2 Days in Hiroshima Itinerary: Solo Guide for First Time Travellers

Hiroshima is the capital city of Hiroshima Prefecture and the largest city in western Honshu, Japan’s main island. Most people know Hiroshima because of its dark past. But Hiroshima is more than that. The city is lively, and has fantastic local cuisine and friendly people. It is a wonderful city to visit especially if this is your first time visiting Japan.

However, I will admit that the mood felt sombre touring around the Peace Memorial Park. It is a little sad to see half-destroyed buildings and photos of Hiroshima after the Second World War.

But I was also reminded of how great Japanese people are. No matter where I travel to Japan, I am always in contact with someone friendly, gentle and open. The hospitality in Japan is one of the best in the world. Even though there was a dark past, they bounced back and rebuilt their city and country. And they do it with such grace and courage.

If you are travelling solo in Japan for the first time, follow my solo Hiroshima itinerary and see all the best things to do in Hiroshima in 2 days in the “City of Peace”.

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What you need to know before planning your solo Hiroshima itinerary

Before you start your 2 day itinerary for Hiroshima, take a look at my post on everything you need to know before going to Japan. I included information, including how to get around Japan and other travel tips.

Here are additional travel tips that you may find useful for spending 2 days in Hiroshima:

• You can walk to most places in Hiroshima. But also consider taking the bus and streetcar to get around to save time and energy.
• Get the ICOCA, the prepaid IC card for Hiroshima Prefecture. It is a rechargeable smart card for public transportation, including buses, trains and streetcars in Hiroshima. Or consider getting a Hiroshima Tourist Pass for unlimited rides.
• Plan your visit to Hiroshima with the following festivals and events:
  • Hiroshima Flower Festival (early May) – celebrate springtime with performances and delicious food at this annual event.
  • Hiroshima Oktoberkfest (October) – drink beer, eat German food and watch music performances. What can be better?
  • Saijo Sake Festival (early October) – over 1,000 local sakes from all over Japan are featured in this annual festival in Saijo.

How to get to Hiroshima Japan

Plane

Hiroshima Airport (HIJ) is located 50km east of the city. It serves many domestic and international flights (Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Shanghai).

The best way to travel from the airport to the city is to take one of two Hiroshima Airport Limousine Buses. One goes to Hiroshima Bus Center (45-50 minutes; ￥1,450) in the city centre, and the other goes to Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Gate (55 minutes; ￥1,450) at Hiroshima Station.

Train

Hiroshima Station is located at the northeast end of the city. Several train lines (Sanyo Line, Kabe Line, Geibi Line and Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen) go through this station.

To get to the city centre, take one of several streetcars (#1, #2, #5, #6) at the south exit of Hiroshima Station. Pay a flat rate of ￥220 with cash or ICOCA when you alight.

How to get around Hiroshima on your own

Walk, Bus & Streetcar

Walking is the best way to see all the attractions within the city centre of Hiroshima.

For some places around the city centre, you can take either the bus or streetcar. Use Google Maps to map out the route and follow the recommendations for either transportation mode.

ICOCA is the prepaid IC card for Hiroshima Prefecture. It is a rechargeable smartcard that allows you to take public transportation, including trains, buses, and streetcars. It is helpful for travelling within Hiroshima and taking a day trip to Miyajima.

Hiroshima Tourist Pass

In addition, there is a useful Hiroshima Tourist Pass. You can get a one, two or three-day pass for unlimited buses, streetcars and ferry rides to and from Miyajima. It also includes the three Hiroshima Meipuru-pu bus routes around the city.

You can order one online and pick it up at one of the available locations. I picked mine up at the Transportation Tourist Information at Hiroshima Station North Exit.

What to do in Hiroshima for 2 Days: Summary & Map

Perhaps you are wondering how many days you should spend in Hiroshima. As a first-time visitor, spending two days is sufficient to see all the city’s best highlights.

Here is the summary of my 2-day Hiroshima itinerary for a first-time visitor:

Hiroshima Itinerary Day 1

1. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
2. Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
3. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
4. Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Monument
5. Atomic Bomb Dome
6. Okonomimura
7. Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki 

Hiroshima Itinerary Day 2

1. Mitaki-dera
2. Hiroshima Castle
3. Hondori Shopping Street
4. Hiroshima Orizuru Tower
5. Hiroshima Oysters and Anago or Ramen or Tsukemen 

Below is an interactive map with all the highlights for my Hiroshima itinerary. Red-numbered pins indicate the must-see attractions on day one; purple pins are attractions on day two; blue pins indicate other things to do in Hiroshima; burgundy pins indicate places to eat and drink; and yellow pins are Hiroshima accommodations.

And if you stay longer, green pins are day trip ideas from Hiroshima.

Hiroshima 2 day Itinerary: Day 1 Activities

1. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

One of the top things to do in Hiroshima is to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The centrally located park is dedicated to Hiroshima’s legacy of surviving the atomic bomb, to commemorating those who were affected, and to remembering peace.

The park is over 122,000sqm and has 64 things to see, including monuments, memorials, and museums that attract millions of visitors annually. Here are some highlights that you must see:

• Children’s Peace Monument – dedicated to Sadako Sasaki, a little girl exposed to atomic bomb radiation at the age of two and later developed leukemia.
• Bell of Peace – the dome-shape roof with a bell and mirror reflecting the person who rings the bell.
• Flame of Peace – the structure resembles two hands spreading towards the sky, where the wrists are put together. In the middle is the eternal flame, which was first lit on August 1, 1964, and continues to burn.
• Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims – an arch-shaped structure where the arch’s opening is designed so that when you stand on the west side of the structure, you can see both Flame of Peace and Atomic Bomb Dome. The centre of the arch is a tombstone with the names of all the atomic bomb victims.

Address: 1-10 Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima | Hours: 24 hours | Admission: free

2. Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims

The Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall is dedicated to all atomic bomb victims and is a place to think about peace. Photographs and names of 140,000 people who died on August 6, 1945, are in the database. Walk through the museum and see photos and read about the stories from survivors.

If you visit Nagasaki, there is another Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall built for the same purpose.

Address: 1-6 Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima | Hours: 8:30am-6pm | Admission: free

3. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was built to document the bombing of Hiroshima, to stop the use of nuclear weapons and to promote world peace.

For a small fee, you can tour the East Building and Main Building and see the permanent exhibits with photographs of Hiroshima, Second World War and everything related to the fateful day. Also, you can learn about atomic bombs through interactive exhibits, the effect of radiation on people’s lives, and see displays of the artefacts that were left behind.

Address: 1-2 Nakajimacho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima | Hours: 7:30am-7pm | Admission: ¥200 (get a discount of ¥40 with the Hiroshima Tourist Pass)

4. Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Monument

On August 6, 1945, the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima destroyed almost everything within the two-km radius of the Hypocentre. The hypocentre is remembered with a monument. It is located just outside of the Shima-Internist Clinic.

There’s not much to see here except for the little monument on the side of the road, but by seeing the location of the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Monument, you can understand how close it is to the A-Bomb Dome, which is next on the itinerary.

Address: 1 Chome-5-25 Otemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima | Hours: 24 hours | Admission: free

5. Atomic Bomb Dome

A building very close to the Hypocentre of the blast was severely damaged. Still, for some unexplainable reasons, the majority of the structure of the building remained, even though the Hypocentre was only 160 metres away.

It was previously the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. Today, the famous skeletal building is known as the Atomic Bomb Dome because of the unique steel dome frame. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List on December 7, 1996.

Address: 1-10 Otemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima | Hours: 24 hours | Admission: free

6. Okonomimura

Okonomimura is a 4-storey retro building where many restaurants offer Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. There are 24 restaurants in this vertical Okonomiyaki village and each restaurant is quite affordable. Some restaurants have English menus.

I haven’t tried the restaurants in Okonomimura so I cannot recommend any specific restaurants. But I do recommend going up to the building and look around because it looks like you went back in time – each restaurant has a vintage retro look. It is quite an interesting food hall.

Address: 5-13 Shintenchi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima | Hours: varies | Admission: free

7. Hiroshimayaki (Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki)

After touring the Okonomiyaki building, you must be hungry! Next on the itinerary is Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki or Hiroshimayaki.

It is a savoury pancake that starts with a thin crepe base, then cabbage, bean sprouts, a few slices of pork, soba or udon noodles, a fried egg, and okonomiyaki sauce. It is topped with dried seaweed flakes.

The Hiroshima version is similar to Osaka’s okonomiyaki, except the ingredients are layered in the Hiroshima one, and soba and udon noodles are added. But both are equally delicious!

Apparently there are over 2000 okonomiyaki restaurants in Hiroshima! It’s hard to choose. I tried a few and I like Reichan Hiroshima, an okonomiyaki restaurant at Ekie Dining Hall at Hiroshima Station. I ordered the special (pork, egg, squid, shrimp) with udon noodles. It was so good!

In addition to okonomiyaki, Nagataya serves teppanyaki items like oysters, “Gansu” (fried fish paste), “wagyu yaki-shabu,” and more. There might be a queue, but it is worth the wait.

2 Day Itinerary Hiroshima: Attractions for Day 2

1. Mitaki-dera

Named after the three waterfalls in Mount Mitaki, the Mitaki-dera dates back to 809 and is a true hidden gem. The temple used to be in Wakayama until it was moved to Hiroshima. It is said that the temple is used to comfort the souls of those affected by the atomic bomb. Luckily, because the temple is buried in the valley, it was not damaged by the atomic bomb.

Follow the stone path up the mountain and look for Soshin Kannon Hall, Bell Tower, Inari Shrine, and Chinju Shrine, all of which withstood the atomic bombing. Also, look for stone guardian statues and stone lanterns around the gardens.

The best time to visit Mitaki-Dera is in autumn, when all the maple leaves are shades of red and orange. In June, I saw a few colourful maple trees around the vermillion-coloured pagoda near the entrance. It can be nice in other seasons too.

How to get to Mitaki-dera: take bus 22 from Hiroshima Station and alight at Seiganji-mae stop. The bus ride is about 25 minutes and costs ¥230.

Address: 411 Mitakiyama, Nishi Ward, Hiroshima | Hours: 8am-5pm | Admission: free

2. Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Castle, also known as Carp Castle, was first constructed in 1589 in the centre of the city. However, the central tower was severely destroyed during the bombing of Hiroshima. The castle was restored and designated a National Treasure in 1931. Today, the castle has a Samurai exhibit and a balcony on the top floor for a view of the city.

After walking through the main gate, see the Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine and the ruins of Hiroshima Imperial Army Headquarters before entering the castle.

And if you are visiting in spring, the castle premises are filled with cherry blossom trees. It is an excellent place for hanami (flower viewing) and taking photos.

Address: 21-1 Motomachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima | Hours: 9am-6pm | Admission: ¥370

3. Hondori Shopping Street

If I’m not travelling with a 7kg backpack, I would do some major shopping on Hondori Shopping Street. It is part of downtown Hiroshima and there are many retail stores lining both sides of the covered pedestrian street.

And besides the main shopping street, venture off to the side streets and find department stores, cute cafes, and local restaurants serving all the Hiroshima local treats.

The popular shopping street has many souvenir shops, so pick up some souvenirs before you leave Hiroshima.

Address: 7 Hondori, Naka Ward, Hiroshima | Hours: 10am-8pm | Admission: free

4. Hiroshima Orizuru Tower

Named after the folded paper crane, the Hiroshima Orizuru Tower offers a different view of Hiroshima. The observatory level is a modern wood deck called “Hiroshima Hill.“

At the contemporary Hiroshima Hills observatory deck on the roof level, enjoy a panoramic view of Hiroshima, including the entire Peace Memorial Park and Mount Misen of Miyajima. Hopefully it is a clear beautiful day so you can enjoy the sunset on the wooden deck.

Address: 1 Chome-2-1 Otemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima | Hours: 10am-6pm | Admission: ¥2,200

5. Hiroshima Seafood or Ramen Noodle

Besides comfort food like Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, several other local foods are popular in Hiroshima.

Seafood lovers will enjoy Hiroshima Oysters. The local region produces two-thirds of the oysters in Japan. The big and juicy oysters can be eaten raw, in a hot pot, or added to hiroshimayaki. Ekohiki is an excellent restaurant for trying oysters for the first time.

Or try Anago Meshi, which is grilled conger eel served over rice. I read that Anagomeshi Ueno is one of the best in Hiroshima. They always have a long queue.

If you prefer noodles, try Hiroshima-style ramen (thin noodles in a milky pork bone soy sauce broth) or Hiroshima Tsukemen (ramen noodles dipped in a concentrated soup). Eitomen Kamiyacho Honten offers ramen with various soup flavours and a unique cheese and rice side dish. Bakudanya has cold or warm Tsukemen noodles on the menu.

Other things to do in Hiroshima Japan

There are so many things to do in Hiroshima that choosing what to do in just two days is difficult. But if you are staying longer or want to change up the itinerary, here are some suggestions:

1. Fukuromachi Elementary School Peace Museum (9am-5pm; free) – the preserved section of the school was bombed during the war. See the exhibits where it once served as a relief station.
2. Hiroshima Museum of Art (9am-5pm; ¥1,400) – the museum in Central Park has gallery spaces featuring modern European artwork (Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, Modigliani, etc.) and contemporary Japanese artwork from the Meiji Period to the present day.
3. Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum (9am-5pm; closed Mondays; ¥510) – see over 4,000 pieces in the permanent collection of artworks associated with Hiroshima, Japanese and Asian art. 
4. Shukkeien Garden (9am-6pm; ¥260) – see the reconstructed Japanese garden, including different miniature gardens and Koko-kyo Bridge. Visit one of the teahouses to see the traditional Japanese tea room and have green tea.
5. Futabanosato Walking Trail – see temples and shrines on the 10km route north of Hiroshima Station.

Hiroshima Day Trips for Solo Travellers

Hiroshima is an excellent hub for day trips to different cities in western Japan. If you are staying in Hiroshima for more than two days, use it as a home base and see other places like:

1. Miyajima Island – the most popular Hiroshima day trip is to Miyajima, an island famous for the Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate, wild deers and view from Mount Misen.
2. Iwakuni – a day trip to Iwakuni includes the picturesque Kintai-kyo Bridge over the Nishiki River, a wander around Kikko Park and a visit to Iwakuni Castle.
3. Okunoshima Island – spend a few hours wandering around an island full of wild bunnies.
4. Onomichi – see the quaint port town known for its literary roots, temples, cats and cycling. Consider staying overnight in Onomichi and seeing the Shimanami Kaido bikeway.

Where to Stay in Hiroshima for 2 Days

If you have limited time in Hiroshima or are only staying for two days in Hiroshima, stay near Hiroshima Station or the city centre to get around quickly.

The last time I stayed at Nest Hotel, it was easy to get around. When I go back next time, I will try other hotels near the city centre like the ones mentioned below.

• Nest Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae ($$) – a basic business hotel close to Hiroshima Station, but the single room is spacious and has an extended seating bench. The vanity, shower and toilet are separate (unlike the typical Japanese bathroom), which is nice. Check prices & reviews: Agoda and Booking
• Nest Hotel Hiroshima Hatchobori ($$) – another Nest Hotel but closer to the city centre. The room design and layout look similar to the other location. Check prices & reviews: Agoda and Booking
• KIRO Hotel Hiroshima ($$) – I also love The Share Hotels because of their design aesthetics. The guest rooms and hotel design are minimalistic and functional. Check prices & reviews: Agoda and Booking

Is Hiroshima worth visiting as a solo traveller

I think so! There is so much history in Hiroshima, yet the city is so modern. In two days, you can appreciate the beauty of Hiroshima, learn about the local culture and try food you can only find in the region.

I hope you find my Hiroshima solo guide helpful in planning your own itinerary. Japan is a wonderful country with so much to see, and Hiroshima is not to be missed!

Ready to plan your trip to Japan? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner 
* Book accommodation: find the best Japan accommodations on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance and set up your mobile phone before arriving in Japan.
* Join tours: check Klook or Get Your Guide for the best tours around Japan.

Thank you for reading my solo Hiroshima itinerary

I have many posts on Japan and you might also like these other posts on solo travel in Japan:

Introduction to Japan

• Solo Travel to Japan: 17 best cities for solo travellers
• Things I wish I knew before going to Japan
• 11 Off-the-beaten-path places in Japan
• One month in Japan: from Tokyo to Hiroshima

Chugoku region

• Naoshima Art Island: 1-day itinerary
• How to spend one day on Teshima Island
• Best things to do in Kurashiki Japan
• Top things to do in Onomichi Japan
• Shimanami Kaido Guide: 1-Day Bike & Ferry Itinerary
• Okunoshima Island: 1-Day itinerary on Rabbit Island
• Day trip to Miyajima from Hiroshima

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queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!