Hiroshima travel guide

There's a lot more to Hiroshima than what we learn about in history class. Although of course remembering and respecting the past, Hiroshima is a lively fun city full of good food. A short way away is the hugely impressive Miyajima, famous for the floating Torii at Itsukushima shrine, and also the less well known Iwakuni. Onomichi and the Shimanami Kaido are also close by.

How to get there

Hiroshima is just a short shinkansen ride away from Osaka (just over an hour on the Nozomi, costing around 10,000 yen). A more economical option is the night bus, which is around 5000 yen. 

What to do in Hiroshima

The Genbaku dome and the peace park

sad, especially the museum, but it's still important to go

Hiroshima castle

It's a reconstruction, but it's still worth a visit. If you go on Sunday, there are Samurai performances at 1:30 and 3:00. The shrine next door to the castle is also pretty. Also, the grounds were lovely in Sakura season.

Day trips from Hiroshima

Miyajima 

Famous for its shrine- Itsukushima shrine, and the shrine's Torii, which is huge and appears to float at high tide. It's also one of Japan's 'three scenic views'.

Iwakuni, Iwakuni castle and the Kintaikyo bridge

Iwakuni is a smallish town about an hour away from Hiroshima, and is famous for the five arched Kintai-kyo bridge and Iwakuni castle.

Onomichi and the Shimanami Kaido are also meant to be lovely, but I didn't have time to visit.

What to eat

Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki

Hiroshima's regional specialty is Hiroshima-style 'modan' Okonomiyaki with noodles added to it.

Hassho's ( 八昌) main restaurant near (銀山町) is famous, and there are queues of about an hour most days. However, there's another branch in nagarekawacho (流川町) only a few blocks away which we managed to get seats in both times we went. It was so delicious, and massive! Less of a restaurant atmosphere- you aren't sitting round the teppan and its open until 4am most days.

Kaki (oysters) and Anago (a type of eel) are also local specialities

The most popular omiyage, Momiji manju, was also really tasty:

Where to stay:

I stayed in a lovely airbnb in Kanayamacho, which was a super lively area in the entertainment district of Hiroshima. It was a really convenient (within walking distance of the tram stop and the centre of town) and fun area to stay in.

How to get around Hiroshima:

The trams are really convenient at a flat rate of 160 yen within the city. You can use your ICOCA or IC card too. If you have a JR pass, you can also use the tourist 'Maple bus' for free.

Thanks for reading! 

If you have the chance, definitely go to Hiroshima, it's such a lovely city!

-Amy xoxo