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Hiroshima Travel Itinerary Guide
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Hiroshima Travel Itinerary Guide

Complete Guide to Planning a Hiroshima ItineraryA practical travel route guide covering Hiroshima's top landmarks, scenic nearby towns, and connections to Shikoku.

Hiroshima is an ideal destination for a 2-night or 3-night trip. The main attractions are clustered in the city center, and charming nearby towns are well connected by rail. Here is a guide to the best travel routes and recommended itineraries to suit your style.

1. Key Points to Remember When Planning Your Trip

  • Check the Tides for Miyajima: To see the famous red torii gate standing in the water, you must check the high tide and low tide times in advance to plan your visit.
  • Choose Accommodation Based on Your Route: Stay around Hiroshima Station if you plan to take the Shinkansen or travel to nearby areas often. Stay around Kamiya-cho or Hondori if you want easy access to local restaurants and night views.
  • Choose the Right Travel Pass: To save on transportation costs, match your itinerary with the right pass: use the Tabi Pass or Gururin Pass for city sightseeing, or the Hiroshima Wide Pass if traveling as far as Tomonoura and Fukuyama.
  • Stay in Nearby Towns to Save Time: Hiroshima is west of Hiroshima Airport, while Onomichi is to the east. A day trip from Hiroshima city to Onomichi takes 3 to 4 hours round-trip. Staying in Onomichi or Mihara on your first or last day can save travel time and energy.

This efficient itinerary focuses on Hiroshima's two must-see World Heritage Sites: the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine.

Day 1: Exploring Downtown Hiroshima

  • Morning/Afternoon: Arrive at Hiroshima Airport and travel to the city center ➔ Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome ➔ Orizuru Tower (Observation Deck) ➔ Stroll through Shukkeien Garden (Japanese-style garden).
  • Evening: Shopping in the lively Hondori district ➔ Enjoy Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and fresh grilled oysters with a drink at Okonomimura.

Day 2: Exploring the Mystical Miyajima Island

  • Morning: Take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Miyajimaguchi Station ➔ Board the ferry to Miyajima Island ➔ Visit Itsukushima Shrine to see the red torii gate standing in the sea.
  • Afternoon: Have anagomeshi (conger eel rice) for lunch in the shopping street ➔ Walk through Momijidani Park and ride the Mt. Misen Ropeway for beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea ➔ Try agemomiji (deep-fried maple manju) as a snack.
  • Evening: Return to the city center and enjoy soupless tantanmen or spicy Hiroshima tsukemen.

Day 3: History and Shopping

  • Morning: Visit and walk around Hiroshima Castle ➔ Shop for souvenirs like Setouchi lemon desserts at ekie, a large shopping mall inside JR Hiroshima Station.
  • Afternoon: Take the airport limousine bus to the airport for departure.

This relaxed itinerary allows you to explore downtown Hiroshima fully and visit beautiful seaside towns that look like scenes from a movie.

  • Day 1: Arrive in Hiroshima ➔ Visit Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and Orizuru Tower ➔ Explore Hondori Shopping Arcade and have okonomiyaki for dinner.
  • Day 2: Spend a full day on Miyajima Island (Itsukushima Shrine, Mt. Misen Ropeway, and food stalls in the shopping street) ➔ Return to the city center for a full-course oyster dinner.
  • Day 3: Day Trip to a Nearby Town (Choose One)
    • Option A (Onomichi): Explore Onomichi, a town known for its calm sea, steep hills, and charming cat alleys (visit the Senkoji Park Observation Deck) ➔ Try local Onomichi ramen.
    • Option B (Tomonoura): Visit the quiet, historic port town of Tomonoura, which inspired the Studio Ghibli film Ponyo (The Hiroshima Wide Pass is highly recommended).
    • Option C (Okunoshima): Visit Okunoshima (Rabbit Island), a relaxing island home to hundreds of wild rabbits.
    • Option D (Okunoshima + Onomichi): If you start early, you can combine both places into a single day trip. (Be sure to check the ferry schedules for Okunoshima in advance.)
  • Day 4: Visit Shukkeien Garden or the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) ➔ Shop at the ekie mall ➔ Head to the airport for departure.

4. [Smart Route] 3-Night Itinerary Starting from Onomichi/Mihara

This route maximizes travel efficiency by moving straight to a nearby town in the east on your first day to stay overnight. You can also reverse this route by staying in Hiroshima first and spending your last night in Onomichi or Mihara.

  • Day 1: Airport ➔ Onomichi/Mihara (Stay in a Regional Town)
    • Afternoon: Arrive at Hiroshima Airport ➔ Take a direct bus to Onomichi or Mihara ➔ Check in to your hotel.
    • Evening: Walk along the seaside promenade ➔ Enjoy a bowl of rich Onomichi ramen or Mihara's local octopus rice (takomeshi) with a drink.
  • Day 2: Onomichi Sightseeing ➔ Move to Hiroshima City Center
    • Morning: Take the Senkoji Park Ropeway for views of the Seto Inland Sea ➔ Walk along the hillside paths and cat alleys.
    • Afternoon: Take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Hiroshima Station ➔ Check in to your city hotel ➔ Visit Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and Orizuru Tower.
    • Evening: Explore the Hondori downtown area ➔ Have dinner at a Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki specialty restaurant.
  • Day 3: Full Day on Miyajima Island
    • Morning/Afternoon: Take the ferry to Miyajima Island ➔ Visit Itsukushima Shrine (floating red torii gate) ➔ Have anagomeshi (conger eel rice) for lunch ➔ Ride the Mt. Misen Ropeway and try grilled oysters in the shopping street.
    • Evening: Return to the city center and try spicy Hiroshima tsukemen or soupless tantanmen.
  • Day 4: Shopping and Departure
    • Morning: Stroll through Shukkeien Garden or visit Hiroshima Castle ➔ Shop for souvenirs at the ekie mall inside Hiroshima Station.
    • Afternoon: Take the airport limousine bus ➔ Departure.

5. Tips for Traveling to Shikoku (Matsuyama)

If you book an open-jaw flight (arriving at one airport and departing from another), you can create an efficient route that includes the nearby Shikoku region across the Seto Inland Sea.

Example: 3-Night Itinerary (Hiroshima IN - Matsuyama OUT)

  • Day 1: Arrive at Hiroshima Airport ➔ Explore downtown Hiroshima and try local food.
  • Day 2: Spend a full day sightseeing on Miyajima Island (Itsukushima Shrine and Mt. Misen).
  • Day 3: Take a cruise ferry or high-speed boat from Hiroshima Port ➔ Cross the Seto Inland Sea to Matsuyama ➔ Relax in the hot springs at Dogo Onsen and explore the Dogo shopping street.
  • Day 4: Visit Matsuyama Castle, ride the historic Botchan Train ➔ Head to Matsuyama Airport for departure.