Hiroshima Japan 2 Day Itinerary: Hiroshima Castle, Peace Park and Museum, Itsukushima Shrine
Hiroshima Japan is most known as being the location where American forces dropped an atomic bomb in 1945. Over 11.5 million people visit Hiroshima Japan each year for its atomic bomb history. But there are many things to do in Hiroshima. The area is also famous for the Hiroshima Castle, okonomiyaki pancakes, and the nearby Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. Continue reading for a step-by-step Hiroshima Japan 2-Day Itinerary.
There are many amazing things to do in Hiroshima Japan. One of Hiroshima’s must-see attractions is Hiroshima Peace Park and Memorial Museum. If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, be sure to visit Mitaki-Dera Temple. If you love spending time outdoors you may want to hike up Mount Misen. As you can see, you will have no problem filling your 2 days in Hiroshima with amazing experiences. Be sure to eat okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake with cabbage and pork. Enjoy your time out of the office!
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How to Spend Two Days in Hiroshima Japan
How to get to Hiroshima
Arrive at Hiroshima Station and drop your bags at your hotel. Be sure to choose a hotel close to the station to make transportation around the city easy. (I rented an Airbnb and will not be recommending it). The Randor Hotel Hiroshima Prestige is a little more expensive but has great reviews and is close to the train station, check it out.
If you have a Japan Rail Pass or a participating regional JR Pass, then you can use it for unlimited rides on Hiroshima’s Sightseeing Loop Buses. They’re a network of tourist buses with three set routes around the major tourist attractions in central Hiroshima.
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Day One Hiroshima: Hiroshima Castle, Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Park and Memorial Museum, Hondori Shopping Street, Okonomiyaki Pancakes
Catch the Hiroshima Sightseeing Bus free with a JR Pass at the Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Entrance (Platform 2). Take the Orange Line 12:00 bus, the bus runs in a loop every hour. You may also purchase a day pass, check the Hiroshima Sightseeing Bus website for more information. Alternatively, there’s a tram stop right outside the south exit/entrance of Hiroshima Station. Routes #2 (red) and #6 (yellow) will take you to Genbaku-dome-mae (A-Bomb Dome) station.
Exit the bus at Hiroshima Castle and explore the gardens, 1 hour
Jump back on the bus and make your way to the Atomic Bomb Dome. Cross the bridge and walk past the Children’s Peace Monument, Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall, and Prayer Fountain on the way to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, 1 hour.
Arrive at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and expect to spend 2 hours in the museum. Note: the museum does not take reservations and the last sightseeing bus pick-up at Peace Park is at 5:45.
Cross the river and take a walk down Hondori Shopping Street browsing for souvenirs, 1 hour.
Board the bus at the Peace Park stop and exit at the Shintenchi stop for okonomiyaki pancakes, a local specialty. Okonomiyaki Mura is directly in front of the stop and has many smaller restaurants inside to choose from. Note: the last sightseeing bus pick-up at Shintenchi is 5:52.
Hiroshima is also well known for grilled oysters. I tried the okonomiyaki, crab miso and gratin. They were all great, but, if I ordered again, I would get all 3 okonomiyaki.
Return to Hiroshima station and continue to the hotel. If you miss the last sightseeing bus you can grab a taxi or take the local bus marked Hiroshima Station for 220 yen at the time of this writing.
Have more time? Consider visiting Shukkeien Garden, the Mazda Museum, see the Buddhist statues at Mitaki-Dera Temple, or take in the view from Senkoji Temple.
Day Two Miyajima Island: Itsukushima Shrine, Toyokuni Shrine Pagoda, Daishoin Temple, Miyajima Ropeway
How to Get to Miyajima Island from Hiroshima
Take the JR train from the Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station via the San-yo Line, Local Iwakuni, 9 stops, 30 minutes. Walk 3 minutes to JR Miyajima Ferry, 10-minute ride.
Tip: sit on the right side of the ferry for a view of the Torii gates as you approach.
Visitors to Miyajima have to pay a 100 yen visitor tax collected by the ferry operator. If you are using the JR Pass you do not have to wait in line. Purchase your tax ticket from the JR tax ticket machine to the right of the departure gate.
DIY Walking Tour of Miyajima Island
Exit the ferry and walk 15 to the Itsukushima Jinja saying hello to the local deer on the way. Pay to enter the shrine, expect a long line.
Pass the Itsukushima Jinja Tahoto Pagoda on the way to the Daisho-in Temple and Henjo Cave, a 5-minute walk
Leave the temple and make your way to Momijidani Park stopping at the Momiji Bridge for photos, a 15-minute walk
Consider taking the Miyajima Ropeway up Mt Misen for views of the tiny islands in the water below, allow 2 hours
Make your way back toward the ferry port stopping at Toyokuni Shrine Five-Story Pagoda on the way, a 25-minute walk
Have lunch and do some shopping on Omotesandō Shopping Street before returning to Hiroshima. Be sure to try Momiji. I tried lemon, chocolate, and matcha, the matcha was really bland.
Day trips from Hiroshima Japan
Check out the hot springs, beaches, and temples in Onomichi
Walk the Motonosumi Inari Shrine, a series of 123 torii gates on the cliff of the Sea of Japan
Go for a hike in the Sandankyo Gorge
Feed the bunnies at Okunoshima (Rabbit Island)
Be sure to check the Japan Office of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Plan Your Trip to Hiroshima Japan
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Hiroshima Attractions and Day Tours
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Enjoy your time out of the office!
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