In the event you’re planning to take a day journey to Hiroshima from Kyoto or Osaka, my one-day itinerary may also help you profit from your time right here.
Most individuals will know Hiroshima by way of black and white pictures displaying the aftermath of the atomic bomb that was dropped right here throughout World Struggle II.
Practically eighty years have handed since that day and the town has rebuilt itself to turn out to be a vigorous, thriving area with high-rise buildings and wonderful inexperienced areas. Aside from the Atomic Bomb Dome and the various memorials, it’s nearly not possible to inform that this metropolis was fully destroyed.
Hiroshima has turn out to be a centre advocating for world peace – a reminder of what occurred right here in the course of the battle, and hopefully a lesson for future generations.
I spent a few weeks in Hiroshima on one in all my prolonged Japan journeys and had the pleasure of exploring the town fairly extensively. Ideally, you’d spend no less than a few days in Hiroshima – particularly because the Peace Memorial Museum is kind of emotional. However if you happen to’re quick on time, you should use my one-day Hiroshima itinerary to see the vast majority of highlights.
Hiroshima Day Journey Overview & Map
In the event you solely have sooner or later in Hiroshima, I like to recommend visiting Hiroshima Fortress, the Peace Memorial Museum and the surrounding sights. You need to use this map that will help you navigate the town:
To get across the metropolis, you possibly can use the trams that join all components of the town. You need to use your Suica/Pasmo card to pay per trip. Alternatively, you will get the Hiroshima Vacationer Move for sooner or later, which provides you limitless rides on public transport throughout the metropolis.
In the event you solely have sooner or later in Hiroshima, I’d additionally extremely suggest trying out the free strolling excursions from Hiroshima Localized. We did one in all these excursions throughout our time in Hiroshima, and it was top-of-the-line and most informative strolling excursions we’ve performed to date.
The excursions are held twice a day, are in English and are tip-based. They final round 2.5 hours, providing you with sufficient time to go to the Peace Museum and eat okonomiyaki afterwards.
One Day Hiroshima Itinerary
In the event you’re taking a day journey to Hiroshima from Kyoto or Osaka, you possibly can observe this itinerary to see the primary highlights:
1. Go to Hiroshima Fortress
After arriving in Hiroshima from Kyoto or Osaka, your first cease might be Hiroshima Fortress. From Hiroshima Station, it’s a 20-minute stroll to get to the fort. You too can use the bus. You’ll be able to go to the grounds of Hiroshima Fortress at no cost, however there’s a small entrance price if you wish to go inside.
Hiroshima Fortress, also referred to as Carp Fortress, was initially constructed on the finish of the sixteenth century and was named a Nationwide Treasure in 1931. Sadly, it was fully destroyed by the atomic bomb. The present fort was inbuilt 1958, 13 years after the bombing. Inside, you’ll find a museum – personally, I didn’t assume it was price going inside, particularly if you happen to solely have sooner or later.
There isn’t loads to see on the fort grounds, as not all of the buildings have been restored. Nevertheless it’s changed into a stunning inexperienced space, so it makes for a stunning begin to your day in Hiroshima.
It’s price stopping by Gokoku Shrine earlier than you permit the fort grounds although. This Shinto Shrine was additionally rebuilt after being destroyed by the bomb – it’s nonetheless one of many largest Shinto Shrines within the metropolis. It’s a highly regarded spot for New Yr’s celebrations.
One other particular spot to take a look at earlier than you permit is the massive Eucalyptus tree proper earlier than the exit. It stands solely 740 meters from the hypocentre of the atomic bomb, and it one way or the other survived the blast. On our strolling tour, the information confirmed us a black-and-white image of it standing tall among the many rubble.
2. Stroll Across the Atomic Bomb Dome
From Hiroshima Fortress, you possibly can stroll by way of Hiroshima Gate Park in the direction of the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome). This could take round quarter-hour.
After the bomb flattened many of the metropolis, the Atomic Bomb Dome (previously referred to as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Corridor) was one of many only a few buildings that remained upright. Particularly because it’s positioned so near the hypocentre of the bomb, it’s a miracle that some components of it weren’t fully destroyed.
Ultimately, it was determined to protect the constructing on this state, as a logo of what occurred right here on 6 August 1945. In 1996, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
You can’t enter the constructing for apparent causes, however you possibly can stroll round its remaining shell. It’s a sobering sight, realizing that every thing surrounding this constructing was wiped away inside seconds after the bomb detonated.
Simply behind the Atomic Bomb Dome, you’ll find the Hiroshima Orizuru Tower. From the remark deck, you’ll get a lovely view over the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome and the town’s skyline. Whereas stunning, I believe the ¥2,200 entree price per individual is fairly steep – I’d personally skip it sooner or later.
3. See the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Hypocentre Monument
At 8:15 am on 6 August 1945, the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped. It exploded round 600 meters above this precise spot and nearly immediately destroyed the town. Tens of 1000’s of individuals died immediately, and within the weeks and months following the assault, much more died as a result of radiation poisoning. In complete, it’s estimated that the bomb killed 140,000 folks by the tip of 1945.
The Hypocentre Monument is a bit difficult to seek out because it’s positioned on an everyday avenue, in between a few tall buildings. It solely takes a couple of minutes to get there from the Atomic Bomb Dome, so it’s positively price stopping by. It’s a bit chilling seeing it and standing there although.
When Richard and I had been studying the plaque, an older Japanese girl stopped by and requested us the place we had been from. We had a brief chat, however throughout this, she instructed us she was solely a few kilometres away when the bomb dropped. Assembly somebody who survived this catastrophe was
I nonetheless take into consideration her each time I hear something about Hiroshima, particularly after having visited the museum proper after assembly her. It impacted me rather a lot.
4. See Among the Monuments within the Peace Memorial Park
Situated on a form of island between two rivers within the coronary heart of Hiroshima, the Peace Memorial Park is a quiet park remembering all of the lives that had been misplaced within the aftermath of the world’s first nuclear bomb.
Contained in the park, you’ll find numerous monuments. One of the crucial well-known ones is the Youngsters’s Peace Monument, devoted to the kids who died in the course of the assault. The statue of the little lady holding a folded paper crane is predicated on Sadako Sasaki.
On account of the bomb, she developed leukaemia and sadly handed away. Within the hospital, she began her purpose to fold 1,000 paper cranes. In accordance with a Japanese legend (senbazuru), you’ll be granted a want if you happen to fold over 1,000 paper cranes.
These days, folks worldwide ship paper cranes to Hiroshima as a logo of peace. They’re hung close to her statue – there are literally thousands of them in thick rows. Numerous paper cranes are added always, so older ones are recycled and made into postcards which you should buy on the tourism centre subsequent door.
5. Cease by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Relaxation Home
Earlier than we head over to the Peace Memorial Museum, I believe it’s additionally price stopping by the Relaxation Home. In 2020, the constructing was fully renovated and opened as a vacationer centre. It’s free to go to, which additionally contains the basement exhibition, which I believe is unmissable throughout your day in Hiroshima.
On the day of the bombing, 37 folks had been working contained in the constructing. Solely one in all them, Eizo Nomura, survived as he was within the basement in search of some paperwork on the time the bomb exploded.
Within the basement, you’ll find an exhibition displaying the memoirs of Eizo Nomura. You’ll be able to examine what he skilled and noticed, together with drawings and images of the aftermath of the bomb. It’s fairly chilling and sobering to learn, however I believe it provides loads to your go to to Hiroshima.
6. See the Flame of Peace
When making your approach to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, you’ll go the Flame of Peace. There are lots of peace monuments to see within the park and on the stroll main as much as the museum, however the Flame of Peace deserves an additional point out right here.
Once I walked by it the primary time, I believed the flame represented that we now reside in peace. A logo that peace is maintained, however that’s not it!
On our strolling tour, we discovered that the flame reveals that nuclear weapons are nonetheless in existence. The flame was lit on 1st August 1964 and can burn till all nuclear weapons have disappeared from this world. A robust image.
7. Go to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
In the event you solely have sooner or later in Hiroshima, you possibly can’t skip the Peace Memorial Museum. Whereas very heavy and emotional, the museum is one thing I’ll by no means forget. The exhibition guides you thru the occasions of the bombing, reveals tales and images of the folks of Hiroshima and left me with a lump in my throat on a number of events.
Seeing the artefacts, the belongings of people that didn’t survive, and the letters of people that did survive made all of it really feel far more actual. It’s a chilling, deeply transferring expertise. I gained’t share an excessive amount of about what’s inside, as I imagine the museum does an unbelievable job at educating guests.
Clearly, everyone knows what occurred right here, however studying the tales of people that lived by way of it added so many layers of the horrors and struggling that occurred right here. A few of it’s fairly graphic, but it surely actually reveals the horrors of what occurred right here. I considered the lady who spoke with us on the hypocentre memorial and I couldn’t even think about the horrors she will need to have lived by way of – particularly seeing every thing within the museum.
Tickets to enter are solely ¥200 and it’s finest to account for round 2–3 hours of visiting the entire museum. Lots of the indicators are in English too, so it’s not an issue if you happen to don’t converse Japanese. There’s additionally an choice to get the audio information for an extra ¥400. The opening instances differ barely relying on what month you go to, however you’ll find all of the correct opening instances on the official web site.
For this Hiroshima day journey itinerary, I’ve put visiting the museum as one of many final issues to do. The rationale for that is that it’s a really emotional expertise. We had been fortunate that we had a few weeks in Hiroshima as a result of after we visited the museum, we each didn’t really feel like doing the rest afterwards.
I believe it’s essential for everyone to go to it and find out about Hiroshima’s devastating historical past and the way it impacted so many lives, however don’t be stunned if the go to itself impacts you greater than it’s possible you’ll anticipate.
Relying on how a lot time you’ve gotten left after visiting the museum, you possibly can head in the direction of Hondōri Purchasing Road. This lined purchasing avenue has a lot of retailers and locations to eat and drink.
8. Eat Hiroshima-Model Okonomiyaki
Earlier than heading again to Kyoto or Osaka, you possibly can’t go away Hiroshima with out having Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki is a highly regarded dish in Japan, particularly in Hiroshima and Osaka. It’s basically a savoury pancake with cabbage, egg, flour and different substances of selection.
Osaka-style and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki are fairly totally different although, so it’s price attempting the Hiroshima-style model whereas within the metropolis. I personally desire it over the Osaka-style model (don’t inform Osaka!).
In Osaka-style okonomiyaki, all of the substances are blended collectively earlier than the combination is placed on the grill. Hiroshima-styled okonomiyaki layers the substances and cooks them individually. They typically additionally embrace yakisoba noodles and a fried egg – scrumptious!
There are numerous spots to attempt okonomiyaki in Hiroshima, however one of the best one I had throughout my time within the metropolis was at Hiroshima Okonomi Monogatari. It’s positioned close to the station, making it the right cease earlier than heading again to Osaka or Kyoto.
It’s positioned on the sixth flooring and there are 15 totally different okonomiyaki stalls to select from. Most of them make the dish on the grill in entrance of you. It’s tremendous enjoyable and completely scrumptious!
Okonomimura is one other fashionable spot to attempt Okonomiyaki, which is positioned a bit nearer to the town centre. It’s the same idea, the place a number of okonomiyaki eating places supply eating experiences. I personally most well-liked Okonomi Monogatari although!
How you can get to Hiroshima
You’ll be able to simply take a day journey to Hiroshima from Kyoto or Osaka. I wouldn’t advise taking a day journey to Hiroshima from Tokyo, because it’s method an excessive amount of travelling for sooner or later (round 4 hours on the bullet prepare a method). Beneath, I’ll clarify the best and most cost-effective routes to take:
How you can Take a Day Journey to Hiroshima from Kyoto
Taking a day journey to Hiroshima from Kyoto is finest performed by Shinkansen (bullet prepare). From Kyoto Station, you should use the Tokaido or Sanyo Shinkansen Line to get to Hiroshima Station in round 1 hour and 40 minutes with out altering trains.
You too can get on a prepare to Shin-Osaka first, and alter to the Shinkansen to Hiroshima. This can take a bit longer, so it’s higher to make use of the primary, direct choice.
There are cheaper bus companies working between Kyoto and Hiroshima too, nevertheless, these will take loads longer (between six and eight hours). Until you’re taking an in a single day bus, this will not be an choice if you happen to solely have sooner or later in Hiroshima.
In the event you’re utilizing the JR Move, you’ll have to pay a complement when utilizing the Nozomi and Mizuho companies. With the Kansai-Hiroshima Space Move, the journey between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima on the Nozomi and Mizuho companies is included with out the necessity to pay a complement cost.
How you can Take a Day Journey to Hiroshima from Osaka
Taking a day journey to Hiroshima from Osaka is finest performed by Shinkansen too. You’ll first must get to Shin-Osaka Station, which is Osaka’s Shinkansen station. From there, you will get on the Sanyo Line, which is able to take you to Hiroshima Station inside 1 hour and half-hour.
In the event you’re utilizing the nationwide JR Move, you’ll must pay a complement cost when utilizing the Nozomi and Mizuho companies. Because it’s not loads quicker than the Sakura Shinkansen, I’d suggest utilizing the Sakura service as a substitute and avoid wasting cash. In the event you use the Kansai-Hiroshima Space Move, the complete journey is roofed, together with Nozomi and Mizuho companies, and there’s no must pay the complement cost.
You too can use the Hikari service, which is a bit slower and can take round 2 hours and quarter-hour. The native prepare between Osaka and Hiroshima is loads cheaper than the Shinkansen, but it surely’ll take six hours, which gained’t be an choice if you happen to’re planning to solely spend sooner or later in Hiroshima.
Taking the bus is one other low-cost different, however once more, this can take loads longer. There’s an in a single day bus choice which leaves Osaka round 11–11:30 pm and can get you to Hiroshima for round 5–6 am.
Can You Do Hiroshima as a Day Journey?
Whereas it’s completely doable to go to Hiroshima on a day journey from Osaka or Kyoto, I’d suggest staying for at least a few days. Hiroshima is a spot that may persist with you – visiting the Peace Memorial Museum and Peace Park is a vital reminder that we are able to study from historical past. However there’s additionally loads to do outdoors of those highlights.
Hiroshima has rebuilt itself to turn out to be a centre of peace, and it will be a disgrace to must rush by way of a few of these essential locations. Particularly because the Peace Memorial Museum will undoubtedly go away you a bit unsettled, it will be very best to spend a bit longer in Hiroshima.
On prime of that, including a day journey to Miyajima from Hiroshima is one thing I’d extremely suggest. This stunning island is known for its iconic floating torii gate and makes for an ideal addition to your Hiroshima itinerary.
Nonetheless, I perceive that there are numerous locations in Japan you most likely need to go to and it’s not possible to cram all of them right into a quick itinerary. That’s why I’ve put collectively this one-day itinerary, so that you’ll nonetheless be capable to see the primary highlights on a day journey. You’ll be able to all the time come again sooner or later!
Conclusion – Is Visiting Hiroshima Price It?
Hiroshima is 100% price visiting, even if you happen to solely have sooner or later to see a few of the highlights. You might ponder whether it’s price visiting if you happen to’re not concerned about historical past, however I believe that visiting the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum are extremely useful experiences for everyone. These will persist with you.
Particularly because it’s really easy to get right here from Osaka or Kyoto, Hiroshima makes for an ideal addition to your Japan itinerary. You gained’t remorse it!