Best Itinerary For a 1 Day Trip to Hiroshima From Kyoto or Osaka

Planning a day trip through the famous Golden route? My itinerary is designed to ensure that you see the best sights on your day trip from Osaka and Kyoto to Hiroshima. This place was referred to as the most tragic site of the 1945 atomic bomb. But guess what? During my visit, the city was much alive and thriving with no trace of destruction. Here is a suggested Hiroshima itinerary.

Getting to Hiroshima from Kyoto/Osaka

If you are planning for a trip to Hiroshima, the best means of transport is the bullet train. It will only take you 80 to 100 minutes from Osaka and 100 to 120 minutes from Kyoto.

Hiroshima from Osaka or Kyoto

From Osaka to Hiroshima you can take the Sanyo Shinkansen line from the station at Shin Osaka and alight at the Hiroshima station.

If you are doing a couple of trips with the bullet train from Osaka or Kyoto you may consider using the Japan Rail Pass with Sakura service or the Hikari service for free. Just ensure that you check the bullet train timetable if you are looking forward to going with the JR Pass. Without a JR Pass consider using the faster alternative, that is, the Nozomi train or the Mizuho that will only take approximately 80 minutes from Osaka

Departing from Kyoto or Osaka

The best time to take a train in Kyoto or Shin-Osaka is 7.20 am and 7.35 respectively. This time is recommendable especially if you are planning to arrive at Hiroshima around 9.00 to 10.00 am. Make sure to arrive on time at the Hiroshima the 10th biggest city in the country in order to take a JR Sanyo-honsen bullet train line to the Miyajimaguchi station. Alternatively, you can also take the Hiroshima Electric Railway that would drop you at Miyajima. However, such a route is longer despite being cheaper. So, a JR line would definitely save you some time during your travel.

Arriving at Miyajimaguchi

At around 10.00 am you will be at Miyajimaguchi station. Walk to the ferry port where you will find two companies that operate a ferry to Miyajima, Matsudai kisen and JR. With a Japan Rail Pass, you will have to take a JR ferry. Without a JR Pass, you can opt either for a ferry to Miyajima or the Matsudai Kisen where the price will be about 180 Yen for an adult on a one-way tour.

It isn’t that far from Miyajimaguchi ferry station to the Miyajima and will only be a trip of about 10 minutes. You can explore the Itsukushima shrine including the atomic bomb dome once you arrive in Miyajima. We would recommend checking the Miyajima tide time because the best time visiting the atomic bomb dome would be in the morning rather than the afternoon. In this region, you will get the chance to see both deer and Nara and also both the low and high tide.

Explore Miyajima Island

Would you also like to explore inside the Miyajima Island after a visit to the Itsukushima shrine and get a taste of the famous oyster food? Well visit the famous restaurants on the island and have a taste of the delicious oyster and Momiji-Manju which has red bean jam too. You can also get a great trekking spot at Miyama in Miyajima.

Depart from Miyajima

After exploring some the amazing things in Miyajima, travel to Miyajimaguchi by ferry. In Miyajimaguchi take the Hiroshima Electric Railway train from the Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi to visit the Atomic bomb dome. Take your time to observe the sobering sight at this place. Then cross the Motoyasu-Bashi bridge on the Motoyasu-gawa river to explore and pray at the Peace Memorial Park where the first atomic was dropped on August 1945. We would also suggest paying a visit to the Peace Memorial Museum as early as possible to avoid the crowd that descends in the museum as the day progresses.

At noon you can make a stop at the Cenotaph for A-Bomb Victims and the Children’s Peace Memorial which are also not far from the museum and the Peace Memorial Park.

Having Lunch at 1PM

You may have a slightly late lunch in one of the restaurants that are located in the neighbourhood. You can also head east just across the bridge from the Peace Memorial Park and get to shopping arcade at Hon-Dori Shotengai. There are good restaurants in this region that you will probably like. Furthermore, after having your lunch, you can take a taxi or tram to Shukkei-in Garden and enjoy the view.

Hiroshima Station

At between 3.30 and 16.30, you can return to the Hiroshima station, which is just a 20-minute walk from the Shukkei-in Garden.

Other activities

After arriving in Hiroshima from Osaka or Kyoto, you may decide to watch a Japanese baseball game or even wear a kimono and get to experience the famous Japanese tea ceremony.

So, looking forward to an amazing trip to Hiroshima from Osaka or Kyoto? We are sure that you will find this itinerary very informative. Make sure to get a JR Pass, take a bulletin train and start your discovery early.