1-Day Hiroshima & Miyajima Tour

Hiroshima is a beautiful prefecture with many charming and meaningful locations. So many in fact, that it can be difficult to plan a trip when time is tight. This tour has been specially designed so that guests can visit the most relevant and highlighted places in Hiroshima within just one day.

In the Hiroshima City Center, we will make stops at the Shukkei-en gardben, Hiroshima Castle Ruins, and Peace Memorial Park and Museum so that you may experience different aspects of the city. You will learn about Hiroshima city’s origins as a castle town during the Sengoku Period, its importance as Japan unified and developed, and the impact and legacy of the Atomic Bomb.

You will then have the unique experience of traveling to Miyajima, an island located not too far from the mainland, on the World Heritage Sea Route ferry leaving from Peace Memorial Park. The ship travels through the Honkawa or Motoyasu River depending on the tide, allowing you to enjoy the view of Hiroshima city from the water.

Miyajima is a breathtaking island which has long been regarded as one of the three most scenic spots of Japan. While the island itself is fairly small, it is brimming with otherworldly scenic spots, and a relaxing atmosphere which is nearly second to none.

On this second part of the tour, you will be able to appreciate all the different things that Miyajima has to offer, from its beautiful shrines and temples to its abundant nature. You will gain a better understanding of Japanese religion by visiting the Senjokaku Pavilion, Itsukushima Shrine, and Daisho-in temple. You will be able to admire the iconic “floating” O-torii gate during both high and low tide and enjoy many local delicacies.

Feel fulfilled in your visit to Hiroshima by joining this full-day tour of the Hiroshima City Center and Miyajima.

Highlights

• Take a relaxing stroll within the Shukkei-en garden, appreciating not only its beauty, but also how it has changed and evolved since the Edo Period
• Admire Hiroshima Castle and discover the role it played in the development of the city and Chūgoku region *this tour does not include a stop inside the castle tower*
• Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and its most relevant monuments such as the Atomic Bomb Dome, Children’s Peace Monument, and the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb
• Tour the Peace Memorial Museum and reflect upon the realities of nuclear warfare and the legacy of Hiroshima
• Enjoy a ferry ride to Miyajima along the World Heritage Sea Route
• Explore Miyajima, one of Japan’s top three scenic spots and admire its natural beauty
• Tour the Senjokaku Pavilion, Itsukushima Shrine, and Daisho-in temple to gain a better understanding of Japanese Buddhism and Shintoism
• Observe the wild deer which roam the island
• Sample local delicacies such as oysters, conger eel, and momiji manjū
• Admire the iconic “floating” O-torii gate from afar and up-close as the tide changes

*For those looking to join the tour from Kyoto/Osaka, please see the FAQ section.

Description

This tour will begin at Hiroshima Station at 9:00 AM. Your guide will meet you by the Shinkansen Gates under the Tourist Information sign. There are coin lockers available at the station if you wish to leave any belongings behind, but we ask that you show up a bit earlier to the meet-up spot if this is the case.

Your guide will lead you out of Hiroshima Station and provide some brief information about the city as you make your way to the first destination of the day, Shukkei-en Garden.

Within the garden, you will take a leisurely stroll around the main pond, admiring the tea houses, bridges, and hills, while stopping at the best photo spots. Your guide will also give a thorough explanation of Japanese gardens and their main design principles. As you walk, you will learn about the construction of Shukkei-en during the Edo period, its concept as a “miniaturized landscape,” and its different restorations in the past 400 years.

After finishing the tour of the garden, we will walk to our next location, the Hiroshima Castle Ruins. Your guide will take you to the main locations within the ruins and explain their history, purpose, and significance. These locations include the Castle Tower, Ninomaru enclosure, and Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine. By using Hiroshima Castle as “case study,” you will gain a better understanding of Japanese history and the development of castle towns. As you walk through the ruins, your guide will help you picture what life would have been like during the Edo Period in a flourishing city of Japan. 

Our next stop will be the Atomic Bomb Dome located within the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. This building was inaugurated in 1915, with the purpose of exhibiting and selling products from Hiroshima Prefecture and it was the only structure left standing near the explosion’s hypocenter. As you walk to this next location, your guide will provide historical context about World War II and the events leading up to the bombing. As you observe the ruins you will be asked to consider the purpose of their preservation and what message the Atomic Bomb Dome is aiming to convey.

Your guide will then take you for a brief stroll around the park in order to visit and explain some of its most relevant monuments. As you walk, you will hear about Kenzō Tange, the architect who designed both the park and the museum, thereby gaining a better understanding of the layout of the park and the intention behind it.

We will stop at the Children’s Peace Monument and learn about the story of Sadako Sasaki and the other children who perished as a result of the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima. Around 10 million origami cranes, a symbol of peace, are offered every year at this monument, and it is not uncommon to see school groups making said offerings throughout any given day of the year.

Next, we will visit the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb, in which lies a registry of the names of all of those who perished as a consequence of the bombing. By standing in front of this monument, you can observe the “Flame of Peace,” and Atomic Bomb Dome in perfect alignment. You may choose to approach the cenotaph and offer a prayer for the victims of the bombing, or to reflect on the impact of such a tragic event.

Our last stop before traveling to Miyajima will be the Peace Memorial Museum. Within, you will be able to observe the personal belongings left behind by the victims of the atomic bombing. The exhibits will walk you through the events of August 6th, the many hardships and trauma that followed in the years after, and the ultimate reconstruction of the city.  Your tour guide will offer some context before entering the different exhibition rooms, but for the most part, this will serve as an opportunity to quietly learn about and reflect on this historical event. 

Next, your guide will take you to the pier located near the museum where you will board the ferry to Miyajima. This ferry ride is about 45 minutes long and your guide will indicate relevant spots along the way.

After arriving at the Miyajima pier, we will walk to the first destination, Omotesando Shopping Street. Lined with multiple shops and restaurants, this street is a perfect place to grab lunch, eat tasty snacks, or purchase souvenirs. Here, you will enjoy around two hours of free time before we begin the guided tour in Miyajima. This might also be a good time to get some pictures of the many deer around the island or take a short stroll along the shore!

Our next stop will be the Senjokaku Pavilion. This pavilion is actually a shrine whose construction was never completed and still remains unfinished to this day. This shrine is unique in its spaciousness and lack of proper entrances or exits, unintentionally creating a building in which beautiful views are accessible from all sides. Your tour guide will provide an explanation of the history and different elements found within the shrine. You will also have the opportunity to relax and take in the beautiful scenery of the island.

Next, you will make your way to Itsukushima Shrine. Your guide will provide insights about Shintoism (Japan’s indigenous religion) and the history of the shrine. As you make your way through the temple, observe the different worship halls, the unique architecture of the “floating shrine,” and the iconic O-torii gate located in the Seto Inland Sea.

Your guide will then lead you on a walk to the Daisho-in temple, a prestigious Shingon Buddhist temple located not too far from Itsukushima Shrine. Throughout the temple grounds you will be able to observe a myriad of Buddhist figures, with different statues greeting you anywhere you go. Multiple halls are also located throughout the temple grounds, but none is as stunning and breathtaking as the Daishi Hall, with its 88 statues representing the Shikoku Pilgrimage of 88 temples. The room is lit by golden lanterns which hang from the ceiling, creating a stunning and unique scenery.

After finishing the guided tour at the Daisho-in temple we will begin making our way back to the Miyajima pier.  You will have the opportunity to make any last-minute purchases or take some final photos.

A Miyajima trip is not complete without walking up to the O-torii gate during low-tide! However, due to how much the tide can vary from one day to another, your tour guide will do their best to schedule a guided walk towards the gate at the most appropriate moment during the tour. This might happen before, during, or after free time.

Once you arrive back at the pier, your guide will accompany you on the ferry back to the mainland and one last train ride, with the tour ending at Hiroshima Station. Feel free to ask the guide for dinner recommendations or instructions back to your hotel.

TOUR MEETUP POINT

HIROSHIMA STATION @ 9:00 A.M.

The meetup point is under the Tourist Information sign outside of the Shinkansen gates. 

If you are arriving via Shinkansen, the sign will be located directly to your left as you exit the gates.

If you are arriving via a JR line, please look for signs directing you towards the Shinkansen gates. It is located on the same floor as the JR lines gates.

For those coming from outside the station via bus, your first task will be to find an Underground Passage and then following the signs directing you to Hiroshima Station. These underground passages are usually located very close to bus stops. Once you have made it to Hiroshima Station, follow the signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

For those coming from outside the station via Streetcar, Hiroshima Station will be right next to you. Follow the signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

Lastly, if you wish to arrive via taxi, please ask the driver to drop you off at the Shinkansen Entrance (also known as North Entrance). After arriving, please look for signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

When you arrive, be sure to look for the guide holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign. We highly recommend arriving early as Hiroshima Station is currently under heavy construction and can be quite disorienting.   

NOTES

Included

• English speaking guide
• Entry fees at all tour locations
• Ropeway Tickets
• Transportation to/from Miyajima (Ferry and Train)

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation
• Transportation to meet-up point

Other Information

• This tour involves several hours of walking outdoors. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or raincoat if necessary.
• There is a 45-minute-long ferry ride on this tour. We ask that you take precautionary measures if you are prone to experiencing seasickness.
• In the summer, temperature highs are around 32 °C (90 °F) and above with extreme humidity. We recommend wearing something light and airy while minding sunburn and heatstroke. A parasol, sunblock, and water are highly encouraged.
• Winter temperatures in Hiroshima average between 1°C-10°C. (34°F-50°F). Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for cold conditions. 
• The World Heritage Sea Route ferry might change times or be canceled due to low tide. If this is the case, we will take an alternative route to Miyajima involving a bus, train, and shorter ferry ride. This route is about 20 minutes longer.