Places You'll See
Highlights
- 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
- Explore historical sites in the city of Hiroshima such as the Shukkei-en Garden and Hiroshima Castle
- Travel to two different islands, Miyajima and Rabbit Island, located on the Seto Inland Sea
- Experience the Miyajima Ropeway and take in the stunning sights from inside the cable car
- Tour the Senjokaku Pavilion, Itsukushima Shrine, and Daisho-in temple to gain a better understanding of Japanese Buddhism and Shintoism
- Admire the iconic “floating” O-torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine from afar and up-close as the tide changes
- Interact with the local wildlife, such as the deer of Miyajima and the bunnies of Rabbit Island
- Revel in the unique experience of feeding a large number of wild rabbits
- Explore the city of Takehara's Townscape Conservation Area which still retains the appearance of a historic Japanese town
Description
Discover the history, nature, and scenic beauty of Hiroshima Prefecture! Visit relevant historic locations and monuments within the city centre to learn about its past and the impact of the atomic bombing. Explore two beautiful islands, Miyajima and Rabbit Island, interacting with the charming wild rabbits and deer which inhabit them. Reach the highest point of these islands and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea. Get the most out of your visit to the prefecture on this 3-day adventure!
*ESTIMATED BUDGET – Please note that the estimated budget advertised on this page is only for the cost of the tours and what they include. Some tours may include transportation between tour destinations via tour buses. However some tours do not include transportation between tour destinations, and you will need to book your own transportation in such cases. Please refer to each tour listed on this page for further information on what is not included.
Day 1 HIROSHIMA
How to Start Off Your Day
Your first task will of course be arriving in Hiroshima, which you can either do the night before the start of the itinerary or in the morning of day one. For information on how to get to the city from places such as Tokyo and Osaka, you can take a look through our "How to Get to Hiroshima" webpage.
Once you're all settled in, you will head out to visit all of the most important and popular locations in the Hiroshima city centre. Starting from Hiroshima Station, your guide will take you on a walking tour around the city, explaining the history of Hiroshima before and after the atomic bombing. By the time the tour is over, guests will have a solid understanding of why Hiroshima is known as the "city of peace."
Half-Day Hiroshima Highlights Tour / All Year Round
If you are short of time but still want to make sure you visit all the most important places within the city of Hiroshima, then look no further than our Half-Day Hiroshima Highlights tour. Offered at two different time slots, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, this tour will take guests on foot through Hiroshima's must-see sites. You will be able to visit Shukkei-en garden, Hiroshima Castle, the Atomic Bomb Dome, several monuments in Peace Memorial Park, and the Peace Memorial Museum, all in around 4 hours. With this tour, guests can visit Hiroshima for just half a day while still getting a detailed and comprehensive experience. It also allows for more flexible travel times and leaves the rest of the day open for other fun activities!
How to End Your Day
As this is a half-day tour, you will have plenty of time to explore the city once the tour is over. We recommend guests check out Hondori Shopping Street, a bustling shopping area filled with cafes, restaurants, local and international stores, gaming arcades, and more. On the west side, this street faces Peace Memorial Park and on the east side it faces the "entertainment district" Nagarekawa. In Nagarekawa is where you can find Hiroshima's nightlife, with plenty of bars and nightclubs open past midnight. If you're looking for a good place to have dinner, we recommend trying out the local specialty, Okonomiyaki. This "savory pancake" can be best enjoyed at Okonomimura, a building full of restaurants which exclusively serve this dish.
Recommended Accommodation
There are plenty of great hotel options which can be found around Hiroshima, and where you end up choosing to stay largely depends on how you wish to spend your day when not taking part in tours. For guests who might not have the energy or time to explore the streets of Hiroshima, the best option would undoubtedly be to stay at one of the many hotels near Hiroshima Station. As this is the starting point for most tours, choosing one of these will greatly minimize the amount of traveling you will have to do. If you're more interested in walking around the city, eating at local restaurants, shopping, and visiting top tourist spots, we recommend staying in the Central / Hatchobori Station area. Here, you will be closest to the shops and restaurants, and hotel prices can be cheaper than those at the station.
Day 2 MIYAJIMA
How to Start Off Your Day
On your second day, you will head to the stunning island of Miyajima where you will enjoy a full day of exploring this incredibly popular destination. Not only will you be able to visit multiple temples and shrines, but also experience a ropeway ride to the top of Mount Misen, the highest point on the island. Miyajima's tranquil atmosphere, natural beauty, and remarkable scenic sights will make for the experience of a lifetime.
1-Day Miyajima Tour: One of Japan’s Most Scenic Spots / All Year Round
Located only a short ferry ride away from the mainland, Itsukushima, popularly known as Miyajima, is a breathtaking island which has long been regarded as one of the three most scenic spots of Japan. This is a must-see destination for those visiting Hiroshima for the first time and is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience for those who decided to spend a day on the island. While Miyajima is best known for its "floating" O-torii gate and shrine, it is also home to many other breathtaking sites. This 1-day tour will allow guests to thoroughly explore the island and all that it has to offer. Apart from visiting Itsukushima Shrine, your guide will also take you to places such as the Daisho-in temple, a prestigious Buddhist temple located by the foot of the mountain, and Senjokaku Pavilion, a building which provides a stunning view of the island. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a Ropeway ride to the top of Mt. Misen, where they will find themselves captivated by the extraordinary view of the Seto Inland Sea.
You can find out more information about this tour by clicking on "View Details" above. Alternatively, you can also click "Book Now" if you are ready to enjoy one of Japan's most mesmerizing sites!
How to End Your Day
A full-day of exploring Miyajima can be very rewarding but also exhausting. Thus, we recommend ending the day with dinner at a local restaurant followed by plenty of rest. The next day of this itinerary has quite the early starting time so its best to have a good night's sleep. If you still have some energy in you and would like to continue exploring the city, you can enjoy a relaxing stroll around Peace Memorial Park and along the Motoyasu River to take in the sight of the Atomic Bomb Dome illuminated at night.
Day 3 RABBIT ISLAND
How to Start Off Your Day
Your last day of exploring Hiroshima will allow your to further immerse yourself in the nature and scenic beauty of the prefecture. You will have the chance to visit another island on the Seto Inland Sea and interact with its wildlife. Make sure to check the weather forecast and dress appropriately as most of the day will be spent walking outside. Also, if you are planning to leave Hiroshima immediately after this tour, then it might be best to check-out of your hotel before going to the meet-up spot. Many hotels will hold your luggage for the day even after you've checked out, and in the case that they won't, you can always make use of the coin lockers at the station.
1-Day Tour: Takehara Historical Townscape & Rabbit Island / All Year Round
Are you prepared for a fluffy and adorable adventure? If so, then look no further than this 1-Day Takehara & Rabbit Island Tour! Guests will visit Takehara, a charming and beautiful city within Hiroshima Prefecture, which is home to both a historical townscape area and the famous "Rabbit Island." Within the old townscape, you will be able to learn about city's history as a major site of sake and salt production. You will also have the chance to view and explore former family residences, old temples and other historic structures. On Rabbit Island, which is located just a short ferry ride away from the port, you will then feed and interact with the large wild rabbit population of the island. While you do so, you will also discover the many military ruins which litter the island and unveil the dark past of this otherwise charming location.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn more about the history of Hiroshima while exploring an old-fashioned townscape and hanging out with cute bunnies all day!
How to End Your Day
Once you have returned to Hiroshima you will have two main options. You may either choose to spend one more night exploring the city before leaving the next day in the morning, or immediately head out to your next destination. For those wishing to leave the prefecture after the tour, we recommend booking your Shinkansen tickets late at night so there will be no chance of you potentially missing your train.
If you choose to stay, are up for a walk, and would like to get a great view of the city nightscape, there are two locations which you can visit near Hiroshima Station. One of them is Mount Futaba, which can be hiked in about 30 minutes and has the Peace Pagoda built at its highest point. From here you can get the clearest view of the city. The other is Hijiyama Park, which is located on a small hill close to the station. Here, you can also get a good panoramic view of the city while enjoying the park's nature. Going to either of these places is great way to wrap up your visit to Hiroshima.
