Located along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima means “Broad Island” in Japanese. It is the first city in history to be hit by an atomic bomb towards the end of World War II, and many still seem to think that it is a dangerous radioactive wasteland. But this largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu has since recovered from the nightmare and is now a charming city boasting great food and beautiful sites.
For travellers with time constraints but still wish to visit Hiroshima, a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka in the Kansai region is possible, thanks to the speedy shinkansen (bullet train). This article will guide you on the must-dos for a great day trip in Hiroshima.
How to travel to Hiroshima
The fastest and most convenient way to travel to Hiroshima is by Nozomi shinkansen from the main cities of Honshu. Osaka is the nearest city to Hiroshima with a travelling time of 1 hour 26 minutes (9,710 JPY, 93.60 USD). From Kyoto, it will take 1 hour 40 minutes (10,570 JPY, 101.90 USD). It takes 4 hours to reach Hiroshima from Tokyo using the bullet train, so it is not advisable to rush through Hiroshima in a day if you are coming from Tokyo.
JR West
Website: JR West
1. Begin your day in Hiroshima at the Peace Memorial Park
Upon arrival at Hiroshima Station early in the morning, proceed to the huge Peace Memorial Park. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park serves as a reminder of the atomic bomb tragedy over 70 years ago. Make the Atomic Bomb Dome your first stop in the park. As the icon of Hiroshima, it is a miracle that the walls of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall remained intact despite being near the bomb’s hypocenter. As it was difficult to demolish and reconstruct the building, the memorial now stands out and serves as a stark reminder of peace in the city.
Atomic Bomb Dome (原爆ドーム)
Address: 1-10 Otemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima-city
Price: 200 JPY (1.90 USD) (moving around the park is free)
Opening Hours: 8.30am - 6pm (the park is open 24 hours).
Duration: around 30 minutes required.
Access: 15-minute tram ride to Genbaku-Dome Mae Station from Hiroshima Station on line 2 or 6.
Contact: +81 82-242-7831
After visiting the photogenic Atomic Bomb Dome, head straight to the Peace Memorial Museum in the park to avoid the increasing crowd as the day progresses. Learn about the events that led to the atomic bombing and what happened after. Although the details of the events will make you depressed, the museum serves as a reminder that we should not take peace for granted.
Peace Memorial Museum (広島平和記念資料館)
Address: 1-2 Nakajima-cho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima-city
Price: 50 JPY (0.50 USD).
Opening Hours: 8.30am - 6pm (March to July, September to November), 8:30am - 7pm (August), 8:30am - 5pm (December to February), closed 29 Dec - 1 Jan.
Duration: around 90 minutes required.
Access: 7-minute walk from Genbaku-Dome Mae Station.
Contact: +81 82-241-4004
2. Enjoy a delicious Hiroshimayaki lunch
Your stomach should be growling after spending hours touring the huge memorial park, signalling that it is time for lunch. The most famous food in the prefecture is none other than Hiroshimayaki, or Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Unlike the okonomiyaki found in other parts of Japan, the ingredients are layered in the Hiroshima version, not mixed together. Furthermore, cabbage lovers will be delighted to know that the amount of cabbage being used is typically three to four times the amount used in the Kansai-Osaka style.
Enjoy a delectable Hiroshimayaki lunch at the Okonomimura building, home to numerous okonomiyaki eateries on the second to fourth floors. Take your pick from the wide selection of ingredients available, and watch the chef whip up the mouth-watering dish right before you.
お好み村 Okonomimura
Address: 5-13 Shintenchi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-city
Price: from 7.80 USD.
Opening Hours: Depending on the shop, but mostly opens from 11am - 9pm
Access: 3-minute walk from Shintenchi bus stop, or 5-minute walk from Hacchobori Station after a 5-minute tram ride from Genbaku-Dome Mae Station where Peace Memorial Park is.
Contact: +81 82-241-2210
3. Board the ferry to the Island of Gods - Miyajima
After lunch, proceed to Miyajima (宮島), the famous shrine island about an hour outside the city of Hiroshima. The most economical way is to take the train on JR Sanyo Line to JR Miyajimaguchi Station from JR Hiroshima Station (21 minutes, 400 JPY, 3.90 USD), followed by a 10-minute walk to Miyajima Pier to board the 10-minute ferry ride to Miyajima Pier (170 JPY, 1.60 USD).
Head to the Itsukushima Shrine about 10 minutes on foot from the pier, and you will be greeted with an alluring view of the iconic shrine and torii gate built on the water of the Seto Inland Sea. No wonder Miyajima is one of the top three scenic spots of Japan. Explore the holy shrine complex and take some wonderful shots of yourself with the floating shrine gate in the background.
Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社)
Address: 1-1 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture
Price: 300 JPY (2.90 USD), 500 JPY (4.80 USD) for combined entry with Treasure Hall.
Opening Hours: 6.30am - 6pm (closing time changes depending on season).
Duration: around 1 hour required.
Access: 10-minute walk from Miyajima Pier.
Contact: +81 82-944-2020
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4. Ascend Mount Misen via Miyajima Ropeway
Ascend to the highest peak on Miyajima at Mount Misen, 500 metres (1,640 feet) above sea level. Let the Miyajima Ropeway get you up in comfort near to the top within 15 minutes, while you soak in splendid views of the Seto Inland Sea and pristine forest of Miyajima. Thereafter, you can hike to the real summit up a steep hiking trail in 30 minutes to enjoy panoramic views of the sea and as far as Hiroshima city on a clear day. If not, there is a closer lookout about 5 minutes away from the ropeway station too.
After exploring the area around the peak, you can either take the ropeway back down, or walk down to the village using one of the three hiking trails. Amongst the three trails, the Daisho-in Course is not as steep as the other two and offers the nicest views. You will pass by the Reikado (Hall of the Spiritual Flame) belonging to the important Daisho-in (大聖院) temple of Shingon Buddhism. This hall is worth special mention because the flame it protects was used to light the Flame of Peace in Hiroshima’s Peace Park. Count your lucky stars if you manage to spot the wild deer and monkeys along the mountain paths!
Mount Misen (弥山) and the Miyajima Ropeway (宮島ロープウェイ)
Address: Momijidani-koen, Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture
Price: 1,000 JPY (9.70 USD) for one-way ticket, 1,800 JPY (17.40 USD) for round-trip ticket.
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm (December to February), 9am - 5.30pm (March to November).
Duration: around 2 to 3 hours required, depending on whether you hike up to and fro the actual summit.
Access: 25-minute walk from Miyajima Pier.
Contact: +81 82-944-0316
5. Tuck into a fresh and tasty seafood dinner at Miyajima
Miyajima is blessed with favourable water conditions all around, so seafood caught here are very fresh and highly nutritious, with a rich flavour hard to find elsewhere. After sweating it out for breathtaking views of the city atop Mount Misen, treat yourself to a hearty seafood dinner on the island before you leave.
The large, tender and succulent oysters as well as the incredibly soft Anago (saltwater eel) dishes are highly-rated dishes in Miyajima that you must try. Pair the fresh and nutritious seafood with Hiroshima sake for a perfect meal. Hiroshima sake is made using soft water to brew the alcoholic beverage, so it boasts a richer flavour compared with sake from other regions in the country. End the great day with a superb meal in one of the top three scenic spots in Japan!
Ueno (あなごめしうえの )
Address: 1-5-11 Miyajima-guchi, Hatsuka-ichi, Hiroshima Prefecture
Price: from 9.80 USD.
Opening Hours: 10am - 7pm (2nd floor opens from 11am - 3pm, Friday-Tuesday).
Access: short walk from Miyajimaguchi Station on the JR Sanyo Line.
Contact: +81 829-56-0006
6. Or head back to Hiroshima for a bar hopping food tour (from USD 84.0)
Your trip to Hiroshima wouldn’t be complete without checking out the nightlife and bar scene. Hiroshima bar-hopping food tour is an in-demand excursion which takes you to the best local dining and drinking spots, the whole tour lasting about three hours. The tour begins with chefs cooking Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) for you to enjoy afterward. Then comes the exciting part—where your tour guide will take you to bar hopping around the most recommended local restaurants and bars. They’ve even prepared a special bar hopping map simply for this event! And last, what better way to end your trip than to have a glass or more of sake or Japanese rice wine. Enjoy!
Hiroshima Bar Hopping Food Tour
Duration: 3
Price: 67 USD
Hiroshima Bar Hopping Food Tour
Duration: 3 hours
A scenic cultural day tour in Hiroshima
Like what you have experienced in a day trip in Hiroshima? The above itinerary is just a small part of what this charming heritage destination has to offer. Don’t forget to pack some exquisite souvenirs home to share your sweet travel memories in the City of Peace. Next time you visit Japan, do make more time for Hiroshima, so that you can have a whale of a time at a more relaxed pace!
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