Hiroshima Travelers Recommend

With three days in Hiroshima, you can check off the top city sights, sample some okonomiyaki, trek to the top of a mountain, and even travel a little farther afield. Here’s how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: Explore Hiroshima City

On your first day, get to know the city. Hiroshima suffered enormous damage at the end of World War II, when it was hit by an atomic bomb. Visit Peace Memorial Park to learn about the victims as well as the events leading up to the bombing. Later, make your way to Hiroshima Castle. Built in the 1590s, the castle was destroyed by the bomb and reconstructed in the 1950s. There’s a history museum inside, and the top floor offers sweeping views of the city. Many Hiroshima walking and biking tours stop by multiple attractions. For dinner, sample some Hiroshima okonomiyaki (fried pancakes with noodles and various savory toppings) or other local delicacies on a nighttime food tour.

Day 2: Visit Miyajima Island

On the second day, take a short ferry ride to Miyajima. Many travelers have seen photographs of the 12th-century Itsukushima Shrine and the red torii (gate) that stands in the water, but that doesn’t make your first glimpse any less impressive. The shrine and the torii appear differently depending on the tide. Other Miyajima activities include hiking or taking the cable car to the top of Mount Misen, and visiting various museums and temples. To extend your stay on the island, check in to a traditional Japanese ryokan (inn) for the night, then soak in an onsen bath and dine on local cuisine.

Day 3: Head to Iwakuni

Located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Hiroshima, the midsize city of Iwakuni makes for an easy day trip. Don’t miss seeing the Kintai Bridge with its five wooden arches—particularly at night, when it’s illuminated. Built in the late 17th century, completely without nails or bolts, the bridge washed away during a typhoon in 1950. It was eventually rebuilt using the original construction methods.

Alternatively, if you spent your second night on Miyajima, you might prefer to spend your last day exploring the Seto Inland Sea, in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard.

Replete with history and culture, Hiroshima also happens to be located near some beautiful natural attractions. Two days give you enough time to explore the city and get out to Miyajima, an island with hiking trails, views, and an iconic temple. Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours in Hiroshima.

Day 1: Tour the City

Morning: Hiroshima is synonymous with the atomic bombing of 1945. Start your first day at Peace Memorial Park to better understand World War II history. The most striking part of the park is the Atomic Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which partially withstood the bombing despite having been located almost directly beneath the bomb’s hypocenter. Most half-day Hiroshima walking and cycling tours include a visit to Peace Memorial Park.

Afternoon: After lunch, check out Hiroshima Castle. Built in the 1590s, the castle was destroyed by the atomic bomb and rebuilt in the 1950s. Inside is a history museum, and don’t miss the views of the city from the top floor.

Night: Time to sample some of Hiroshima’s food specialties. Hiroshima is famous for its oysters and okonomiyaki— fried pancakes with various savory toppings. Debate rages in Japan over whether Hiroshima or Kansai (Osaka) makes the best okonomiyaki. (Hiroshima’s version includes noodles.) Try for yourself and see which you prefer. For a fun way to discover the locals’ favorite spots, join a nighttime food tour.

Day 2: Visit Miyajima

Morning: On your second day in Hiroshima, hop on a ferry and head to the nearby island of Miyajima (formally called Itsukushima). Spend the morning exploring the Itsukushima Shrine. The red torii (gate) standing in the water just offshore is one of the most famous postcard views in Japan.

Afternoon: There’s more to Miyajima than just the shrine. Head up Mount Misen, the island’s highest peak. Active travelers can hike up along the forested trails. Alternatively, take the cable car up. On clear days, there are sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea between Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Some tours of Miyajima include a guided trek to the summit.

Night: End your stay in Hiroshima with some good old-fashioned karaoke fun. Gather your travel companions and rent a private room in a karaoke bar for a few hours, where you can order in food and drinks—and nobody else has to hear how good (or bad) your singing is.

Although most people associate Hiroshima with the atomic bombing that it suffered at the end of World War II, there’s much more to the modern city than its sobering history. You can experience many of Hiroshima’s layers in one day, from the bomb-related sites to the medieval castle and the city’s vibrant dining scene. Here’s how.

Morning: Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Start your day at Peace Memorial Park, which commemorates the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and educates travelers about World War II. Wander around the park’s many areas, from museums and memorials to the distinctive Atomic Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was located almost directly beneath the bomb’s hypocenter. The building’s shell survived, including the wire supports of the building’s dome. Most half-day Hiroshima walking and cycling tours include a visit to Peace Memorial Park.

Afternoon: Explore Hiroshima Castle

After lunch, make your way to Hiroshima Castle. Built in the 1590s, the castle was an important center of power in Western Japan. Later destroyed by the atomic bomb, the castle was rebuilt in the 1950s. Check out the history museum inside, and the views of Hiroshima from the top floor. In the spring, the castle is surrounded by cherry blossoms. If you have time afterward, head over to the nearby Hiroshima Museum of Art.

Night: Sample the Local Food

An ideal night out in Hiroshima involves sampling the local delicacies. Hiroshima is famous for its oysters—and then there’s okonomiyaki, fried savory pancakes with various toppings. The Kansai-versus-Hiroshima okonomiyaki rivalry is to Japan what the New-York-versus-Chicago pizza rivalry is to the United States. Hiroshima okonomiyaki typically includes noodles, and is layered rather than mixed together in a batter. Hiroshima has thousands of restaurants and stalls selling okonomiyaki, so no need to look far for a tasty dinner. Nighttime food and bar-hopping tours are a fun way to discover the locals’ favorite spots.