Hiroshima, once known for its tragic past, has risen to become a vibrant city that beautifully blends history, culture, and modern attractions. From its memorials to scenic islands and local food specialties, this city offers an unforgettable experience for first-time visitors. We spent two full days in Hiroshima during our month-long adventure in Japan!
TLDR 🫣
Hiroshima: A city marked by its historical significance, offering a rich blend of culture, food, and modern attractions for first-time visitors.
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Miyajima Island & Itsukushima Shrine
*Morning: Early ferry ride to Miyajima Island to see the iconic floating torii gate at low tide. Explore the island's temples and encounter local deer.
*Afternoon: Return to the shrine to see the torii gate at high tide, followed by a visit to Shukkeien Garden in Hiroshima for relaxation.
- Day 2: Downtown Hiroshima
*Morning: Visit Hiroshima Castle, showcasing its resilience post-atomic bombing.
*Afternoon: Understand the history of Hiroshima at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, A-Bomb Dome, and Hypocenter
Pro Tip:
- Research high and low tide times to capture the best photos of the torii gate on Miyajima Island.
Top Awards:
- Best experiences included exploring Hiroshima's history at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and taking a day trip to Miyajima Island, where you can see the iconic red torii gate and enjoy interactions with deer.
- Best food featured Hiroshima Okonomiyaki, especially at local spots like Okonomiyaki Kishibe on Miyajima island.
If you’re planning a longer trip, check out our 31-day itinerary, How to Spend 1 Month in Japan, for a high-level overview of the cities we explored, where we stayed, and what we loved in each place. But for now, let’s dive into how to spend 2 full days in Hiroshima for first-timers. (Heads up: some links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase!)
AWARDS
Best Experiences: Understanding the history of Japan through the eyes of Hiroshima, including visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and taking a day trip to Miyajima Island, home of more deer and the iconic red torii gate/shrine.
Best Eats: Hiroshima Okonomiyaki is a must-try (sorry, Osaka!), especially at a local restaurant like Okonomiyaki Kishibe (Google Maps)
Best “Bang for Your Buck” Hotel: Nest Hotel Hiroshima (includes delicious pastries every morning; cost around $75 CAD per night, stayed on Fri-Sun).
Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase).
HOW TO GET TO HIROSHIMA
Getting to Hiroshima is a breeze via shinkansen (bullet train)! Starting from Kobe, here’s what our route looked like:
– Kobe to Himeji: We took the Tokaido-Sanyo Line Special Rapid Himeji, which cost 990 yen (~$10 CAD) and it took 40 minutes. Our ultimate destination was Hiroshima, but we decided to stop over in Himeji and take ~half a day to check out Himeji Castle and the Koko-en Gardens (worth it!). If you want to see how we did that, check out our blog How to Spend One Day in Himeji.
– Himeji to Hiroshima: Then, we hopped on the Shinkansen Nozomi 69 Non-Reserved Seat, which cost 7,910 yen (~$79 CAD) and took 1 hour. We bought our tickets at the Himeji station 20 minutes before the next bullet train.
While you can take local trains to get from Himeji to Hiroshima, we don’t recommend it for this route. It costs about 4,820 yen (~$48 CAD) but takes 4-5 hours! For just a little extra (~30 CAD), you save 3-4 hours of travel time and can explore Hiroshima instead of being stuck commuting!
For a detailed guide on how to navigate Japan’s Shinkansen system, check out our blog How to Ride the Shinkansen in Japan. After Hiroshima, we flew to Sapporo and spent a whole week in the northern part of Japan. Check out our blog, How to Spend 1 Week in Hokkaido if you’re interested!
ITINERARY
Let’s break down How to Spend 2 Full Days in Hiroshima, Japan as First-Timers:
Day 1: Miyajima Island / Itsukushima Shrine (Self-Guided Day Trip)
We decided to spend our first day on Miyajima Island, as the weather was forecasted to be sunnier than the next day.
We woke up at 7:00 AM for an early start (we never get up this early unless we have to). So why 7:00 AM? Well, we wanted to see the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, also known as the floating red torii gates in front of Miyajima island. The tide plays a huge role in how the shrine appears, and low tide was around 9:20 AM on the day of our visit, so getting to the island early was crucial. After some cute complementary breakfast breads from our hotel (another reason to book this hotel), we headed out.
From Hiroshima Station, we took the Sanyo Line Local Iwakuni for 9 stops to Miyajimaguchi Station, then walked 3 minutes to the JR Miyajima Ferry. Note: The JR Rail Pass doesn’t cover this ferry, and there’s a new 100-yen visitor’s fee for the island. The ferry ride was about 10 minutes across Hiroshima Bay. Cars can ride on the ferry too!
By 9:00 AM, we were walking towards the iconic Itsukushima Shrine and the famous floating torii gates. Except, at this hour, they weren’t floating. Low tide means you can walk up and touch the torii gates without swimming!
We spent the rest of the morning exploring the island, taking in the temples, shrines, and adorable deer (yes, they’re similar to the ones in Nara!). Pro Tip: It was magical but also packed with tourists by 10:00 AM, so take your photos early.
We wandered through sacred sites and misty gardens, even encountering Jizō statues with little red knitted caps that protect them from the elements. At one point, it started to mist everywhere. The sprinklers came on for the statues, creating an eerie but cool scene that was totally unexpected. One tour guide, who wasn’t with us but was caught in the mist too, said, “I’ve been here hundreds of times and never experienced the mist before.”
After meeting a few more deer, we thought it was time to head back to the main streets, closer to the bay where the torii gates are, and find some lunch.
We started off wandering the markets and grabbed some snacks, including deep-fried momiji, a classic treat in Hiroshima. Momiji manju is a small, maple leaf-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean paste, a specialty of Hiroshima and especially popular on Miyajima Island. The fried version gives it a crispy, golden outer layer, elevating the traditional flavour with an extra crunch. It’s a delicious and affordable snack, costing about 200 yen (~$2 CAD).
For our main meal, I wanted to try Hiroshima okonomiyaki from Okonomiyaki Kishibe (Google Maps), while Ryan craved oysters (unpopular opinion, but I don’t like oysters). Since restaurants usually require everyone to order a meal, we split up for lunch!
Hiroshima okonomiyaki is a layered dish unlike Osaka’s version. Osaka-style okonomiyaki (also called “Kansai-style”) mixes all the ingredients (batter, cabbage, meats, seafood, etc.) together in one bowl before cooking it on a griddle like a savoury pancake. It’s often topped with mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce, seaweed flakes, and bonito (fish) flakes. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, on the other hand, layers the ingredients rather than mixing them. It starts with a thin crepe-like layer of batter, followed by a generous portion of shredded cabbage, pork, or seafood, and then noodles (usually yakisoba or udon – you get to choose!), all cooked in layers. An egg is cracked on top at the end. Like Osaka okonomiyaki, it’s finished with okonomiyaki sauce and other toppings, but the noodles and layers give it a unique texture and flavor.
I have to admit, I was a bit nervous walking into a traditional Japanese okonomiyaki restaurant without Ryan, my trusty Japanese translator. Armed with my very basic vocabulary, I timidly approached the counter. “Sumimasen?” I said with a hopeful smile, which loosely translates to “Excuse me” but for me, it meant, “Please be patient with me, I’m trying my best!” Thankfully, the sweet grandmas behind the counter nodded and smiled, and somehow, everything fell into place. The cost for this giant okonomiyaki was $8 CAD – cash only – but this was a small price to pay for the BEST okonomiyaki I had in all of Japan.
Ryan, meanwhile, had an oyster feast at Kakiya (Google Maps) for $23 CAD, with oyster in his appetizers, soup, and salad. It also came with several fried and raw oysters!
We reunited afterward and headed back to the Itsukushima Shrine around 1:30 PM to watch the rising tide. Though it wasn’t high tide yet (which was around 3:20 PM), the water had risen enough to make the famous torii gates appear to float, and the crowds around them had disappeared. This is the iconic “floating” tori gate picture. Pro Trip: Research high and low tides for your day to see if you can be there to catch both! We paid the modest 300 yen entrance fee (about $3 CAD) and joined a short line to get that perfect photo of the torii with the water, mountains, and a bit of magic in the background.
Just as we got to the front of the line—so close to capturing that Instagram-worthy shot—something truly unexpected happened. Out of nowhere, men in suits appeared, politely blocked off the line with rope, and rolled out a red carpet. We were stunned. Suddenly, a bride and groom appeared, looking like they stepped out of a fairy tale. Turns out, it was their wedding day, and they were here to take their iconic torii gate photos!
But in true Japanese fashion, the men in suits didn’t just kick us out. They graciously allowed us to take our photos first, with the bride and groom waiting patiently behind us. Talk about pressure! With the added bonus of an audience, we snapped our photos as quickly as possible, laughing at how random this experience was.
After exploring the rest of the island, we took the ferry back to Hiroshima. But just take a look at these photos now, when the tide is higher. It’s magical.
With time left in the day, we visited Shukkeien Garden. This serene garden, filled with koi ponds and beautiful hydrangeas, is an ideal spot to relax. Although we have to admit, we’re total suckers for temples, castles, and gardens—there’s just something about the blend of history and peace they bring. We spent a good hour exploring its beauty, though we both agreed that our favourite garden still remains Koko-en in Himeji (definitely check out our Himeji blog if you’re curious!). Admission was around 260 yen (~$3 CAD) for Shukkeien Garden.
After getting our fill of nature, it was time to find some dinner. We headed to Hiroshima Station, and let me tell you—don’t underestimate train station dining in Japan! These stations are culinary gold mines. We had an unforgettable conveyor belt sushi experience at Kyoto Station, and now, in Hiroshima, we were about to dive into something different: oysters for Ryan, of course.
The name of the restaurant was Oyster Ekai. Ryan went all in, ordering a gustatory box that came loaded with oysters, rice, conger eel, and steak. Meanwhile, I opted for something a little less… sea-themed. I got the sukiyaki zen, which came with sukiyaki (thinly sliced beef cooked with veggies), a small side dish, and a raw egg to dip everything in. Simple but so delicious.
All this mouthwatering food set us back 4,620 yen (about $46 CAD), and it was worth every penny. Japan’s train station restaurants never fail to impress!
Day 2: Exploring Downtown Hiroshima
After our adventure-filled day on Miyajima Island, we let ourselves sleep in and recharge. No alarms, no rush, just a lazy morning in Hiroshima. But eventually, hunger hit, and of course, our go-to Lawson’s was calling our name. A few trusty onigiris in hand (yes, again—we’re obsessed and we are doing a 31-day onigiri challenge), we kicked off our afternoon exploring the city.
Our first stop was Hiroshima Castle. It’s a striking sight with its beautiful architecture and rich history. Though originally built in the 1590s, the castle was destroyed in the atomic bombing but was reconstructed in 1958, and today it stands as a symbol of Hiroshima’s resilience. The grounds were peaceful, and the views from the top were worth the 370 yen (~4 CAD) entry fee, but—sorry Hiroshima—Himeji Castle still takes the top spot in our hearts.
Next up: lunch. We stopped by CoCo Ichibanya Curry House, a popular spot for katsu curry. Nothing like crispy pork cutlet and curry sauce to fuel the rest of our day. For around ~$29 CAD, we both left stuffed and ready to continue exploring.
From there, we made our way to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. This part of the day was sobering, to say the least. On August 6, 1945, Hiroshima became the first city in history to be hit by an atomic bomb, devastating the city and killing tens of thousands instantly, with many more affected in the years that followed. The Peace Memorial Museum gives you a deep look into the horrors of that day—photos, artifacts, and survivor stories that leave a lasting impact. We spent over two hours walking through the exhibits, reflecting on the scale of destruction and the strength of the people who rebuilt their lives afterward.
After the museum, we explored the surrounding Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a beautiful area dedicated to promoting peace and remembering those lost. We also visited the A-Bomb Dome, the haunting remnants of a building that survived the blast, and the hypocenter, the exact spot where the bomb was dropped. It was a heavy day, but we walked away with a greater understanding and appreciation for Hiroshima’s resilience.
By the time evening rolled around, we were ready for something a little lighter, so we headed out in search of dinner. That’s when we stumbled upon a building entirely dedicated to okonomiyaki (I know, I was in heaven!) —four floors of restaurants serving nothing but this savory Japanese pancake! We chose “Suigun,” (Google Maps) a cozy little spot where we snagged one of the last seats at the table before they closed for the night. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is the real deal—packed with cabbage, green onions, noodles, and topped with sauce. Paired with Ryan’s new favourite drink, the lemon highball (a bubbly mix of Japanese whiskey, sparkling water, and lemon), it was a perfect way to end the night. Dinner set us back 3450 yen (~35 CAD), but it was worth every yen.
And thus, a new daily challenge was born: one onigiri a day from Lawson’s or 7-Eleven (Lawson’s is winning so far!), and one highball with dinner or at night. Pro tip: The selection of highball canned drinks at Japanese convenience stores is unreal. Look for the Asahi one that has a real lemon in it!
TOTAL COST for 2 Full Days in Hiroshima (Approximate, CAD for 2 people):
Accommodations for 3 nights: $223
Activities: $9
Food: $104
TOTAL: $336 (Roughly $84 per person, per day)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Hiroshima is more than just a history lesson; it’s a city that exudes beauty, resilience, and culture. From serene island visits to rich culinary experiences, our time here was unforgettable. Whether you’re coming for the history or the food (seriously, the okonomiyaki is life-changing), Hiroshima has something for every type of traveler! Comment below if you have any questions for us! And if you’re interested in seeing how we spent 31 days in Japan, check out our ultimate blog, How to Spend 1 Month in Japan!
Discover more from Where's Ryan and Celina?
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.