Planning a Hiroshima day journey from Kyoto or Osaka? Our in the future itinerary exhibits you find out how to benefit from your time on this well-known metropolis.
From the floating vermillion gate of Itsukushima Shrine to the blue waves lapping on the banks of the Motoyasu River, Hiroshima is likely one of the most stunning locations we’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting in Japan.
We perceive that many individuals’s first introduction to Hiroshima is thru black-and-white photographs of the whole devastation the town sustained after the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945.
Over seventy years have handed since that fateful day. Nevertheless, it’s with nice pleasure that we get to reveal how Hiroshima has since change into a bustling metropolis filled with high-rise condominiums dappled with inexperienced areas and flower beds by way of this one-day itinerary.
Hiroshima attracts tons of of hundreds of vacationers yearly, thanks partly to its quick access from Kyoto and Osaka. This metropolis has change into a mecca for advocates of world peace and a beacon of hope for future generations.
When you’re planning a day journey to Hiroshima from Osaka or Kyoto, learn on to be taught extra about this superb metropolis and find out how to see the most effective it’s got to supply.
Hiroshima Day Journey Overview
Right here’s a fast map of this Hiroshima day journey itinerary:
Hiroshima Day Journey Itinerary
Right here is our detailed itinerary for spending in the future in Hiroshima:
1. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum rests within the coronary heart of the town, inviting visitors from all all over the world to keep in mind the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
The primary of the 2 nuclear bombs the US dropped on Japan, nicknamed “Little Boy“, was dropped on August 6, 1945. 1000’s misplaced their lives straight away and lots of of Hiroshima’s most historic neighbourhoods, comparable to Tenjin City (the place the Peace Memorial Museum is now situated), had been diminished to ashes in a matter of seconds.
Right now, the museum stands within the centre of the Peace Memorial Park. It has change into the town’s largest public inexperienced area and is an attractive central park that may be a must-visit for our Hiroshima itinerary.
Just like Nagasaki’s Peace Park, the Peace Memorial Park has a number of shaded areas and park benches for guests to relaxation on. If you need to choose out of visiting the museum, I extremely suggest testing the park’s many stunning monuments.
You may acknowledge the Hiroshima Victims’ Memorial Cenotaph and The Flame of Peace. This was televised when former U.S. President Barack Obama made history and embraced Shigeaki Mori, an A-bomb survivor from Hiroshima.
2. Atomic Bomb Dome
Previously referred to as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Corridor, the “Genbaku Dome” or the Atomic Bomb Dome has change into an emblem of hope and a reminder of the damaging capabilities of nuclear weapons.
Constructed in 1915 by Czech architect Jan Letzel, the Atomic Bomb Dome was a sight to behold many years earlier than it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1996.
The constructing was uncommon merely for the truth that, not like its surrounding buildings, it was one not made fully of wooden and stood taller than two tales.
Its shell survived the bombing and has been restored as a part of the Peace Memorial Park challenge. To guard this essential cultural constructing, it’s forbidden for anybody to enter.
Nevertheless, simply behind the Atomic Bomb Dome, you could find the latest attraction on our record – a tower that gives a chicken’s-eye view of the dome and breathtaking views of the Peace Memorial Park from excessive up within the sky.
3. Hiroshima Orizuru Tower
The Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, which is immediately behind the Atomic Bomb Dome, stands close to the bomb’s hypocenter. “Orizuru“, which stands for “folded crane“, is a well-known image of peace.
From a number of vantage factors on the rooftop and twelfth ground, you may take pleasure in spectacular aerial views of the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, and Hiroshima Metropolis’s skyline.
There may be additionally a slide which visitors can take all the best way again right down to the primary ground, a rooftop cafe, and a spot to fold your individual peace crane. The reward store on the primary ground is a wonderful place to seize some “omiyage” or souvenirs.
Inside view of Hiroshima Orizuru Tower is the under-construction soccer stadium (or the Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima), Hiroshima Gate Park, and the following cease on our itinerary, Hiroshima Fort.
From the statement ground, you may see the Peace Memorial Park, the Memorial Museum, and the define of Miyajima.
4. Hiroshima Fort
A day journey to Hiroshima wouldn’t be full with out visiting Hiroshima Fort. This stunning constructing performs one other massive half in Hiroshima’s lengthy historical past.
Also referred to as the Carp Fort, Hiroshima Fort was as soon as house to a feudal lord. It was designated a Nationwide Treasure in 1931 and the primary tower was rebuilt in 1958 after the unique citadel was toppled by the a-bomb and subsequently destroyed.
To take advantage of out of visiting Hiroshima Fort, we suggest strolling across the island it stands upon. Right here, you can even cease by one other historic attraction – Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine (extra information about this place might be discovered under!).
Close by, you may observe works by legendary painters comparable to Van Gogh and Picasso on the Hiroshima Museum of Art earlier than heading again to do some buying in downtown Hiroshima.
5. Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine is a Shinto shrine based within the Meiji period. It was rebuilt after it was destroyed by the atomic bomb and relocated to its current location. From Hiroshima Fort, it takes lower than 5 minutes to stroll to Gokoku Shrine.
Gokoku Shrine is a well-liked place to attend seasonal occasions comparable to celebrating Shichi-go-san, Coming-of-Age-Day, and New 12 months’s celebrations amongst many others.
When visiting, I used to be impressed by the shrine’s large stone torii gate and the fantastic thing about the elegant, sloping roofs.
It’s mentioned that the variety of casualties of Japan’s best wars stretches effectively into the hundreds, a lot of whose souls are enshrined at Gokoku Shrine. Victims of the a-bombing are additionally enshrined right here, due to this fact making Gokoku Shrine yet one more place the place guests could honour the victims of August 6, 1945.
6. Hiroshima Hondōri Purchasing Avenue
The liveliest avenue of Hiroshima is none aside from the Hondōri Purchasing Avenue. Simply recognizable by its coated archway, this busy buying district is made up of a menagerie of Western-style eateries, classic clothes outlets, and luxurious boutiques.
The additional down Hondōri Avenue you go, the extra recognizable the title manufacturers change into. It culminates on a small visitors circle the place you will see a multi-story PARCO Division Retailer similar to those present in Shibuya and Fukuoka.
Close to the primary entrance of the Hiroshima Hondōri Purchasing Avenue, not removed from the Hondōri Tram Station, lies the well-known Andersen Takaki Bakery. This bakery was as soon as visited by a Queen and Crown Prince from Denmark and has been in operation since 1967.
7. Fumi-Chan’s Okonomiyaki Restaurant
Relating to culinary delicacies, Hiroshima is known for 2 issues: oysters and okonomiyaki.
Okonomiyaki is a savoury dish that’s harking back to a “veggie pancake“, consisting of batter, a wide range of toppings, and totally different sorts of protein (there are additionally vegetarian choices accessible).
Oysters are in season between October and Might, however since okonomiyaki might be loved year-round, it may be tough for non-locals to inform which native restaurant has the greatest and most genuine Hiroshima okonomiyaki.
After performing some analysis, I made a decision to strive Fumichan Nagarekawa-ten, certainly one of Hiroshima’s most well-known okonomiyaki eating places. The employees had been skilled and served our meals in a well timed method. Standing in line took lower than thirty minutes.
We tried the usual okonomiyaki and weren’t disillusioned. Sitting down at Fumi-chan’s okonomiyaki restaurant was one of the simplest ways to conclude our in the future in Hiroshima.
Find out how to Take a Day Journey to Hiroshima from Kyoto
If you wish to go to Hiroshima from Kyoto, one of the simplest ways to take action is by taking the Shinkansen (bullet practice). Utilizing the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Line, you will get from Kyoto Station to Hiroshima Station in slightly over 1.4 hours.
Sure trains are at present not included within the JR Pass, so make sure to rigorously have a look at the knowledge under to search out out which cross is best for you!
Find out how to Take a Day Journey to Hiroshima from Osaka
When you’re staying in Osaka and need to go to Hiroshima, the quickest manner is to board the Sanyo Shinkansen Line at Shin-Osaka Station and get off at Hiroshima Station
The trip takes wherever from 1.5 to 2 hours, relying on which bullet practice you select.
Whereas the quickest trains are the Mizuho and Nozomi, it is very important word that they’re not at present coated by the JR Go. There are additionally buses accessible from the JR Specific Bus Terminal at Osaka Station. For extra details about bus timetables, please take a look at their web site here.
Finest Passes for a Hiroshima Day Journey
Along with the Japan Rail Pass, Hiroshima has a couple of different day passes that make getting across the metropolis very handy for vacationers:
- Kansai–Hiroshima Pass: This cross will get you limitless rides on the Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima, together with the cute Hiya Kitty Shinkansen. It additionally consists of rides on the JR West Miyajima Ferry.
- One Day Street Car & Ferry Pass: Features a low cost on avenue automotive rides for twenty-four hours. You should buy this cross on the Avenue Automotive Info Desk at Hiroshima Station or examine in case your resort has any availability. This cross doesn’t cowl the Matsudai Kisen Vacationer Ship, which is owned by a separate firm (see under), however you can apply it to the opposite ferry that runs from Miyajima-guchi to Miyajima.
- Miyajima Matsudai Kisen Tourist Ship: When you plan on exploring Miyajima throughout your journey, this cross consists of reductions on round-trip tickets for Miyajima Matsudai Kisen Ferry and Miyajima Ropeway. Our Miyajima itinerary may help you intend your journey in additional element.
Can You Do Hiroshima as a Day Journey?
Sure, you may completely do Hiroshima as a day journey. Hiroshima is well accessible from Kyoto and Osaka. Whether or not you’re fascinated about staying for a day (or two), there are tons of issues along with visiting all the locations we coated on this itinerary.
If you need to spend an additional day or two in Hiroshima, take into account taking a ferry to a close-by island! The preferred vacation spot is Miyajima, the place the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine is situated.
Conclusion – Hiroshima Day Journey Itinerary
From the breezy overlook of Orizuru Tower to the full of life promenade of Hondōri Purchasing Avenue, the town of Hiroshima continues to be an emblem of world peace and prosperity within the wake of nuclear devastation. Hiroshima is a must-visit vacation spot so as to add to your next-day journey from Kyoto and Osaka.