Things to do in Hiroshima: 12 Must-See Places + Miyajima (2026 Guide)

There are places you visit with a camera in hand, and others you visit in silence. Hiroshima is one of the latter, even if it later surprises you with its energy and great food. In this post, we tell you things to do in Hiroshima based on our own experience: we went on a day trip from Osaka, added the nearby island of Miyajima, and returned with our hearts a little stirred and our heads full of images.

We are a couple of travelers from Argentina, and in almost a month of traveling through Japan (Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, Osaka, and Kyoto), this was one of the days that left the biggest mark on us. Here we leave you everything we saw, how we got around, how much each thing costs in 2026, and our honest tips so you can make the most of it.

Summary: things to do in Hiroshima – Japan

Hiroshima in one day: our experience from Osaka

We stayed for four nights in Osaka and planned a full-day excursion from there. We left early, very early, because we wanted to combine the city of Hiroshima with the island of Miyajima without rushing like crazy. Spoiler: it is possible, but you have to be organized.

The formula that worked for us was simple: in the morning, Miyajima Island with high tide to see the famous “floating” torii; in the afternoon, the Peace Memorial Park in the center of Hiroshima. We did it in the opposite order that many guides recommend, and for us, it was perfect. We left the most reflective moment for the end of the day.

If you have more time, the ideal would be to spend one night in the area. But if you are short on days, as we were, we assure you that in one well-spent day you can see the essentials. And before we continue, a piece of traveler advice: we never start a trip to Japan without good travel insurance, because medical care there is excellent but extremely expensive.

How to get to Hiroshima from Osaka (and how to get around)

By shinkansen, the queen option

The most comfortable and fastest way to arrive is the bullet train. The shinkansen leaves from Shin-Osaka station and arrives at Hiroshima station in about 80 to 90 minutes, depending on the service. If you have the Japan Rail Pass, this section is covered (note: the JR Pass does not include the fastest Nozomi trains; you must take the Hikari or Sakura).

In our case, we were using the train pass, so getting on and off without paying again was a relief for our budget. You arrive by noon comfortably if you left first thing in the morning.

The streetcar (Hiroden) to get around the city

Once in Hiroshima, the city gets around with a historic streetcar called Hiroden, a real character. To get to the Peace Park, you have to get off at the Genbaku-Dōmu-mae stop, and the trip costs around 240 yen. It is cheap, picturesque, and leaves you practically at the door. Keep in mind: you pay when you get off.

Things to do in Hiroshima: the Peace Memorial Park

If there is one thing that defines things to do in Hiroshima, it is this park. There are over 120,000 square meters of grass, trees, and paths right in the center, right where the city’s commercial heart used to beat. Walking it is a powerful experience, one of those you don’t forget. Entrance to the park is free.

The Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome)

The first place we arrived at was the Atomic Bomb Dome, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the skeleton of a building that miraculously remained standing after the explosion on August 6, 1945. Seeing it in person is impactful in a way that is difficult to explain in words.

You don’t enter: you observe it from the outside, and that is enough. We stayed for a good while there, in silence, looking at the reflection of the dome in the river. A moment that suddenly rearranges your priorities.

The Peace Memorial Museum

The Peace Memorial Museum tells, through personal items, photos, and testimonies from survivors, what the bomb meant for ordinary people. It is not just another tourist visit; it is an encounter with history that stirs you from within.

The entrance fee is just 200 yen for adults (children under 15 enter for free), a symbolic price for what it offers. The general opening hours are from 7:30 to 19:00 (until 20:00 in August and until 18:00 from December to February), with the last entry 30 minutes before closing. However: in certain time slots and peak dates, you need to book online on the museum’s official website. We recommend checking it before you go so you don’t get left out.

Never forget. Never repeat. Always learn. 🙏

…”At 8:15 in the morning on August 6, 1945, an American B-29 bomber carried out the world’s first atomic bombing. The bomb exploded approximately 600 meters above ground and 160 meters southeast of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, piercing and incinerating the building, and instantly killing all the people inside.

Because the explosion hit almost directly from above, some of the central walls remained standing, leaving enough of the building and its iron structure for it to be recognized as a dome. After the war, these dramatic remains became known as the Atomic Bomb Dome.”

The Children’s Peace Monument and the cenotaph

Inside the park, there are two places that moved us especially. The Children’s Peace Monument, dedicated to Sadako and all the children victims of the bomb, is always surrounded by thousands of colored paper cranes. It is impossible not to stay and look at them.

And then there is the cenotaph, with the Peace Flame, which burns and will continue to burn until there is not a single nuclear weapon left in the world. From there, the monument’s arch, the flame, and the dome in the background line up perfectly. One of the strongest postcards of the trip.

More things to do in Hiroshima beyond the park

Hiroshima Castle (attention: under construction)

Hiroshima Castle, also known as the “carp castle,” is a reconstruction of the original which was also blown to pieces in 1945. A note for 2026: the castle is closed to the public due to renovation work since March 23, 2026, so you cannot go inside. However, you can still walk through the gardens and the exterior, and the area is pleasant for a short walk.

Shukkeien Garden

Very close to the center is the Shukkeien garden, a beautiful 17th-century Japanese garden with ponds, little bridges, and paths. Many travelers choose it to end the day calmly after the emotional weight of the park. We didn’t manage to go in due to time, but from what we saw from the outside and what people say, it is worth it if you have a little extra time.

What to eat in Hiroshima: okonomiyaki, yes or yes

After an intense morning, the body asks for food, and Hiroshima has a jewel: Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Unlike the one in Osaka, here it is built in layers, with a lot of cabbage and, best of all, a base of yakisoba noodles inside. It is hearty, delicious, and cooked on a hot griddle right in front of you.

We thought it was a home run and the perfect way to recharge energy. If you want to delve deeper into the country’s flavors, we leave you our post on Japanese food with everything we tried on the trip. Spoiler: we ate very, very well.

Things to do in Hiroshima and Miyajima: combine both in one day

If there is one getaway you cannot miss, it is Miyajima. The sacred island is a step away from Hiroshima and is the perfect complement: that is why so many people search directly for things to do in Hiroshima and Miyajima together. We combined it on the same day and it stole our hearts with its red torii that seems to float in the sea.

To get there from Hiroshima station, take the JR Sanyo line to Miyajimaguchi (about 25 minutes) and then a 10-minute ferry. There are two companies: the JR one (included in the JR Pass, choose that one!) and the Matsudai Kisen. Keep in mind: since the end of 2023, there is a tourist tax of 100 yen per person to enter the island.

On the island, the Itsukushima shrine and its famous torii await you (watch out for the tide table: with high tide it floats, with low tide you walk to its base), the very peaceful Daisho-in temple, Mount Misen with its views of the Seto Inland Sea, the most brazen deer in Japan (they almost stole our ferry brochure, hahaha!), and freshly made momiji manju. As you can see, the island has a lot to offer.

Precisely because it has so much to offer, we dedicated an entire post to it: we tell you everything in our guide on things to do in Miyajima, with prices, hours, and our tips to make the most of it.

All the info: ➜ Things to do in Miyajima

And if you liked the free-roaming deer, don’t miss ➜ Things to do in Nara, another Japanese city famous for the same thing.

How many days do you need to see Hiroshima and Miyajima?

We will answer you honestly. In a full day, as we did, you see the essentials: Miyajima in the morning and the Peace Park in the afternoon. It is intense, but totally possible if you leave early from Osaka or Kyoto.

Now, if you can, two days is ideal: one for Hiroshima calmly (including the museum without rushing) and another for Miyajima, staying until sunset, when the day-trippers leave and the island is magical with the illuminated torii. We don’t recommend it if you have very little time, but if you can add that night, you won’t regret it.

Practical tips for your visit (to keep in mind)

Some things we learned and that can be very useful for you:

• Check the Miyajima tide: at high tide the torii floats; at low tide you walk to it. Both versions are beautiful, but choose according to the photo you want.
• Leave early: if you do it in one day from Osaka, it is better to leave before 7:30 to avoid rushing.
• Book the museum: at certain times and peak dates (especially near August 6) entry to the museum requires online booking.
• Bring cash: for the streetcar, the island tax, and some food stalls, it is always good to have yen on hand.
• Comfortable footwear: you walk a lot, especially if you go up Mount Misen.
• Respect in the park: it is a place of memory, not an amusement park. The silence is felt and appreciated.

And if you are just putting together your route through the country, you can also see our guide on things to do in Tokyo and the one on things to do in Takayama, two stops that we loved on this same trip.

Where to stay in Hiroshima: Map and Prices

On the map below you can move, zoom, and filter by your dates to see prices of accommodation in Hiroshima:

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Hiroshima

Can you visit Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day?

Yes, we did it from Osaka and it is possible. The key is to leave early: Miyajima in the morning with high tide and the Peace Memorial Park in the afternoon. It is an intense day, but it is very productive.

How much does it cost to enter the Peace Memorial Museum?

General admission for adults is 200 yen and children under 15 enter for free. It is a symbolic price for what it offers, and at some times it is advisable to book online in advance.

Things to do in Hiroshima if I have half a day?

With half a day, the essential is the Peace Memorial Park: the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Museum, and the Children’s Peace Monument. Everything is concentrated and you walk calmly.

How do I get to Hiroshima from Osaka?

By shinkansen from Shin-Osaka station to Hiroshima station in about 80 to 90 minutes. If you have a JR Pass, the section is covered (taking Hikari or Sakura trains, not Nozomi).

Is the Miyajima floating torii restored?

Yes. It was covered in scaffolding between 2019 and the end of 2022, but since then it looks completely restored, in all its splendor. Remember to check the tide table to see it “floating”.

Do I need to pay to enter Miyajima Island?

Since the end of 2023, there is a tourist tax of 100 yen per person to visit the island. It is a small amount that is added to the cost of the ferry.

Conclusion: why Hiroshima left such a mark on us

If you made it this far, you are very clear about things to do in Hiroshima and why we believe it deserves a place on your route through Japan. It is a city that combines, like few others, the most painful memory with an energy of reconstruction and hope that is breathed in every corner. And a step away, Miyajima adds the touch of magic with its torii floating in the sea.

We went on a day trip from Osaka and returned in silence, thinking. Of all the places we visited in almost a month in Japan, Hiroshima was one of those that made us reflect the most. If you go, go with time, with respect, and with an open heart. It will not leave you the same. Are you already planning your trip to Japan? Tell us in the comments what you are most looking forward to seeing.

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— Nanu & Facu 🌎 | Recalculando Viajes 💜