At a glance
- Best for
- History, reflection, island scenery and food
- Airports
- Hiroshima (HIJ), or Shinkansen from Osaka
- Time needed
- One to two days
- Best season
- March to May and October to November
- Language
- Japanese, with English at main sights
- Getting around
- Trams, JR trains and ferries
Why visit
Few places say as much about the twentieth century as Hiroshima. Yet the city is not gloomy: it is lively, walkable and proud of its food, especially its layered okonomiyaki and Seto Inland Sea oysters. Miyajima, officially Itsukushima, adds a sacred island of forest, deer and temples. Together they make one of the most memorable days in Japan.
Hiroshima
The Peace Memorial Park sits on the river delta near ground zero. See the Atomic Bomb Dome, the skeletal ruin kept as a World Heritage Site, the Children's Peace Monument with its paper cranes, and the Cenotaph aligned with the dome. The Peace Memorial Museum tells the story through survivors' belongings and testimony; allow at least two hours and expect it to be emotional. It is busy, so arrive early. Shukkeien garden and the reconstructed Hiroshima Castle are calm counterpoints.
Miyajima
Take a tram or JR train to Miyajimaguchi, then a ferry of about ten minutes. Itsukushima Shrine is built over the water; at high tide the torii floats, at low tide you can walk out to it. Check tide tables before you go. Ride the ropeway or hike up Mount Misen for views over the islands, explore Daisho-in temple, and eat grilled oysters and fresh momiji manju cakes on Omotesando street. The deer are wild, so do not feed them. Miyajima charges a small visitor tax collected with the ferry fare. Staying overnight lets you see the island lit up and peaceful after day visitors leave.
A sample day
Take an early Shinkansen to Hiroshima and walk through the Peace Memorial Park to the museum when it opens. After lunch at Okonomimura, ride the tram or JR train to Miyajimaguchi and cross by ferry. Visit Itsukushima Shrine, climb or ride up Mount Misen if time allows, and catch the torii at high tide before an evening ferry back. If you stay overnight, walk the lit-up waterfront after dark and see the shrine in the quiet early morning.
Where to stay
Near Hiroshima Station is best for trains, and around Hondori and the Peace Park for restaurants and evening walks. On Miyajima, ryokan range from simple to luxurious, and most include dinner.
Further afield
Okunoshima, Rabbit Island, and the hillside temple town of Onomichi are easy trips. Onomichi is also the start of the Shimanami Kaido cycling route across islands to Shikoku.
Food
Hiroshima okonomiyaki layers noodles, cabbage and egg rather than mixing them; Okonomimura has floors of counters. Try oysters in winter, and Hiroshima's tsukemen dipping noodles.
Understanding the history
On 6 August 1945 at 8:15 in the morning, an atomic bomb exploded above central Hiroshima, killing tens of thousands instantly and many more by the end of the year from injuries and radiation. Survivors, called hibakusha, have spent decades telling their stories to promote a world without nuclear weapons. Some still give talks through the museum, and hearing one is unforgettable. Fold a paper crane and leave it at the Children's Peace Monument in memory of Sadako Sasaki.
Getting there and around
Hiroshima is about one hour twenty minutes from Shin-Osaka by Shinkansen. Trams and the free loop buses cover the city, and IC cards work on trams and ferries.
Practical tips
Be respectful in the Peace Park: it is a memorial. The ceremony on August 6 draws large crowds. Plan your days with the free trip planner and see food and stays in our places to visit.
Questions about Hiroshima and Miyajima
Can I visit Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day?
Yes, as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto, but it is a full day. Staying one night makes it far more relaxed.
When is the torii floating?
At high tide. At low tide you can walk to it on the sand. Check the tide table on the Miyajima tourism site before you go.
Is Hiroshima safe from radiation today?
Yes. Radiation levels are the same as anywhere else, and the city has been fully rebuilt and home to over a million people for decades.
Is the Peace Memorial Museum suitable for children?
Some exhibits are graphic. Many families visit with older children; talk with them beforehand and move at their pace.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
