Hiroshima Chugoku Japan
3
Day Itinerary •
Japan
Three days in Hiroshima and Chugoku reveals one of the most historically profound regions of Japan, its extraordinary peace heritage, the remarkable floating torii gate of Miyajima, the finest Setouchi Inland Sea island scenery and the remarkable Hiroshima oysters and okonomiyaki. This route covers the essential Chugoku: the extraordinary Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the remarkable Miyajima floating torii and Itsukushima Shrine, the extraordinary Onomichi cat town, the finest Setouchi ferry and the remarkable Shimanami Kaido cycling bridge route.
Best Time To Visit
March to May or September to November
Getting There
Shinkansen to Hiroshima or fly to Hiroshima Airport.
Getting Around
Tram in Hiroshima. Ferry to Miyajima. Car for Onomichi.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , trams, ferries and walking
DAY 1
HIROSHIMA
MORNING
HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL MUSEUM
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is the most extraordinary and most important museum in Japan, its remarkable exhibits of the 1945 atomic bomb damage , the extraordinary shadow of a person vaporised on stone steps, the remarkable melted lunch boxes and the fine survivor testimonies , giving the most profound and essential museum experience in the country. The remarkable A-Bomb Dome across the river, preserved exactly as it stood after the blast, gives the finest peace heritage in Asia. Entry approx 200 yen. Drive: 5 min walk
MIDDAY
A-BOMB DOME AND PEACE MEMORIAL PARK
The A-Bomb Dome is the most extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage site in Japan, its remarkable ruined industrial building preserved as the most powerful symbol of nuclear destruction in the world. The extraordinary Peace Memorial Park surrounding it, with the remarkable Cenotaph aligned to frame the dome through the arch, gives the finest peace memorial landscape in Asia. Free. Drive: 15 min tram
AFTERNOON
SHUKKEIEN GARDEN AND HIROSHIMA CASTLE
Shukkeien is the most extraordinary traditional garden in Hiroshima, its remarkable miniaturised landscape of streams, islands and tea houses giving the finest garden heritage in western Honshu. The extraordinary Hiroshima Castle, rebuilt after the atomic bomb, and the remarkable views over the city from the keep give the finest feudal heritage in the Chugoku region. Garden entry approx 260 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Honkawa Elementary School Peace Museum near the A-Bomb Dome is the finest hidden peace heritage site in Hiroshima, its remarkable original schoolroom preserved with extraordinary artefacts from the morning of August 6th 1945 giving the most intimate atomic bomb experience in the city. Entry approx 250 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hiroshima okonomiyaki restaurant Outstanding Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki layered pancake, the finest local dish in western Japan. | Lunch: Oyster restaurant near Peace Park Outstanding fresh Hiroshima oysters, the finest in Japan, grilled or raw near the extraordinary Peace Memorial. | Dinner: Nagarekawa district restaurant Outstanding Hiroshima dinner in the finest entertainment district in the city. Local sake and fresh seafood.
DAY 2
MIYAJIMA ISLAND
MORNING
ITSUKUSHIMA SHRINE AND FLOATING TORII
Itsukushima Shrine is the most extraordinary Shinto shrine in Japan, its remarkable vermilion buildings built over the sea giving the finest tidal heritage in the country. The extraordinary O-torii gate, the largest torii in Japan standing in the Seto Inland Sea, appears to float at high tide in the most famous image in Japanese culture. The remarkable ability to walk under the gate at low tide gives the finest shrine experience in western Japan. Entry approx 300 yen. Drive: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
MIYAJIMA VILLAGE AND MOMIJIDANI PARK
Miyajima village is the most extraordinary pilgrimage island in Japan, its remarkable narrow shopping streets of extraordinary maple leaf cakes, Miyajima spatulas and the finest crafts in western Honshu lining the approach to the shrine. The extraordinary Momijidani Park valley of maple trees and the remarkable deer roaming freely through the village give the finest island village atmosphere in Japan. Free. Drive: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
MOUNT MISEN ROPEWAY AND SUMMIT
Mount Misen is the most extraordinary sacred peak in the Chugoku region, its remarkable ropeway giving the finest aerial views over the Seto Inland Sea and the extraordinary summit hiking trails through ancient cedar forest to the finest panoramic view in western Japan. The remarkable eternal flame at the summit temple, burning since Kobo Daishi lit it 1200 years ago, gives the finest religious heritage on Miyajima. Ropeway approx 2000 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Daisho-in temple complex at the foot of Mount Misen contains the finest collection of Buddhist statuary on Miyajima, its remarkable prayer wheels, extraordinary cave shrines and the fine Five-Storey Pagoda giving the most atmospheric Buddhist heritage on the island. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Miyajima ferry cafe Outstanding Japanese breakfast on the extraordinary Miyajima ferry. Arrive before 8am for the torii in early light. | Lunch: Miyajima oyster stall Outstanding Miyajima grilled oysters, the finest street food on the island. Eaten overlooking the extraordinary torii gate. | Dinner: Return dinner in Hiroshima Outstanding Hiroshima okonomiyaki or oyster dinner on return from the extraordinary Miyajima island.
DAY 3
ONOMICHI AND SHIMANAMI
MORNING
ONOMICHI TEMPLE WALK
The Onomichi Temple Walk is the most extraordinary hillside heritage trail in western Japan, its remarkable 25 temples connected by steep stone paths through extraordinary cat-filled alleys, fine views over the Onomichi Channel and the remarkable Senko-ji Park ropeway giving the finest temple trail in the Chugoku region. The extraordinary Senko-ji Temple and the remarkable bell tower give the finest views over the Setouchi islands. Ropeway approx 280 yen. Drive: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
ONOMICHI CAT ALLEY AND HARBOUR
Onomichi is the most extraordinary cat town in Japan, its remarkable colony of resident cats lounging on ancient stone walls, extraordinary temple steps and the fine wooden lattice-work of the old merchant quarter giving the most atmospheric cat-watching experience in the country. The remarkable Onomichi harbour and the extraordinary Setouchi ferry views give the finest harbour town in western Honshu. Free. Drive: 1 hr drive/ferry
AFTERNOON
SHIMANAMI KAIDO FIRST BRIDGE
The Shimanami Kaido is the most extraordinary cycling route in Japan, its remarkable 70km series of suspension bridges connecting six Setouchi islands from Onomichi to Imabari giving the finest island cycling in Asia. Even a single crossing of the extraordinary Innoshima Bridge gives the finest view over the Inland Sea. Rental bikes available at every island. Bridge toll approx 200 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ikuchi Island on the Shimanami Kaido contains Kosanji Temple, the most extraordinary privately built temple complex in Japan, its remarkable marble Hill of Hope and the extraordinary reproductions of Japan's finest temples giving the most unusual religious heritage in the Setouchi. Entry approx 1400 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Onomichi morning cafe Outstanding Japanese breakfast in the finest hillside cat town in western Japan before the temple walk. | Lunch: Onomichi ramen restaurant Outstanding Onomichi soy ramen with extraordinary back fat, the finest local noodle in western Honshu. | Dinner: Return dinner in Hiroshima Outstanding farewell Hiroshima dinner. Local oysters, sake and the finest okonomiyaki in the city.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Hiroshima, Nights 1 to 2 Best base. Hotels from 70 to 180 euros. Tram to Peace Park and ferry to Miyajima. Miyajima overnight option Stay on the island for the extraordinary torii at dawn and dusk without day-trippers. Budget option Business hotels in Hiroshima from 50 euros. Hostels near Hiroshima station from 30 euros.
Top Tips
1. Miyajima torii at high tide: check the tide table at miyajima.or.jp before visiting. The extraordinary floating gate requires high tide , the difference between iconic and muddy.
2. Peace Museum: allow 3 hours minimum. The extraordinary survivor testimony videos are the most important content. Many visitors underestimate the time needed.
3. Hiroshima oysters: the finest way to eat them is kaki fry , deep fried in panko. The extraordinary Hiroshima oyster is three times the size of a French oyster. Order a dozen.
4. Onomichi cats: the extraordinary Cat Museum at the top of the temple walk has the finest cat merchandise in Japan. The resident cats are most active in the cool morning hours.
5. Miyajima deer: unlike Nara deer, Miyajima deer are wild and occasionally aggressive. Do not feed them or leave bags unattended , they will investigate and sometimes bite.
6. Shinkansen from Hiroshima: the extraordinary Nozomi Shinkansen reaches Osaka in 90 minutes and Tokyo in 4 hours. Hiroshima is the finest base in western Honshu.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day