What to know before visiting Hiroshima & Miyajima: local etiquette and pitfalls
The things that catch North American travelers off guard in Hiroshima & Miyajima, laid out in advance. Less about danger, more about not losing time and money.
Contents
Hiroshima is a safe city. What to be ready for: the emotional weight of the Peace Memorial Museum exhibits, the deer and the tides on Miyajima, and the summer heat.
Things that catch visitors off guard
| Topic | How it really works |
|---|---|
| The museum exhibits | They present the reality of the bombing unflinchingly. Prepare yourself before entering |
| Miyajima deer | As in Nara, the deer are wild. They go after food and paper |
| The tides | They change how the great torii looks. Check the tide table in advance |
| The Mt. Misen trail | A 30-minute climb from the ropeway station to the summit, with unpaved stretches |
| Closing times on Miyajima | Shops close around 5–6 PM. Have dinner at your inn or in Hiroshima |
| The last ferry | The final boat from Miyajima runs around 10 PM. Check the time if you are visiting for the day |
| Summer heat | The Seto Inland Sea is humid, and parts of the Peace Memorial Park have little shade |
How to handle yourself
The Peace Memorial Park was built over ground where more than 6,400 people died, and it is a place of mourning. Photographs in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome are fine, but please be mindful of how you behave at the cenotaph. Keep quiet inside the museum. Itsukushima Shrine is an active shrine, and the corridors of the halls are wooden decking. You may walk on them in shoes, but do not run. Do not feed the deer on Miyajima; a local ordinance prohibits it. You can walk right up under the great torii at low tide, but collecting shellfish or picking at the pillars is prohibited.
If something goes wrong
Police: 110. Fire and ambulance: 119. Hiroshima is the largest city in the Chugoku region and has excellent medical facilities. Miyajima has a clinic, but at night you would need to cross to the mainland by ferry. Watch out for heatstroke in summer. The Miyajima ferry is suspended during typhoons. Customers who book with us can contact our staff, who will handle the Japanese on your behalf.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to see the museum?
It sits at the heart of what it means to come to Hiroshima. The exhibits are heavy, and many visitors are moved to tears. There is no need to force yourself, but we believe anyone visiting this city owes it one honest look.
Are the Miyajima deer dangerous?
They are calmer than the deer in Nara, but they go after food and paper. Feeding them is prohibited by ordinance, and it is also bad for the animals, so please do not.
Let us handle the arrangements
If you book through us, you can reach your contact at our Toronto or Vancouver office whenever trouble comes up on the ground, and we take over any negotiation with hotels and transport providers in Japanese.
See the Hiroshima & Miyajima tour Free consultation
Planning essentials for Hiroshima & Miyajima
Beyond the main topic of this article, here is a summary of everything you need to plan a trip to Hiroshima & Miyajima, with links to the full article on each subject.
A one-day route at a glance
8:30 Peace Memorial Park → 9:00 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum → 11:00 Children’s Peace Monument & the cenotaph → 12:30 Lunch at Okonomi-mura → 14:00 Ferry to Miyajima → 14:30 Itsukushima Shrine → 16:00 Mt. Misen → 18:00 Miyajima after dark
With half a day, pick either the Peace Memorial Park and museum, or Miyajima. Trying to do both in half a day leaves you rushing through each.
Extending beyond day one
On day 2, stay on Miyajima and visit Itsukushima Shrine in the morning (open for worship from 6:30 AM), or see Shukkeien Garden, Hiroshima Castle, and Mazda Stadium in the city. Another option is Onomichi (a town of slopes, cats, and film, and the start of the Shimanami Kaido). On day 3, cycle the Shimanami Kaido (70 km to Imabari), or head for Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni, or on to Hagi and Tsuwano. Hiroshima is a main stop on the Sanyo Shinkansen, midway between Kansai and Kyushu. For the full timed itinerary, see the Hiroshima & Miyajima itinerary.
Seasons and temperatures
| Season | Typical temperatures | Highlights and cautions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 9–24°C | Cherry blossoms late March–early April. In the Peace Memorial Park and on Miyajima |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 23–33°C | Hot and humid. August 6 is the anniversary of the bombing, with the Peace Memorial Ceremony |
| Autumn (Oct–Nov) | 13–26°C | Momijidani Park on Miyajima is superb in mid–late November |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 3–12°C | Mild, snow is rare. February is peak oyster season |
October–November and late March–May. The autumn foliage on Miyajima in mid–late November is especially beautiful. If oysters are your goal, come between November and February. August 6, the anniversary of the bombing, carries special meaning in Hiroshima but is extremely crowded. Clothing guidance and seasonal events are covered in the best time to visit Hiroshima & Miyajima.
What to eat
- Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki: Layered rather than mixed, with noodles as standard. Properly eaten at the griddle counter with a metal spatula. ¥900–1,500
- Oysters: Hiroshima leads Japan in production. Grilled, fried, or in dotenabe miso hot pot. In season November–February
- Anago-meshi: A Miyajima specialty: grilled conger eel over rice, a staple of both bento and restaurants. Around ¥2,000
- Momiji manju: A maple-leaf-shaped cake born on Miyajima. The deep-fried version is now the street-snack favorite
- Hiroshima tsukemen: Cold noodles with a spicy dipping sauce. A local invention
- Soupless tantanmen: Dandan noodles as developed in Hiroshima. Mix thoroughly before eating
- Onomichi ramen: Soy-sauce ramen from Onomichi, marked by pork back fat and flat noodles
Lunch ¥1,000–2,500, dinner ¥3,000–6,000. Okonomiyaki around ¥1,000, anago-meshi around ¥2,000. Prices in Hiroshima are moderate, and the value for money when eating out is high. For where to find each dish, see what to eat in Hiroshima & Miyajima.
Budget at a glance
For 2 days and 1 night, budget ¥22,000–35,000 per person (roughly CA$220–350): ¥12,000 for the hotel, ¥10,000 for two days of food, and ¥6,000 for transport and admissions. The shinkansen round trip from Osaka (around ¥20,000) is covered if you hold a nationwide JR Pass.
Hotel rates by class and the cuts that actually save money are detailed in the Hiroshima & Miyajima budget guide.
Getting there
Hiroshima is a main stop on the Sanyo Shinkansen: 4 hours from Tokyo, an hour and a half from Osaka, an hour from Hakata. For Miyajima, take JR to Miyajimaguchi and transfer to the ferry. The JR Miyajima ferry is covered by the JR Pass.
| Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Hiroshima | About 4 hours | Sanyo Shinkansen Nozomi, ¥19,760. Hikari trains are covered by the JR Pass |
| Osaka → Hiroshima | About 1 hour 30 minutes | Sanyo Shinkansen, ¥10,620 |
| Hakata → Hiroshima | About 1 hour | Sanyo Shinkansen, around ¥9,000 |
| Hiroshima → Miyajimaguchi | About 27 minutes | JR Sanyo Line, ¥420 |
| Miyajimaguchi → Miyajima | About 10 minutes | JR Miyajima ferry, ¥200 (¥400 round trip). Covered by the JR Pass |
Local transport and the passes worth buying are covered in getting to Hiroshima & Miyajima.
More frequently asked questions about Hiroshima & Miyajima
Is the Peace Memorial Museum suitable for children?
The exhibits present the reality of the bombing without softening it, and some visitors find them deeply upsetting. It may be too much for young children. Talk it over as a family before deciding.
Is it worth staying on Miyajima?
Yes. Once the day trippers leave, Miyajima becomes a quiet island of deer, the shrine approach, and the sea. Worship from 6:30 AM and the great torii lit up at night belong to overnight guests alone.
High tide or low tide: which is better for the great torii?
At high tide the torii appears to float on the sea; at low tide you can walk right up underneath it. They are entirely different experiences, so neither is better. Check the tide table and, if you can, stay long enough to see both.
Should I go on August 6?
The Peace Memorial Ceremony is Hiroshima’s most important day, but the city is extremely crowded and hotels are hard to book. Unless you are coming specifically to take part in the memorial, we suggest another date.
How does Hiroshima style differ from Osaka style?
Hiroshima style layers the batter, cabbage, noodles, and egg; Osaka style mixes them together. They are entirely different dishes, and people in Hiroshima do not call the Osaka version okonomiyaki at all.
Can I eat oysters in summer?
Farmed magaki oysters are in season November–February, and many restaurants do not serve them in summer. A few places offer summer iwagaki rock oysters, but if oysters are the reason you are coming to Hiroshima, come in winter.
Should I stay on Miyajima?
After the day trippers leave in the evening, Miyajima becomes an entirely different place: the great torii lit up at night, and worship at 6:30 in the morning. Rooms are limited, so arrange them early.
How many days does Hiroshima need?
One day for the Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, two days if you want breathing room. Three if you add Onomichi or the Shimanami Kaido.
Does the JR Pass cover the Miyajima ferry?
It covers the JR West Miyajima Ferry. Matsudai Kisen, which sails from the same pier, is not JR and is not covered. Take care to board at the right berth.
Can I ride the Nozomi?
The nationwide JR Pass requires an extra supplement for Nozomi trains. Hikari and Kodama need no supplement, and Osaka to Hiroshima takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours on those.
Plan this trip with IACE
Everything in this article is knowledge we use in real bookings every day. Tell us your dates, group size and interests, and we will turn it directly into your own itinerary.
