Hiroshima is a city on the Seto Inland Sea. It is best known for the Peace Memorial Park and the museum about the atomic bomb. Near the city is Miyajima, an island with a famous shrine that seems to float on the water at high tide. A day from Fukuoka can cover both, but it is a full day.
Getting there
Fast trains, the Shinkansen, run from Hakata station in Fukuoka to Hiroshima. The ride is quick. Trains are frequent, so you can choose a time that suits you. Reserved and non-reserved seats cost different amounts.
Check first: Train times, the fare and the seat type. Use the JR West timetable and booking site. Fares change, so do not rely on a blog.
The Peace Memorial Park
The park is in the centre of the city. It has a memorial cenotaph, a flame that burns until the world has no nuclear weapons, and many monuments. The Atomic Bomb Dome is a ruined building left as it was after the bomb. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Walk slowly, and speak quietly. Many visitors are here to remember. Photos are normal, but take care not to block other people.
The museum
The Peace Memorial Museum tells the story of the bombing with objects and personal stories. Some content is very hard to see, especially for children. Read the guidance at the entrance. Plan to spend a good part of the morning or the afternoon there.
Ferry to Miyajima
Ferries leave for Miyajima from the port near the station. The crossing is short. On the island, the main attraction is Itsukushima Shrine, with its large torii gate in the water. Deer walk freely on the island, so keep food in your bag.
The gate stands in the water at high tide. At low tide, you can walk up to it on the sand. Both views are good, but they look very different. Plan your visit around the tide table.
Check first: The tide times for the day, and the ferry times back. Use the tide table from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) or a tide site, and the ferry operator's timetable. Check the shrine's official site for opening times.
Plan the day
- Morning: train to Hiroshima, then the Peace Park.
- Midday: museum, then lunch. Use Tabelog for a place near the park or near the port.
- Afternoon: ferry to Miyajima, shrine and walk on the island.
- Return: keep a margin for the last train back to Fukuoka. Do not plan it to the minute.
Families
Children can learn a lot from the park, but the museum can be upsetting. Choose a calm pace. Take breaks outside, and talk through what you saw. The island has short walks and deer, which many children enjoy.
Season
Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant. Summer is hot and humid, and the island is busy. Winter is cooler, with shorter days. Typhoon season can change the ferry times, so check the forecast before you travel.
Mistakes to avoid
The first mistake is trying to fit in too much. Hiroshima and Miyajima are a full day together. If you add a second city, plan it for another day. A rushed day takes away the care the park and the museum need.
The second mistake is going to the island without the tide table. A low tide and a high tide look very different at the gate. Check the time before you choose the ferry.
The third mistake is leaving the museum with no time to reflect. Give yourself a quiet walk afterwards, or sit in the park for a while.
The last mistake is missing the last ferry or train. Keep your return plan simple, and leave a margin before the last sailing.
Quick checklist
- Check the tide table and the ferry times before you leave Fukuoka.
- Book your Shinkansen seat, and keep the return time in your notes.
- Bring water and a hat for the park, and a jacket for the ferry if it is windy.
- Plan a quiet break after the museum, so the day ends at a calm pace.
What to do next
Hiroshima works well as a day trip from Fukuoka, or as a stop on a longer trip through western Japan. For a plan that starts in Fukuoka, read the planner. For the city base, see the Fukuoka page and the Tenjin area, where many visitors stay.
