🌸 Hiroshima in One Day – 3 Suggested Itineraries
Plan 1: The Balanced Route (World Heritage + Hidden Gems)
9:00 – Atomic Bomb Dome & Peace Memorial Park
- Access: From Hiroshima Station, take streetcar line 1, 2, or 6 → Genbaku Dome-mae (about 17 min).
- Why Visit: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most important place to understand Hiroshima. The Atomic Bomb Dome remains as it stood after August 6, 1945. The Peace Memorial Museum exhibits survivors’ stories and artifacts, while the surrounding park offers a tranquil green space for reflection.
11:00 – Hiroshima Castle (Carp Castle)
- Access: Streetcar from Genbaku Dome-mae → Kamiyachō-Higashi (2 stops), then walk 10 min.
- Why Visit: Built in 1589 by warlord Terumoto Mōri, the castle gave Hiroshima its name. The reconstructed keep is now a museum showcasing samurai armor, swords, and the history of Hiroshima Domain. The castle moat and cherry blossoms in spring create a picturesque scene.
12:30 – Lunch at Okonomi-mura (Okonomiyaki Village)
- Access: Walk 15 min from Hiroshima Castle.
- Must Eat: Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki — layered with cabbage, noodles, pork, egg, and topped with savory sauce. Cooked right in front of you on a hot iron griddle.
- Recommended Shops: Hasshō (local favorite) or Murakami (lighter style, great for first-timers).
14:00 – Shukkeien Garden
- Access: From Okonomi-mura → streetcar from Hatchobori → Shukkeien-mae (10 min).
- Why Visit: A daimyo garden established in 1620 by Asano Nagaakira. Designed as a “miniature landscape of Japan,” the strolling paths lead around ponds, bridges, and tea houses. Fewer tourists come here, making it a peaceful cultural retreat.
16:00 – Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art or Yokogawa Area
- Access: From Shukkeien → streetcar bound for Yokogawa (about 20 min).
- Why Visit: Choose between modern art (at Japan’s first public contemporary art museum) or a walk through Yokogawa, a hip neighborhood with indie cinemas, murals, and local cafés.
18:00 – Dinner in Nagarekawa District
- Access: From Yokogawa → streetcar back to downtown (Kamiyachō-Higashi), then walk 10 min.
- Must Eat:
- Grilled Hiroshima oysters
- Anago-meshi (broiled conger eel on rice)
- Deep-fried fish cake gansu
- Pair with local sake such as Kamotsuru or Seikyo.
Plan 2: Cultural & Historical Immersion
9:00 – Atomic Bomb Dome & Peace Memorial Museum
- Access: Streetcar line 1, 2, or 6 → Genbaku Dome-mae.
- Why Visit: Essential to understanding Hiroshima’s story of devastation and rebirth. The museum’s exhibits are powerful and deeply moving.
11:00 – Hijiyama Hill & Army Cemetery
- Access: Bus from Peace Park area → Hijiyama-shita, then walk uphill 15 min.
- Why Visit: Once a military base, today Hijiyama Park is home to monuments and an old army cemetery. It offers panoramic views of the city and a quieter perspective on wartime history.
12:30 – Lunch: Hiroshima’s Spicy Specialty – Soupless Dandan Noodles
- Where: Kisaku, the birthplace of Hiroshima’s shirunashi tantanmen.
- Why Try: This spicy noodle dish without soup is mixed with chili oil, minced pork, and sesame. A true local’s favorite, far less known than okonomiyaki.
14:00 – Hiroshima Castle Moat & Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
- Access: Bus or walk 15 min.
- Why Visit: Stroll along the preserved moat and enter the grounds of Gokoku Shrine, where locals still come to pray. It gives you a sense of the city’s pre-war identity.
15:00 – Shukkeien Garden
- Access: Streetcar to Shukkeien-mae.
- Why Visit: This elegant daimyo garden is a cultural treasure, symbolizing harmony and refinement.
17:00 – Hondori Shopping Arcade & Retro Café Break
- Access: Streetcar to Hondori.
- Why Visit: A covered arcade where locals shop and hang out. Perfect for picking up souvenirs or enjoying a retro kissaten (Japanese coffee house).
- Recommended Café: Kissa Saeki, with nostalgic décor from the Showa era.
18:30 – Dinner at a Local Izakaya
- Must Eat:
- Koiwashi sashimi (fresh sardines from the Seto Inland Sea)
- Gansu (spicy fried fish cake)
- Hiroshima oysters (steamed or fried)
- Pair with a tasting flight of local sake.
Plan 3: Local Experience – “Hiroshima Like a Resident”
9:00 – Morning Stroll in Yokogawa
- Access: Streetcar from Hiroshima Station → Yokogawa Station (20 min).
- Why Visit: Yokogawa is Hiroshima’s “hipster district,” filled with indie cafés, murals, vintage shops, and a neighborhood vibe tourists rarely experience. Visit the indie cinema Yokogawa Cinema or try the bakery Boulangerie Dorian.
11:00 – Mitaki-dera Temple
- Access: JR Kabe Line from Yokogawa Station → Mitaki Station (5 min), then 20 min uphill walk.
- Why Visit: Founded in 809, this mountain temple is surrounded by waterfalls, moss-covered statues, and serene forest trails. A spiritual hidden gem far from the tourist path.
13:00 – Lunch in Yokogawa or Hakushima
- Options:
- Oomura: Anago-meshi set (grilled conger eel on rice).
- Hasshō Hakushima: Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki popular with locals.
15:00 – Ebasan Weather Observatory
- Access: Streetcar or bus to Eba-yama.
- Why Visit: Known as the “Atomic Bomb Weather Observatory,” this site uniquely recorded the weather on August 6, 1945. Today it serves as a science museum and memorial, almost unknown to foreign travelers.
17:00 – Stroll Along Kyōbashi River
- Access: Bus or streetcar back toward central Hiroshima.
- Why Visit: Riverside cafés and small bars line the banks, offering a chance to meet locals and relax after a day of exploration.
- Recommended Café-Bar: Koba, a riverside spot known for live music.
19:00 – Dinner & Drinks in Yokogawa or Nagarekawa
- Must Eat:
- Hiroshima-style spicy tsukemen (cold noodles with chili dipping sauce)
- Horumon-yaki (grilled beef/pork offal, a locals’ favorite)
- End the night with sake or a local craft beer in a cozy bar.
✅ Key Takeaways
- Plan 1: Balanced mix of Hiroshima’s highlights + hidden gems.
- Plan 2: For history and culture lovers.
- Plan 3: For those who want the “real Hiroshima” locals know.
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