Hiroshima

Hiroshima is humid and hot in summer, so be sure to use sun protection and stay hydrated when traveling.

Hiroshima combines modern historical sites, Seto Inland Sea scenery, and local food culture. The city and surrounding area are home to two World Heritage Sites, and it is also well suited to short trips to islands and small towns. Below is a classic Hiroshima travel itinerary for reference.

Classic 3-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: History and Culture
  • Morning: After arriving in Hiroshima, head first to Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome. As a World Heritage Site, this area carries the history of World War II and has a solemn atmosphere. Plan 1–2 hours for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, leaving enough time to view the exhibits.

• Afternoon: Walk to Hiroshima Castle, also known as “Carp Castle.” You can climb to the castle tower for views over the city. Afterward, visit nearby Shukkeien Garden, a Japanese-style garden designed with inspiration from Hangzhou’s West Lake.

• Evening: Go to Hondori Shopping Street or Okonomi-mura for dinner and try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki to wrap up your first day.

• Day 2: Miyajima Island Scenery
  • Morning: Take the ferry from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima. After landing, visit Itsukushima Shrine first. At high tide, the large red torii gate appears to stand on the sea; at low tide, you can walk close to the gate to view it and take photos.

• Noon: Have lunch on Omotesando Shopping Street, where you can try charcoal-grilled oysters and momiji manju. The island is home to gentle wild deer, which you can observe up close while sightseeing.

• Afternoon: Take the ropeway up Mount Misen and enjoy distant views of the Seto Inland Sea and surrounding islands from the Shishiiwa Observatory.

• Day 3: Lesser-Known Nearby Trips
  • Option A (Artsy Small Town): Take the JR train to Onomichi, ride the Senkoji-yama Ropeway for views over the sloping streets and lanes, then walk through the “Cat Alley” and try local Onomichi ramen.

• Option B (Animal Encounter): Visit Okunoshima, also known as Rabbit Island. It is about 15 minutes by boat from Tadanoumi Port. The island has around 600 wild rabbits and can be visited as a half-day or full-day trip.

Must-Try Foods

Hiroshima has a distinctive food culture. The following are some of the area’s most representative choices:

• Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki: Unlike Osaka-style okonomiyaki, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is made by layering ingredients. Batter, cabbage, meat, and noodles are grilled in sequence, giving it a more distinct layered texture. You can go to Mitchan Sohonten or Okonomi-mura; the latter gathers more than 20 shops in one building.
• Hiroshima oysters: Hiroshima accounts for 60% of Japan’s oyster production, and the oysters are especially plump in winter (November to March). Common preparations include charcoal-grilled, raw, fried oysters, and oyster dotenabe. You can try them on Miyajima or at izakaya in the city.

• Miyajima anago-meshi (conger eel rice): This is a Miyajima specialty. Conger eel is rich in oil but tastes lighter than freshwater eel. The century-old restaurant Ueno is well known, and it is best to go early and line up.

• Momiji manju: A Miyajima specialty shaped like a maple leaf, made with honey sponge cake filled with red bean paste. Fried momiji manju has a crisp outer layer and soft inside, and also makes a good souvenir.

Transportation and Practical Tips

• Long-distance transport: From Osaka, you can reach Hiroshima Station directly by Shinkansen in about 1.5 hours. There are also direct flights to Hiroshima Airport from places such as Shanghai. From the airport, it takes about 50 minutes by bus to reach the city center.
• Getting around the city: The streetcars (Hiroden) cover the main attractions and are convenient for sightseeing in the city. You can buy a one-day pass (700 yen). For Miyajima, you can choose the 24-hour streetcar + ferry pass for 1,000 yen.
• Miyajima tides: The large torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine is best viewed at high tide, ideally when the water level is above 250 cm. Check the tide times on the official website before setting out.
• Where to stay: Consider staying near Hiroshima Station or Hondori Shopping Street. Both areas offer convenient transport connections and many dining and shopping options nearby.
• Notes: The exhibits at the Peace Memorial Museum can be emotionally heavy, so allow enough time for your visit. Hiroshima is muggy and hot in summer, so be sure to use sun protection. Although the deer on Miyajima are gentle, please do not feed them casually.