Hiroshima is possibly best known for the awful and tragic events of 1945 – whilst never forgotten, there is much to enjoy today and we recommend a short visit to Hiroshima to add to your Japan itinerary!
There are moving memorials and museums dedicated to the world’s first atomic bomb attack but Hiroshima is so much more – a modern city with an incredible food scene and amazing day trips, here you can visit temples, Hiroshima Castle and take some time to explore the city on foot.
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Foodies will love it here too – be sure to try the local speciality Hiroshima okonomiyaki served with noodles. One such place is Okonomi-mura, Hiroshima’s okonomiyaki village where you’ll find over 20 okonomiyaki restaurants under one roof.
Here is our perfect 2 day Hiroshima itinerary guide with photos.
How to get to Hiroshima
By Shinkansen (bullet train)
The fastest and most popular way to travel to Hiroshima station is by shinkansen train.
The fastest journey times from the following cities are:
Tokyo to Hiroshima: 3 hours 45 minutes
Osaka to Hiroshima: 1 hour 25 minutes
Kyoto to Hiroshima: 1 hour 40 minutes
Fukuoka to Hiroshima: 1 hour
Plan My Japan Tip – whilst in Hiroshima, it is worthwhile investing in a Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass, available at Hiroshima Airport, Bus Station and Hiroshima train station.
This allows you 1 day of unlimited transport for 1,000 Yen, 2 days for 1,500 Yen or 3 days for 2,000 Yen.
By plane
An alternative option to the bullet train (and sometimes more affordable if booked in advance) is to take an internal flight to Hiroshima Airport. Hiroshima from Tokyo by plane takes around 1.5 hours and there are multiple flights a day.
You can also fly directly into Hiroshima Airport from countries such as South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan and China.
To reach downtown Hiroshima from the airport you can take an airport limousine bus (which takes 45 – 60 minutes) and costs 1,500 Yen for adults and 750 Yen for children one-way.
By highway bus
If you are on a budget then the cheapest (but longest) option to reach Hiroshima is by highway bus from cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka.
The most popular highway bus company is Willer Express which has many intercity routes.
Other companies that run night buses between Hiroshima and Tokyo are Chugoku JR Bus, Jam Jam Liner and Kagotabi Liner.
Where to stay in Hiroshima
On our most recent trip to Hiroshima we stayed at the 3 star Smile Hotel which was mid range in price, and had decent sized clean and comfortable rooms (plus a small buffet breakfast is included).
The hotel is located in a nightlife district but we never felt unsafe or heard loud noises during our stay. We would stay at this hotel again on future trips to Hiroshima!
Check rates and availability on booking.com, agoda.com, trip.com, expedia.com and hotels.com
Other popular places to stay include:
Luxury ($$$)
THE KNOT HIROSHIMA
This modern and stylish hotel is highly rated by members of our Facebook group, and is located a short walk from Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Check rates and availability on booking.com, agoda.com, trip.com, expedia.com and hotels.com
Budget hostel ($)
WeBase Hiroshima
Highly rated clean and modern hostel with both dorms and private rooms. Facilities include a shared kitchen and lounge. Check rates and availability on booking.com, agoda.com, trip.com, expedia.com and hotels.com
How to get around Hiroshima
Downtown Hiroshima is fairly compact so many attractions can be visited in one day just by walking!
However getting around Hiroshima by public transport is very convenient as there are multiple transport options. The streetcars / trams (hiroden) have 8 lines and are the most iconic way to get around.
If you want to use the trams regularly then you can purchase a day pass for 700 Yen for unlimited rides (the fare for a single tram ride is a flat 240 Yen). For an extra 300 yen, you get buy a day pass that also includes the return ferry journey to Miyajima Island (by Matsudai ferry – not by JR ferry).
These can be purchased at Hiroshima Station or directly on the tram from the driver or conductor when you board. Some central hotels and tourist centers also sell them.
There is also a network of buses including the JR-operated Hiroshima sightseeing loop bus, called Meipuru-pu that covers many sightseeing attractions.
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Day 1 – Hiroshima itinerary morning
Shukkeien Garden
We start our two day Hiroshima itinerary with a visit to the sublime Shukkeien Garden (map), which is open daily from 9am to 6pm, April to September (and until 5pm the rest of the year).
We visited Shukkeien Garden one December weekday morning and whilst not in full bloom, it was still a serene and splendid place to explore, with several ponds, a bamboo glade and a small cafe. It is also one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Hiroshima in March or April.
Started in 1620 during the Edo period and recently celebrating its 400th anniversary, this is a Daimyo (feudal lord) garden with a circular path that goes around the perimeter of a huge lake complete with a bridge and traditional buildings.
2026 admission prices to Shukkeien garden are 510 Yen per adult which can be bought in advance on Klook here >
Hiroshima Castle
From Shukkeien Garden to Hiroshima Castle (map), it is just a short 10 minute walk to Hiroshima Castle (広島城, Hiroshima-jō) – some locals also refer to it as Carp Castle, as the moat contains hundreds of koi carp.
Originally built in the late 1580s by Mori Terumoto, a feudal lord, sadly much of the original wooden castle was removed during the Meiji Restoration and then further destroyed in the atomic bombing. It was ‘rebuilt’ in the 1950s and it is surrounded by gardens and a huge moat.
The park is free to walk around and you can go inside Hiroshima Castle for 370 Yen admission as of January 2026 – it offers panoramic views of Hiroshima city from the top floor observatory. Inside, there are five storeys plus a museum where you can learn about samurais and Hiroshima’s history.
Book Hiroshima-jō tickets online here >
Hiroshima itinerary day 1 – lunchtime
After exploring Shukkeien Garden and Hiroshima Castle, grab some lunch.
If you fancy some local bites and are bored of Japanese chain restaurants or konbini food, try one of these Hiroshima lunch spots (we will mention our okonomiyaki recommendations later for dinner):
- Ekohiiki for Hiroshima oysters (map)
- Tosho for homemade tofu – near Hijiyama Park (map)
- Okkundou Mazemen for brothless ramen (map)
- MoreThan HIROSHIMA – an all day cafe with a huge menu (map)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
No trip to Hiroshima is complete without visiting the Peace Memorial Park (map), located in the downtown area and surrounded by the Honkawa and Motoyasu-gawa rivers.
The outdoor memorial marks the world’s first atomic bomb that was unleashed on Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, instantly wiping out most of the city killing around 80,000 citizens (not to mention many, MANY more who died much later due to ill health caused by the bomb – another 100,000+).
Opened in 1954, there are several memorials and reminders of the atomic bomb to see in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park including:
Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome)
Possibly the most eerie and unsettling site in Hiroshima, the Atomic Bomb Dome (map) is the partial remains of a former industrial promotion / exhibition hall which is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage site.
Whilst still sealed off by fencing, it is free to see and one of the few structures near to the atomic bomb epicenter that is still upright and not razed to the ground.
Free to visit, visiting this felt very weird to us as we saw some people posing for group photos next to it which felt kind of off.
Hiroshima Peace Flame and Cenotaph
An eternal flame that has continued to burn since it was first lit in 1964, the intention is for the peace flame to burn bright until every last nuclear weapon on the earth has been disarmed (map).
Conceived by professor Kenzo Tange, the design incorporates two arms and wings cupping the flame as a continual reminder of what happened that tragic day in 1945.
The Cenotaph along the pond area here also has a list of all the citizens killed by the atomic bomb.
Children’s Peace Monument
The Children’s Peace Monument (map) is a small and humble section of the Peace Park dedicated to Sadako Sasaki and the tens of thousands of other innocent young victims of the bomb.
Sasaki is represented at the top of the monument, seen creating a Japanese paper crane. Aged just 11 years old when she developed leukaemia brought on by the after effects of the atomic bomb, she wanted to create 1,000 paper cranes to get a wish but sadly never got to complete her wish before she succumbed to the disease.
In memory of her, her schoolmates and children from all over Japan created and sent in paper cranes.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (map) is a collection of photographs, video archives and belongings left by the victims which detail what happened that day (and the aftermath) in devastating detail.
A very moving and unflinching account of what happened, it is impossible not to shed a tear here when you see items such as melted personal items and burned clothes.
The museum is split into two main buildings – one about the history and build-up to WWII whilst the other displays personal accounts and artifacts – please note the items on display and photography here are very distressing but some be seen should you feel up to it.
As of January 2026, admission to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is 200 Yen per person.
Day 1 – Hiroshima itinerary evening
Hondori Shopping Street
We stayed in a hotel near Hondori Shopping street (map) so we were and shopping here most nights.
Full of chain stores, gaming arcades and karaoke bars, Hondori Shopping Street is a covered retail section with much to shop and eat.
Try these Hiroshima tours with Klook, Get Your Guide and Viator
Okonomiyaki for dinner
Hiroshima’s multi-storey Okonomi-mura (map) is an interesting spot to visit and try okonomiyaki (Japan’s sublime savory pancake).
Hiroshima is said to be home of some forms of okonomiyaki and all around the city, you’ll bear witness to this from dozens of restaurants specialising in this dish.
Whilst in Hiroshima, pay a pancake pilgrimage to Okonomi-mura お好み村, which has over 20 okonomiyaki stalls under one roof, across several salivating storeys.
From what to expect inside to the best times to visit, here is our guide to Okonomi-mura >
If you don’t fancy Okonomi-mura, then other great places to eat okonomiyaki in Hiroshima include:
Also look out for the famous okonomiyaki inspired Japanese manhole covers in downtown Hiroshima which look good enough to eat!
For after dinner drinks, head to the Nagarekawa Entertainment District where there are many bars and izakayas.
P.S. We visited in Hiroshima most recently in December – so if you happen to be here in the winter, we recommend a night out at the Hiroshima Christmas Market at Hiroshima Gate Park Plaza.
The market usually runs from early December to 25 December, between 4pm to 9pm every night (and from 11am on weekends and Christmas Eve / Christmas Day).
Hiroshima day 2 itinerary – Miyajima Island
For day two, we’d recommend taking a trip to Miyajima Island, one of the most popular day trips from Hiroshima.
How to get to Miyajima from Hiroshima
By train + ferry
From Hiroshima Station, jump on the JR Sanyo Line westbound train and alight at Miyajimaguchi Station – this takes around 30 minutes or less and costs around 400 Yen one way. You can also take the tram line number 2 from downtown Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi Station but the journey is much longer.
From Miyajimaguchi Station, walk a couple of minutes to the Miyajima Ferry Terminal and buy your tickets from one of the numerous ticket booths. Ferries to Miyajima depart every 15 minutes or so.
The ferry ride takes about 10 minutes and costs around 200 Yen one way.
By boat
Another alternative is to take a boat from Miyajima Peace Park in downtown Hiroshima directly to Miyajima Island costing around 2,100 / 2,200 Yen one way and 4,000 Yen return.
We did this boat journey on the way back from Miyajima to Hiroshima and it was a quicker and more relaxing journey than taking the train + ferry combo (45 minutes) but the scenery after the island wasn’t that spectacular.
Miyajima – things to do
We’ve been to Miyajima Island on a couple of occasions and both times, it has been incredibly beautiful but busy! Very much tourist central but easy to understand why, these are some of our the best things to do on Miyajima.
Itsukushima-jinja
Miyajima’s famous shrine by the sea, Itsukushima-jinja 厳島神社 is a shinto shrine consisting of a red torii that ‘floats’ in the water (although you can see it fully standing on the land during low tide).
One of Japan’s most popular photo spots, the site dates back to around 600 AD and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The waterside torii shrine came as a way to bless ‘commoners’ who were not allowed to set foot on Miyajima unless they arrived via boat through the torii.
Miyajima Deer
Miyajima is home to hundreds of deers who roam around grazing and looking for treats from tourists – they are pretty tame but can sometimes be protective of their baby deers (Bambi!).
Love deer? Also check out our guide to Nara >
Daisho-in Temple (大聖院)
One of our our personal Miyajima Island highlights, we visited Daisho-in temple late in the afternoon, a beautiful Buddhist temple Misen mountain as a stunning backdrop (which you can hike from here if you are so ‘incline’-d).
Founded in 800 AD and rebuilt and expanded many times over the intervening centuries, there are many shrines, gates and temples here plus a steep staircase that leads between the various places of worship. Remember to look back from the top of the steps for stunning views of Miyajima Island.
Miyajima oysters
See that big queue of people on the main shopping street looking hungry? That will likely be the line for mouthwatering Miyajima oysters, grilled to perfection and starts from 600 Yen for two.
We tried these and they were pretty good (nothing special but nice to try a local Miyajima seafood dish).
Toyokuni Shrine (豊国神社) & Goju-no-to Pagoda (五重塔)
Possibly Miyajima’s most famous landmark after Itsukushima-jinja, the red five storey Goju-no-to Pagoda is part of Toyokuni Shrine and has a small admission fee (100 Yen) to go inside.
Toyokuni Shrine was begun in 1597 but to this day, it is still not totally completed (Japanese builders eh?)
Miyajima Ropeway
Climb Miyajima’s highest mountain Misen in style using the famous 2 section ropeway that goes all the way to Shishiiwa Observatory (via an interchange) and offers unspoilt views of the surrounding sea.
Miyajima Ropeway costs 2,000 Yen return or 1,100 Yen return, There is also a free shuttle bus service (to Momijidani Station) that operates at intervals of about 20 minutes.
Miyajima Brewing and Starbucks Miyajima / Tenshinkaku
If you fancy a brew with a view (be it beer or coffee), Miyajima Brewing is a local craft beer brewery and bar located on the main street offering favorites like Momiji Lager – their third floor restaurant also has waterside views.
Nearby, Miyajima Starbucks also has a nice back-room with a small balcony and great views – we know its a chain but hey, sometimes you just want a quick brew with a blissful backdrop.
Alternatively, we didn’t go here ourselves but we noticed another cafe on Miyajima called Tenshinkaku which had an amazing terrace with a great vantage point of the pagoda and Toyokuni Shrine.
Our final thing to do on Miyajima Island
Kaiun Sumikkogurashi An Miyajima Ten (開運すみっコぐらし庵)
One for kawaii fans! One of the Sanrio / San-X range of cartoon characters, Sumikko Gurashi and Rilakkuma have their own cute shops on Miyajima Island.
Created over 10 years ago in 2012, Sumikko Gurashi is now so popular it has its own anime TV series with several animated movies over the years.
This shop is packed full of adorable merchandise plus some fun food stuffs like mini castella cakes in the shapes of characters – too cute to eat (maybe).
Extra time in Hiroshima?
If you have a spare day in Hiroshima then we recommend a visit to Saijo Sake Brewery Street – for sake tasting (35 minutes by train from Hiroshima Station), or take the train to the charming canalside town of Kurashiki for the day (just over an hour away by bullet train + local train).
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