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2 days in Hiroshima, Japan - Is it worth it?
I really wasn’t convinced about visiting Hiroshima and when planning our Japan itinerary, it nearly didn’t make the cut. But my husband was really keen to visit, so we decided to add it in and I’m glad that we did.
Hiroshima surprised me and although the tragic events of the 1945 bombing are what most people know Hiroshima for, there is more to this city than its sad past. In fact, 2 days in Hiroshima is a great addition to your Japan trip.
What is Hiroshima known for?
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If you’re not familiar with Hiroshima’s past, it’s worth bringing yourself up to speed before you visit. Hiroshima was the target of a horrendous nuclear bomb attack during World War 2 which not only destroyed the city beyond recognition but also had devastating long-lasting effects.
The aftermath of the bombing left many survivors with terrible injuries and lifelong conditions caused by radiation poisoning. The radiation also caused complications in unborn babies, meaning that lots of children grew up with mutations or untreatable illnesses. Many people were unable to work due to their health conditions and found themselves in desperate circumstances.
Hiroshima suffered for many years, but eventually managed to rebuild itself into the modern city it is today.
How many days do you need in Hiroshima?
I would recommend 2 days for visiting Hiroshima. This will give you enough time to spend a full day in the city and use the second day to take a trip to Miyajima Island.
Where to stay in Hiroshima?
It’s a good idea to book accommodation near the train station so that once you arrive in Hiroshima (preferably in the morning), you can head straight to your accommodation and ask them to store your luggage so that you can go out and explore for the day.
I stayed at a great budget-friendly hostel, right near the station called Guesthouse Akicafe Inn. I booked a private room with shared bathroom facilities for one night and although the room was small, it was really clean and the owners were very welcoming. Depending on your budget, there are plenty of other accommodation choices around the train station, too.
Hiroshima: A 2-day Itinerary
Day 1 in Hiroshima:
Once you have arrived in Hiroshima and dropped your luggage off at your accommodation, it’s time to spend your first day exploring the city.
Day 1 itinerary overview:
- Hiroshima Castle
- Hiroshima Gatepark & Pacela Shopping Centre
- Atomic Bomb Dome
- Peace Museum & Memorial Park
- Spend the evening in Hondori
Hiroshima castle
Start your first day in Hiroshima by visiting Hiroshima Castle. Unfortunately, like most of the city, the castle was destroyed in the 1945 bombing, however, it has since been completely rebuilt in the original style. The castle is a great example of a traditional Japanese city centre castle, built over 5 stories and surrounded by a moat. In its heyday, the castle would have been the economic and physical centre of the city.
Entry to the castle is 370 yen (£2). Head to the top floor of the castle for 360-degree views over the city. You can also view the exhibits on the other floors and learn about the history of the castle and its reconstruction. If you don’t want to go inside the castle, you can stroll around the grounds and view the castle from the ground completely free of charge.
Hiroshima Gatepark & Pacela Shopping Centre
From Hiroshima Castle, walk through the castle grounds towards the Peace Memorial Park. On your way to the Peace Memorial Park, you’ll arrive at the Hiroshima Gatepark. There are a couple of cafes within the Gatepark if you are starting to feel hungry. Alternatively, you can walk out of the park towards the Pacela shopping centre where you’ll find lots more choices for places to eat.
Atomic Bomb Dome
After your lunch detour, start to head back towards the park to the Atomic bomb Dome. The Atomic bomb Dome is perhaps the most well-known landmark in Hiroshima. The now-iconic building is the ruined remains of the city’s former Industrial Promotion Hall. The bomb was dropped directly above the hall’s domed roof and from there spread out. Incredibly, the hall withstood the impact of the bomb and most of the building’s frame and structure can still be seen today.
After you have taken some time observing the Atomic Dome, cross the river and walk to the Peace Museum.
Peace Museum & Memorial Park
Entrance to the Peace Museum is 200 yen (£1.10). It is worth visiting the museum in order to learn about the history of Hiroshima, but a word of warning, it is quite a difficult experience.
The museum is full of information about some of the victims who lost their lives in the bombing, as well as personal accounts from survivors. There are some really graphic photos and harrowing stories. It is really difficult to even begin to comprehend the devastation and pain experienced by those near the epicentre at the time. The magnitude of the bomb was so great that its effects were felt up to 4 km away.
When travelling, I believe that it is important to take the time to learn about the history and challenges a country has faced, as it gives you a deeper understanding of the people and culture. That’s why I wanted to visit Hiroshima’s Peace Museum and why I also visited the War Memorial Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and the S21 prison in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, however, I appreciate that this is not for everyone.
After visiting the Peace Museum, take some time to reflect and walk around the Peace Memorial Park. There are several monuments and tributes to victims and survivors within the Peace Memorial Park, including the Bell of Peace and Children’s Peace monument. You can also visit the national peace memorial Hall for further quiet reflection.
Spend the evening in Hondori
As the evening draws near, make your way towards the area of Hondori, just a few minutes walk from the Peace Memorial Park. Hondori is a lively hub in the downtown area of the city, known for its covered shopping street and pedestrian arcade, and it is the best place to go in Hiroshima at night. Here, you’ll find many mainstream Japanese and International fashion brands, as well as cafes, western-style pubs, noodle and sushi bars and local izakayas.
The best place to eat in Hiroshima is Okonomimura (Okonomi Village). The bustling food hall is full of small kiosks all serving Hiroshima’s signature okonomiyaki grilled pancakes.
Day 2 in Hiroshima:
Depending on whether you have booked your accommodation for one night or two nights will depend on how early you want to start day 2. We only booked one night in Hiroshima, so we checked out of our accommodation early and stored our luggage with them so that we could enjoy our second and final day without carrying it around.
Daytrip to Miyajima Island
Day 2 in Hiroshima is all about visiting Miyajima island. A day trip to Miyajima island is one of the best things to do when visiting Hiroshima. The small but beautiful island is just a short distance from the city, making it really easy to see without a tour.
The best way to get to Miyajima Island from Hiroshima is to take the train from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station and from there take the short ferry ride across to the island.
Miyajima is famous for the deer that wander freely around the island. It is also known for the Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate – a large red gate which stands in the bay in front of the Itsukushima Jinja shrine. As you travel across the bay on the ferry, you can’t miss the impressive red Torii gate standing out against the backdrop of the island’s forested Mount Misen. There are lots of ways you can spend the day on Miyajima Island – from taking the ropeway up Mount Misen and visiting the various shrine on the island to strolling along the waterfront and sampling Hiroshima’s famous lemons! For a full breakdown of everything to do on Miyajima Island, make sure you check out this blog.
Is Hiroshima worth visiting?
If you are not interested in visiting the memorial museum or the sites connected with Hiroshima’s history and you are limited on time, then you may want to ask yourself whether visiting Hiroshima is worth it for your itinerary.
Personally, I like to learn about the history of a place that I am visiting, however, I appreciate that it can be tough to read about such sobering, tragic events and that isn’t for everyone. Although there are other things to see and do in Hiroshima besides visiting the historic sites, you will still only need a couple of days in this city and it is quite a distance from the other main cities on the typical tourist trail, such as Kyoto and Osaka.
My recommendation would be that if you have time and are interested in history, then Hiroshima is a worthy addition to your Japan itinerary. However, if you are not a fan of museums and historic sites, and you are short on time, then you could easily skip Hiroshima from your itinerary. Although missing out on a trip to Miyajima island would be a shame.
I hope you’ve found this 2-day Hiroshima itinerary useful for planning your trip to Japan. Don’t forget to check out these 28 practical tips for visiting Japan before you leave!
