Hiroshima Day Trip from Osaka

Hiroshima, located 330 km from Osaka, was the first city in history to suffer an atomic bomb attack. Visitors can explore the haunting ruins of the bombing, visit the iconic floating Torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, and encounter friendly wild deer roaming freely on Miyajima Island. by Alex V | Vicky Ng

Traveling from Osaka to Hiroshima

Travel by Shinkansen:
Take a bullet train from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station.

Fare: ¥11,350 (one way).
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 21 minutes.
Timetable: Check Jorudan websites for details
Tips:

• The Shinkansen is pricey, making a day trip more cost-effective for travelers with a JR Pass, such as the Sanyo-San’in Area Pass (7 days, ¥23,000).
• Trains run frequently between Osaka and Hiroshima, and seat reservations are optional. As Osaka is the starting station, non-reserved seats (cars 1–3) are usually available.

Image credit: JR West

Hiroshima One-Day Itinerary

• 9:00 AM: Depart Osaka via Shinkansen, arriving at Hiroshima Station around 10:30 AM.
• 10:30 AM: Transfer to the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (30 minutes, arriving ~11:00 AM).
• 11:10 AM: Catch a short ferry to Miyajima Island from the pier across from Miyajimaguchi Station (10-minute ride).
• 11:20 AM–3:00 PM: Spend 3–4 hours exploring Miyajima, including the Itsukushima Shrine and its famous Torii gate in the sea. Enjoy lunch on the island and wander among the wild deer.
• 3:00 PM: Return by ferry and JR Sanyo Line to Hiroshima Station, then take a bus to the Atomic Bomb Dome (total travel time ~50 minutes).
• 4:00 PM: Visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and the nearby Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (allow 1.5–2 hours).
• 6:00 PM: Head back to Hiroshima Station and catch a Shinkansen to Osaka, arriving around 7:30 PM.

Miyajima Island

Miyajima Island, located about 20 km from central Hiroshima, has been revered as a sacred island since ancient times. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a must-visit destination for any Hiroshima itinerary.

Getting There

• Take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station (~30 minutes).
• Cross the street from the station to the ferry pier.
• Purchase tickets and board a 10-minute ferry to Miyajima Island. Note: All major attractions on Miyajima are within walking distance from the ferry pier.

Ferry Information

• Operators: JR West Ferry and Miyajima Matsudai Kisen (both charge ¥200 one way).
• Miyajima Visitor Tax: ¥100 per passenger, applicable to all.
• JR Pass Holders: The JR Pass covers JR West Ferry fares (excluding the Visitor Tax, payable at ticket machines).

Suggested Visit Time: 3–4 Hours
Sample Itinerary:

• Omotesando Shopping Street (15–60 minutes): Stroll through this lively street, browsing shops and enjoying local snacks like grilled oysters or momiji manju.
• Great Torii Gate (15–30 minutes): Admire the iconic floating Torii of Itsukushima Shrine. Viewing distance varies with the tide (best at high tide).
• Itsukushima Shrine (¥300, ~30 minutes): Explore this UNESCO-listed shrine, built over the water.
• Senjokaku Pavilion (¥100, ~30 minutes): Visit this spacious wooden pavilion with scenic views.
• Choose One Additional Activity:
  Option 1: Daishoin Temple (free, ~30 minutes): Walk 10 minutes to this serene Buddhist temple, known for its statues and tranquil grounds.
  Option 2: Miyajima Ropeway (¥2,000 round trip, ~15-minute ride): Walk 15 minutes to the ropeway station, then ride to the upper station. From there, hike 30 minutes to the summit of Mount Misen for stunning views.
  Note: Expect long queues during peak seasons.

1. Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street

A 5-minute walk from the Miyajima ferry pier, this vibrant 300-meter street buzzes with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. Savor local specialties like momiji manju (maple-leaf-shaped pastries filled with red bean paste), fresh oysters, and grilled eel over rice.

Watch: 現役ツアコン目線で歩く！宮島表参道商店街

2. Great Torii Gate (Floating Torii)

Hiroshima’s iconic landmark, this 16.6-meter-tall camphor wood gate stands in the sea as part of Itsukushima Shrine (commonly known as Miyajima). At low tide (below 100 cm), you can walk to its base; at high tide (above 250 cm), it appears to float, creating a magical effect. Check tide schedules online to time your visit for the perfect view.

Watch: 宮島・厳島神社【空撮・4K】

Photo Highlights: by Alessandro Stech | Nicki Eliza Schinow

3. Senjokaku Pavilion

Commissioned by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi during Japan’s Warring States period as a Buddhist hall, this expansive wooden structure was left unfinished after Hideyoshi’s death at 61. His rival, Tokugawa Ieyasu, halted construction to curb the Toyotomi clan’s influence, leaving a single, undecorated floor where a three-story masterpiece was planned. The stark, open interior creates a unique atmosphere for visitors.

Hours: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.
Admission: ¥100 (adults), ¥50 (elementary/junior high students).
Watch: Senjokaku-Pavilion of 1000 mats

4. Itsukushima Shrine (Main Hall)

Founded in 593 AD and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Itsukushima Shrine is Japan’s most celebrated seaside shrine, famed for its ‘floating’ appearance at high tide. Built on stilts along the shore, it is dedicated to three sea goddesses who protect travelers and bring prosperity.

Hours: 6:30 AM–5:30 PM (occasionally 6:00 PM).
Admission: ¥300 (adults), ¥200 (university students), ¥100 (elementary/junior high students).
Official Website: itsukushimajinja.jp

Photo Highlights: by Juliana Barquero | Patricia Haller-Anguela | Deepavali Gaind | Alex Rerh

Watch: 満潮時の厳島神社【広島旅行】

5. Daishoin Temple

Miyajima’s oldest Buddhist temple, with over 1,200 years of history, predates Itsukushima Shrine. Dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, it features 536 unique stone Buddha statues.

Hours: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Admission: Free.
Official Website: daisho-in.com
Watch: 宮島弥山 大本山大聖院

6. Miyajima Ropeway

This scenic two-stage cable car ride (~15 minutes, with a midway transfer) ascends to Shishiiwa Station, offering an observation deck with stunning views. For a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the Seto Inland Sea, hike 30 minutes from Shishiiwa to Mount Misen’s summit.

Hours: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Admission: ¥2,000 (round-trip, adults), half-price for children.
Note: Expect long queues during peak seasons, sometimes exceeding 1 hour, which may not suit day-trippers with tight schedules.
Official Website: miyajima-ropeway.info
Watch: 宮島ロープウェイ

Atomic Bomb Dome & Peace Memorial Museum

Getting There

• By Bus (Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop “Meipuru~pu”):
  Stops: “The Atomic Bomb Dome” or “Peace Memorial Park.”
  Duration: 11–15 minutes.
  Fare: ¥240 (free with JR Pass; accepts IC cards like Suica).

• By Hiroshima Electric Railway (Streetcar):
  Stop: “Genbaku Dome-Mae”
  Duration: 16 minutes.
  Fare: ¥240 (accepts IC cards like Suica).
  Payment: Board at the rear, take a numbered ticket, and pay at the front when exiting.

Atomic Bomb Dome

Originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, this iconic structure survived the atomic bomb detonation on August 6, 1945, which exploded approximately 600 meters above it. Positioned almost directly beneath the blast, the building withstood the vertical force, unlike surrounding structures that collapsed under lateral pressure. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands as a poignant reminder of the bombing’s devastation. Photo Highlights: by Zion C | Wolfgang Hasselmann

Peace Memorial Museum (Optional Visit)

This museum documents the catastrophic impact of nuclear weapons and promotes global peace. Similar to Germany’s Neue Wache or Dresden’s Frauenkirche, it focuses on civilian suffering but offers limited reflection on Japan’s wartime militarism or colonial actions in Asia. Visitors should note that this victim-centered narrative may not fully address Japan’s wartime atrocities, much like some German memorials underemphasize the Holocaust’s scale.

Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00/7:00/8:00 PM (seasonal)
Admission: ¥200 (adults), ¥100 (high school), free (junior high and under)
Official site: hpmmuseum.jp
Watch: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Why Were Atomic Bombs Dropped on Japan?
By the final stages of World War II, Japan’s invasions across China and Asia had caused an estimated 19–35 million deaths. In August 1945, Japan still maintained a 7-million-strong army, and the U.S. estimated that a conventional invasion could lead to 500,000–1 million American casualties with an uncertain timeline.

On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb struck Hiroshima, killing 70,000–80,000 people instantly. Japanese military leaders, initially skeptical that the U.S. possessed additional atomic bombs, planned continued resistance. On August 9, a second bomb hit Nagasaki. That night, Emperor Hirohito decided to surrender, announcing Japan’s capitulation via radio on August 15.

Japan’s surrender stemmed from several factors:

• The catastrophic impact of the atomic bombs, which shocked the leadership.
• The Soviet Union’s declaration of war, dashing hopes for diplomatic mediation.
• Prolonged Chinese counteroffensives, which exhausted Japanese forces.
• The U.S. naval blockade and firebombing, leaving Japan with only three months of fuel reserves.

Why Wasn’t Germany Bombed with Atomic Weapons?
The atomic bomb was initially developed with Germany in mind. However, Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945, before the bomb’s successful test on July 16, 1945. According to Manhattan Project leaders’ memoirs, Berlin would likely have been the primary target had Germany not surrendered.

Why Was Hiroshima Chosen?
Hiroshima was selected for its military significance: it housed the 2nd General Army Headquarters, arms factories, and a naval port critical to Japan’s homeland defense. Additionally, unlike heavily bombed cities like Tokyo or Osaka, Hiroshima was largely untouched, allowing the U.S. to assess the bomb’s destructive power accurately.

Hope you enjoy your Hiroshima adventure!