Beyond Tokyo & Kyoto: Why Hiroshima & Miyajima Should Be on Your Itinerary
You have booked Tokyo. You have booked Kyoto. Now you are looking at the map and wondering: “Should I go all the way to Hiroshima?”
My honest answer? Yes. It is powerful, beautiful, and delicious.
Many people think Hiroshima is just a sad place to learn about the atomic bomb. While the Peace Memorial is essential, the city today is vibrant, green, and full of hope. Plus, right next door is Miyajima, arguably one of the top 3 scenic spots in Japan.
Here is your guide to the perfect Hiroshima trip.
1. The Peace Memorial Park: An Emotional Morning
Start your day here. It is walking distance from the city center. Seeing the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome)—the only building left standing near the hypocenter—is a haunting, unforgettable experience.
- The Museum: The Peace Memorial Museum is heavy. It is sad. You might cry. But it is incredibly important. It focuses on peace and the stories of the victims.
- Friend’s Advice: Give yourself time to decompress afterwards. Walk by the river. It’s a beautiful park now.
2. Miyajima Island: The “Floating” Magic
After the museum, take a train and a ferry to Miyajima Island. This is the antidote to the sadness. It is pure magic.
- The Great Torii Gate: You have seen it on Instagram. The giant orange gate stands in the ocean.
- High Tide: It looks like it is floating. Perfect for photos.
- Low Tide: You can actually walk out on the sand and touch the gate!
- The Deer: Just like in Nara, there are wild deer everywhere.
- Warning: Miyajima deer are gangsters. They will eat your map, your ticket, and your ice cream. Guard your belongings!
3. The Great Debate: Hiroshima Okonomiyaki
Remember Osaka Okonomiyaki? (The mixed pancake). Hiroshima has its own version, and locals will fight you if you say the Osaka one is better.
Hiroshima Style is all about LAYERS.
- Thin crepe.
- Mountain of cabbage.
- Pork belly.
- Yakissba Noodles (The key difference!)
- Fried egg.
- Lots of sauce.
It is huge, filling, and amazing. Go to a building called “Okonomi-mura” (Okonomiyaki Village)—it’s multiple floors of just Okonomiyaki stalls!
4. Oysters (Kaki): The Sea’s Butter
Hiroshima produces about 60% of Japan’s oysters. Whether you like them raw, grilled, or fried, you must eat them here. On Miyajima, you will see street stalls grilling huge oysters right in their shells with butter and soy sauce. It smells like the ocean and happiness.
5. Momiji Manju: The Maple Leaf Cake
This is the classic souvenir. Small, maple-leaf-shaped sponge cakes.
- Classic: Red bean paste inside.
- Modern: Custard, Chocolate, Cheese, or Deep Fried (Age-Momiji). The deep-fried one on a stick is the perfect walking snack on the island.
Logistics: Day Trip or Overnight?
- From Osaka/Kyoto: It takes about 1.5 – 2 hours by Shinkansen (Sakura or Nozomi).
- Can you do it in a day? Yes, but it is a very long day. You will be rushing.
- Friend’s Recommendation: Stay one night. Visit the Peace Park in the afternoon, eat Okonomiyaki for dinner. Then spend the next morning relaxing on Miyajima Island before heading back.
Summary: A Trip for the Soul and Stomach
Hiroshima offers a unique mix of history that makes you think, and scenery that helps you relax. It adds a depth to your Japan trip that Tokyo alone cannot provide.
Not sure how to fit this into your schedule? Or want a guide to explain the history of the Peace Park with sensitivity and depth? We can arrange a custom tour extension to Hiroshima for you. Let’s go see the floating gate together.
