Day 11: Today we'll be making our way to Hiroshima, it is quite a trip of around 2h so we'll be leaving early again to make most of our day. Hiroshima, of course, is mostly known by people through the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945. Luckily, it has rebuilt itself to be a bustling city – one that welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. After dropping of our luggage we'll be visiting the Peace Memorial first. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum rests in the heart of the city, inviting guests from all around the world to remember the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
Everything is very near one another so we'll be moving from one to another, followed by visiting the "Genbaku Dome". Formerly known as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, the “Genbaku Dome” or the Atomic Bomb Dome has become a symbol of hope and a reminder of the destructive capabilities of nuclear weapons. Constructed in 1915 by Czech architect Jan Letzel, the Atomic Bomb Dome was a sight to behold decades before it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
We'll be continueing onto The Hiroshima Orizuru Tower, which is directly behind the Atomic Bomb Dome, stands near the bomb’s hypocenter. “Orizuru“, which stands for “folded crane“, is a famous symbol of peace. From several vantage points on the rooftop and twelfth floor, you can enjoy spectacular aerial views of the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, and Hiroshima City’s skyline. There is also a slide which guests can take all the way back down to the first floor, a rooftop cafe, and a place to fold your own peace crane. The gift shop on the first floor is an excellent place to grab some “omiyage” or souvenirs.
A day trip to Hiroshima would not be complete without visiting Hiroshima Castle. This beautiful building plays another big part in Hiroshima’s long history. Also known as the Carp Castle, Hiroshima Castle was once home to a feudal lord. It was designated a National Treasure in 1931 and the main tower was rebuilt in 1958 after the original castle was toppled by the a-bomb and subsequently destroyed. Almost next to it we'll find the next temple: Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine, it's a Shinto shrine founded in the Meiji era. It was rebuilt after it was destroyed by the atomic bomb and relocated to its present location. From Hiroshima Castle, it takes less than five minutes to walk to Gokoku Shrine. It’s said that the number of casualties of Japan’s greatest wars stretches well into the thousands, many of whose souls are enshrined at Gokoku Shrine. Victims of the a-bombing are also enshrined here.
We'll end our first day in Hiroshima by going to the Hondōri Shopping Street. It's the liveliest place in all of Hiroshima and definitely worth a visit. Easily recognizable by its covered archway, this busy shopping district is made up of a menagerie of Western-style eateries, vintage clothing shops, and luxury boutiques. The further down Hondōri Street you go, the more recognizable the name brands become. And we can't end our evening unless we visit Fumi-Chan’s Okonomiyaki Restaurant. When it comes to culinary delicacies, Hiroshima is famous for two things: oysters and okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki is a savoury dish that is reminiscent of a “veggie pancake“, consisting of batter, a variety of toppings, and different kinds of protein (there are also vegetarian options available). This concludes our first day in Hiroshima.
Day 12: Today we'll be exploring our last day trip of our whole trip, visiting the wonderful island of Miyajima. We'll be taking the train to Miyajimaguchi Station and from there on out we'll take the ferry to the island. Miyajima is overall very mountainous. All the well-known sightseeing spots and shops are located in the upper half of the island, fairly close to the pier. But still, be prepared for a lot of walking throughout the day!
Once we arrive in Miyajima, we'll walk along the shore to reach the area surrounding Itsukushima Shrine. This should take around 10–15 minutes. Soon, we'll be able to make out the shape of the shrine’s famous vermilion gate in front of us, and dozens of deer. Just like Nara, Miyajima is well-known for its gentle-eyed furry residents. It even goes by the nickname “deer island”. Don’t let them trick you with their charming attempts to steal food from your bags though. They can be pretty cunning if they want to! Before entering Itsukushima Shrine, we'll take a quick walk up the small hill that will lead us to the Five-Storied Pagoda of Miyajima, and Senjōkaku Pavilion. Senjō (千畳) translates as “one-thousand tatami mats”, which is a common unit for measuring the size of a room in Japan. Senjōkaku Pavilion was originally commissioned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1587 and has never been fully completed after his death. After visiting the shrine we'll finally visit what Miyajima is most famous for: Itsukushima Shrine (or Itsukushima-jinja), it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. The shrine itself was reportedly built in 593 during the reign of Empress Suiko. Famous for its red torii gate, it steadily became one of the most beloved places in Japan over the last decades.
After this we'll go and Admire The Grand Torii Gate! The current Grand Torii Gate was built in 1875. Between 2019 and 2022, it underwent extensive restoration and can now be unrestrictedly admired by us. This huge Torii Gate can be admired at two different times, during low and high tide. It will both offer spectacular views, so if we're lucky we'll be able to see both. After this we're going on a little hike to get stunning 360° views of the area. We'll be hiking Mt. Misen but don't fret, it's not a long or strenuous hike. From Itsukushima Shrine, walk to the Miyajima Ropeway Momijidani Station. This should take around 10–15 minutes. There is a picturesque trail leading through Momijidani Park across the Momiji Bridge and the Momijidani Bridge. Reaching 535m above sea level, Mt. Misen is the highest peak on Miyajima. By ropeway, you first need to go all the way up to Shishiiwa Station, including a transfer at Kayadani Station. From there, follow the path up to Mt. Misen Observatory on foot. There are some places to stop by on the way, like the Eternal Flame of Reikado Hall. Some people may prefer to return after going to Shishiiwa Observatory, but for a 360° panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea, climbing up to Mt. Misen Observatory is necessary.
Once we’ve returned to Momijidani Station, we'll follow the path back through Momijidani Park to the liveliest area of Miyajima. On Miyajima Omotesandō Shopping Street, we’ll find shops selling all kinds of handicrafts, souvenirs, and street food. A perfect place to have a lovely break, but to also taste some of Miyajima’s local specialities.
Before dusk, we'll head back to the Grand Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine. If we haven’t been able to see the area during high tide or vice versa, this is our chance to make up for that. At the right moment, the sun will peak through the four-pillar construction, dyeing the frothy waves or wet sand beneath the gate in the deepest orange. After sunset, the sky above the surrounding mountains will still be glowing in warm colours for a while. It’s the perfect place to end our Miyajima day trip.
We'll slowly make our way back to the pier and then return to our accommodation in Hiroshima. From here on out, there is some more free time to do whatever we may want to do. A quiet and early night may be the best as we'll be leaving Hiroshima early again next morning.