Hiroshima is the largest city in the Chugoku region and is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture. Throughout its history, the city had been the center of commerce and trade, as well as the political and military headquarters of past rulers like Emperor Meiji during the First Sino-Japanese War in the mid-1890s.
The city of Hiroshima today is modern and more industrialized, very far from the pictures of the atomic bombing we see in History books. If you want to get a glimpse of the city’s past, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park will take you down memory lane. It is in the heart of the city, covering the explosion’s hypocenter and the surrounding areas. It houses many monuments, museums, and memorials such as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Children’s Peace Monument, Memorial Cenotaph, Peace Flame, and the A-Bomb Dome (or Genbaku Dome), officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1996.
You can get to the city by plane, by train, or by highway buses. The city is served by Hiroshima Airport, Hiroshima Station, and a number of national road/highways. You can navigate around the city by tram (or streetcar), by local buses, and by bicycle. Some attractions are just a few minutes walk from each other like the Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle, and Shukkeien.
If your bucket list includes visiting UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites, you should add Miyajima Island (also Itsukushima Island) to your itinerary. It is famous for its giant torii gate that seems to float during high tide. Miyajima is just about an hour away from downtown Hiroshima. You can also do a day tour to any of these destinations: Onomichi, Okunoshima (Rabbit Island), and Sandankyo Gorge.
If you are planning to visit Hiroshima soon, don’t forget to try the city’s gastronomic specialties — Okonomiyaki, oysters, and shirunashi tantanmen (ramen). Here are sample itineraries. Note: This assumes that you’ll be coming from Fukuoka Airport.
Option 1: Hiroshima + Miyajima (3D/2N)
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Fukuoka Airport
Collect Pocket Wifi at Arrival Hall (Note: Closes at 9:30 PM)
Travel to Hiroshima
Hotel Check-in
Dinner
Day 2: City Tour + Miyajima
Wake up + Breakfast
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
- Atomic Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Hiroshima Castle
Travel to Miyajimaguchi
Arrival at the ferry terminal
Ferry to Miyajima Island
Quick Lunch
Itsukushima Shrine
Giant Torii Gate
Hotel Check-in
Continue exploring Miyajima
Dinner
Day 3: Departure
Wake up
Early check out
Ferry back to the mainland
Brunch (Breakfast/Lunch)
Travel to Fukuoka Airport
Airline Check-in
Flight out
Option 2: Hiroshima + Miyajima + Onomichi (4D/3N)
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Fukuoka Airport
Collect Pocket Wifi at Arrival Hall (Note: Closes at 9:30 PM)
Travel to Hiroshima
Hotel Check-in
Dinner
Day 2: Miyajima + City Tour
Wake up + Breakfast
Travel to Miyajimaguchi
Arrival at the ferry terminal
Ferry to Miyajima Island
Miyajima Island
- Itsukushima Shrine
- Giant Torii Gate
- Explore Miyajima
Lunch
Ferry back to the mainland
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
- Atomic Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Hiroshima Castle
Dinner
Day 3: Onomichi
Wake up
Travel to Onomichi
Path of Literature
Lunch
Senkoji Ropeway
Senkoji Park/Temple
Tenneiji
Saikakuji
Cat Alley/Trail
Onomichi Hondori Shopping Arcade
Travel back to Hiroshima
Dinner
Day 4: Departure
Wake up
Check out
Travel to Fukuoka Airport
Airline Check-in
Flight out
Note: Depending on your interest, you can replace Onomichi with Sandankyo Gorge or Rabbit Island.
Option 3: Fukuoka + Hiroshima (4D/3N)
Day 0: Arrival
Arrival at Fukuoka Airport
Collect Pocket Wifi at Arrival Hall (Note: Closes at 9:30 PM)
Board bus to city center (Hakata or Tenjin area)
Check-in at the hotel
Day 1: Hakata
Wake up
Subway to Kidonanzoinmae Station
Explore Nanzoin Shine & Reclining Buddha (FREE)
Subway to Hakata Station
Lunch
Guided Walking Tour (Shopping or Historical; with fee)
Explore Canal City
Dinner
Day 2: Nokonoshima Island + Tenjin
Travel to Hiroshima
Hotel Check-in
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
- Atomic Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Hiroshima Castle
Food Trip/Dinner
Day 3: Miyajima Island
Wake up + Breakfast
Travel to Miyajimaguchi
Arrival at the ferry terminal
Ferry to Miyajima Island
Miyajima Island
- Itsukushima Shrine
- Giant Torii Gate
- Explore Miyajima
Lunch
Ferry back to the mainland
Shopping
Dinner
Day 4: Departure
Wake up
Check out
Travel to Fukuoka Airport
Airline Check-in
Flight out
Hiroshima Essentials
 Pocket Wi-fi Stay Internet-connected while in Hiroshima! ➡️ RESERVE HERE |
 5-Day Pass (KIX Pick Up) Explore Kansai and Hiroshima! ➡️ RESERVE HERE |
 ICOCA Card Easy access to train, subway and buses! ➡️ RESERVE HERE |
 JR Pass Unlimited train rides within the JR network. ➡️ RESERVE HERE |
Top Hiroshima Hotels
 Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY |
 Candeo Hotels Hiroshima Hatchobori ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY |
 Hiroshima Washington Hotel ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY |
 Hotel Granvia Hiroshima ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY |
