremely attractive. Higashihiroshima City, where this festival takes place, is famous for its game meat cuisine. At the festival stalls, you can find rare meats such as wild boar, deer, and horse that are not commonly available elsewhere. Of course, classic festival foods like potatoes, castella cake, and fried chicken are also abundantly available. Furthermore, since this is a local festival with many families attending, there are plenty of mini-games for children. The fact that families with children can enjoy themselves safely is one of the festival's appealing points.
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- Date: August 30, 2025
- Access: 30 minutes by bus bound for "Toyosaka" from JR Nishi-Takaya Station, get off at "Kuba," then 15 minutes on foot
- Admission: Free (paid seating available)
- Website: https://kohannosato.co.jp/
August Hiroshima Events: Summer Festival Events Where You Can Experience Japanese Culture and Summer Traditions
Tamatoru Festival
Source:Dive! Hiroshima
This festival is an event with a long history, having been passed down for 400 years while changing its form over time. Currently, this event takes place on the sea. An 8-meter scaffold is built on the sea, from which a wooden ball is suspended. Young men wearing only loincloths (dressed like sumo wrestlers) strive to grab this ball by forming pyramids and giving each other shoulder rides. Afterward, they carry the ball to the goal point. This ball is said to grant wishes, and happiness is believed to come to those who drop the ball and those who carry it to the goal.
Whether the ball can be grabbed or not, the audience watches excitedly, and the entire venue comes together in support. This festival is a traditional event that has long connected the hearts of local people. How about experiencing the feeling of becoming part of the community while cheering together?
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- Date: August 24, 2025
- Access: Ferry from Miyajimaguchi Pier to Miyajima Pier (about 10 minutes), then 12 minutes on foot
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://miyajima.or.jp/event/event_tamatori.html
Innoshima Suigun Festival - Sea Festival
Source:Official website
This is an event derived from Japan's largest pirates, known as the Murakami Suigun (Navy). At this event, races are held over 1km using boats that recreate the small wooden vessels used for communication and reconnaissance by these maritime warriors. The sight of 14 strong rowers moving in perfect synchronization to the rhythm of Japanese drums, creating splashes as they advance, is truly spectacular.
When people think of pirates, many might imagine acts of robbery on the high seas, but the Murakami Suigun protected maritime safety and maintained order in transportation and distribution. The expressions of those striving for safety were probably the same serious gazes you can see at this festival. Please enjoy the powerful spectacle while also reflecting on these former champions of justice.
There's also an experiential corner where you can try rowing these boats yourself, which is highly recommended.
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- Date: August 31, 2025
- Access: 25 minutes by bus from JR Onomichi Station bound for Innoshima Habu Port, get off at Innoshima Bridge, then 10 minutes on foot
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://0845.boo.jp/suigun/sea
"Innoshima Suigun Festival - Island Fire Festival" Has Been Moved to September
Source:Official website
Actually, the Innoshima Suigun Festival just introduced consists of both the Sea Festival and Island Fire Festival as one combined event. Originally held for 22 consecutive days, the Island Fire Festival's schedule has been moved to September from the perspective of heatstroke prevention.
The Island Fire Festival is an event that recreates the triumphant ceremony after the Murakami Suigun's return. It features formation displays by armored warriors, drum performances, and torch performances. Since this festival maintains traditional aspects, it's recommended for those interested in pirate ceremonies to participate in this event as well.
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- Date: September 20, 2025
- Access: 25 minutes by bus from JR Onomichi Station bound for Innoshima Habu Port, get off at Innoshima Bridge, then 10 minutes on foot
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://0845.boo.jp/suigun/fire
To Fully Enjoy Hiroshima's Exquisite Food, Let Locals Guide You to Their Favorite Spots!
The Hiroshima Bar Hopping Food Tour visits Nagarekawa, Hiroshima's No.1 entertainment district, touring three restaurants while savoring Hiroshima's gourmet cuisine. This tour allows you to enjoy various foods including Okonomiyaki (a savory pancake-like dish), one of Hiroshima's local foods, and oysters, a local specialty. Japanese food becomes even more delicious when paired with sake. Since Hiroshima is also famous for its sake production, please enjoy them together on this tour.
Sake has a smooth taste and is easy to drink, but its alcohol content is relatively high, so please be careful not to drink too much, no matter how delicious it is.
Tour Details:
- Meeting point: Hacchobori station in front of the Gucci shop
- Tour area: Hiroshima
- Start time: 19:00