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How many days in Hiroshima? 2 days of the Peace Park, Miyajima and okonomiyaki
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Hiroshima was destroyed by the first atomic bomb used in war, on 6 August 1945, and rebuilt as a modern 'City of Peace'. Its Peace Memorial Park and Museum are among the most moving places in the world. Just 45 minutes away, the island of Miyajima has one of Japan's most famous sights, the 'floating' torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Two days is ideal: one for the city and its history, one for Miyajima. Many visitors come as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto, but one night allows a calmer visit.
Short answer
One day covers the Peace Park, the museum and a fast visit to Miyajima. Two days give each its own day and an evening with okonomiyaki.
The 2-day plan, day by day
Day 1: The Peace Park and the city
Morning. Visit the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome, UNESCO), the ruin of the Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, left as it was after the explosion. Walk through the Peace Memorial Park: the Children's Peace Monument, with paper cranes in memory of Sadako Sasaki, the Cenotaph and the Flame of Peace.
Afternoon. Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (about 200 yen), with personal objects of victims, testimonies and the history of the bombing. Allow 2 hours; it is emotional. Then walk through Shukkeien, a 17th-century landscape garden, and see Hiroshima Castle, rebuilt in 1958.
Evening. Eat Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a layered pancake with cabbage, noodles and egg, at Okonomimura, a building with more than 20 stalls on several floors.
Free volunteer guides in the Peace Park explain the monuments; look for them near the Dome.
Day 2: Miyajima
Morning. Take the JR train to Miyajimaguchi (about 25 minutes) and the ferry (10 minutes; covered by the JR Pass on the JR ferry) to Miyajima (Itsukushima). A small visitor tax is charged on entry to the island. Visit Itsukushima Shrine (UNESCO), built on stilts over the water, and see the giant vermilion torii, which seems to float at high tide.
Afternoon. Take the ropeway up Mount Misen (535 m) for views over the Seto Inland Sea, or hike up through the forest (about 1.5-2 hours). Visit Daisho-in Temple, with statues, prayer wheels and a cave of lanterns.
Evening. Try grilled oysters and momiji manju (maple-leaf cakes) on Omotesando street, and see the torii lit up at dusk before returning.
Check the tide tables: at high tide the torii floats; at low tide you can walk to its base.
Only have 1 day?
With 1 day, visit the Peace Park and museum in the morning and Miyajima in the afternoon; you can also take a direct ferry from the Peace Park to Miyajima (about 45 minutes).
Got extra days?
With more time, visit Kure and the Yamato Museum, the islands of the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, or Okunoshima, the 'rabbit island'. Continue to Himeji Castle on the way to Osaka.
Where to stay in Hiroshima
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Hostels near Hiroshima Station | Cheap, trains to Miyajima. | 4,000-8,000 yen |
| Mid-range | Near the Peace Park / Hondori | Walk to the Dome, museum and okonomiyaki. | 12,000-22,000 yen |
| Mid-range | Near Hiroshima Station | Convenient for the Shinkansen. | 10,000-20,000 yen |
| Comfort | Ryokan on Miyajima | Stay on the island after the day-trippers leave. | 35,000-80,000 yen (with dinner) |
Getting around
Trams (Hiroden) cover the city and go to Miyajimaguchi; buses and the free 'Meipuru-pu' loop bus serve the main sights. Shinkansen trains reach Osaka in about 1.5 hours and Kyoto in about 1 hour 45 minutes. Hiroshima Airport is about 50 minutes by bus.
What to eat in Hiroshima
Try Hiroshima okonomiyaki, oysters (Hiroshima produces most of Japan's oysters, grilled, fried or raw), tsukemen (dipping noodles with a spicy sauce), anago-meshi (conger eel on rice, a Miyajima speciality), and momiji manju. A meal costs 1,000-2,500 yen.
Best time to visit
March to May (cherry blossoms in early April) and October to November (autumn colours on Miyajima's maples) are best. 6 August brings the Peace Memorial Ceremony and lanterns floating on the river in the evening. Summer is hot and humid.
Month-by-month weather for Hiroshima →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | 3,000 yen | 8,000 yen | 25,000 yen |
| Food & drink | 2,500 yen | 5,000 yen | 12,000 yen |
| Sights & activities | 500 yen | 2,500 yen | 5,000 yen |
| Local transport & ferries | 500 yen | 1,500 yen | 4,000 yen |
| Total per person, per day | about 6,500 yen | about 17,000 yen | about 46,000 yen |
Approximate 2026 prices in Japanese yen. The JR Pass covers JR trains and the JR ferry to Miyajima; Miyajima charges a small visitor tax.
Before you go
Common questions
Is Hiroshima safe from radiation?
Yes: radiation levels are the same as in any other city. The bomb exploded in the air, and residual radiation dropped quickly.
Can I visit Hiroshima as a day trip?
Yes, from Osaka or Kyoto by Shinkansen (1.5-2 hours). An overnight stay lets you visit Miyajima more calmly and eat okonomiyaki.
Is the Peace Museum suitable for children?
It contains graphic images; younger children may find it upsetting. Parents can choose the route and explain beforehand.
When does the torii float?
At high tide; tide times are published by the Miyajima tourist office. It was restored between 2019 and 2022.
Is the JR Pass worth it for Hiroshima?
Only if you travel a lot by Shinkansen across Japan; after recent price increases, buy single tickets for shorter trips.
What are the deer on Miyajima?
Wild deer considered sacred messengers of the gods. Do not feed them; they may eat paper, maps or tickets.
Where can I see paper cranes?
At the Children's Peace Monument, where schools from all over the world send thousands of cranes each year.
Is Mount Misen worth it?
Yes on a clear day: the views over the islands of the Inland Sea are excellent. The ropeway takes about 15 minutes, plus a 30-minute walk to the summit.
Can I stay overnight on Miyajima?
Yes, in ryokan (traditional inns). The island is quiet after the last ferries of day visitors, and the lit-up shrine is beautiful.
How do I get from the Peace Park to Miyajima?
By the direct World Heritage Sea Route ferry (about 45 minutes) from the park, or by tram or JR train to Miyajimaguchi and then the ferry.
How long should I spend at the Peace Memorial Museum?
About 1.5-2 hours for the main exhibition. An audio guide in several languages helps explain the objects, photographs and testimonies of survivors (hibakusha). Arrive early in high season to avoid queues.
Can I hear a survivor's testimony?
The museum organises testimony sessions by hibakusha or their successors, some in English or with interpretation, often for groups. Check the museum's website for the schedule.
What else is near Hiroshima?
Kure's naval museum, the sake brewing town of Saijo (about 35 minutes by train), the island of Okunoshima with its wild rabbits, and the Onomichi temple walk at the start of the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.
Is there a lantern ceremony?
Yes: on the evening of 6 August, thousands of paper lanterns with messages of peace are floated on the Motoyasu River in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome, in memory of the victims.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning Japan trips. Prices are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Miyajima tourism and JR West websites before booking.
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