As the biggest prefecture in the Chugoku, Hiroshima is definitely on my list of Must Visit Places. Hiroshima City is the main hub of the popular historic sites because it is the epicenter of the Atomic Bomb during WWII. If you don’t believe the city and the people have bounced back, come see for yourself. Once you visit Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and the infamous site of the Atomic Bomb Dome, I recommend you take the trolley and not the JR (Japan Rail) train, down to Miyajima so that you can enjoy the scenic route along the way.
Hiroshima City 広島市
Hiroshima proves to be an amazing destination worth visiting. The Willer Express day bus from Umeda, Osaka, served as my transportation to Hiroshima city, and later, the shinkansen (bullet train) facilitated my return to Osaka. For my accommodation during this trip, I opted for Airbnb, selecting a quiet neighborhood merely 5 blocks away from the bustling main street where trolleys (street trains) and buses operated. When it comes to short trips, I prefer Airbnb over hotels due to their affordability, cleanliness, and proximity to local attractions and sightseeing spots.
The city boasts numerous museums, historical landmarks, and excellent dining establishments that deserve exploration. To immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere, discover remarkable stores and savor delicious food, HonDori, also known as the "Main Street," is the ideal destination. With its bustling crowd, this street offers a multitude of stores and restaurants. Venturing away from this lively thoroughfare, I ventured into Fukuromachi and Nakamachi, where I stumbled upon distinctive shops and restaurants that are certainly worth discovering. For an array of amazing restaurants I had the pleasure of dining at in Hiroshima city, feel free to explore my restaurant section of the blog.
Recommended Places and Helpful Links:
Miyajima 宮島
Known for Itsukushima (a red painted shrine in the ocean) and Mount Misen, Miyajima is an island off the coast of Hiroshima attracting tons of tourists every day. Friendly deer will meet you right off the boat. If you are as adventurous as I am, hike Mount Misen. There are multiple routes you can take up the mountain, but as a prior warning it is a workout, to say the least, and it does take a couple hours to reach the top. Therefore, if you plan to hike up and down the mountain, arrive at island in the morning. Or you can do what I did, hike up and take the cable car down!
Instead of taking the JR train, I rode the trolley from my Airbnb apartment to the ferry port. The ride took about 1 hour because of all the local stops in between. (You can also take the JR train, but it’s more expensive.) Notwithstanding the long ride, I enjoyed looking at all the local towns and people watching as riders got on and off the train. If I had an all-day pass and left early in the morning, I probably would have “train-hopped” at random stops and walked around.
You can buy a ferry ticket at the port. There are clear signs to point you in the right direction. There are 2 different ferry companies (JR West and Matsudaikisen tourist ship) with 2 different ships, but both travel directly to the island, so it doesn’t matter which one you choose. There are many workers who will point you in the right direction after you buy your ticket.
To make the most of your time on the island, stop at the information center window and someone (likely an English-speaking agent) will give you a detailed map of the island and all the sites you can visit. There are many souvenir shops and restaurants so don’t worry about bringing your own food.
Check the time of the last ferry (about 8pm) so you don’t get stuck on the island and have to wait until morning.
Helpful Link: Miyajima Tourist Association
Restaurants
During my trip to Hiroshima, I sought a change from the Japanese cuisine I had been consuming and set out to find some hearty, satisfying American food. Sorry if you’re looking for Japanese food ideas, but during this time, I was living in Japan and missing American cuisine. The following three restaurants, located in the Naka-ku district but in different towns, caught my interest. They can be easily accessed by the trolley.
Situated in the heart of Hiroshima city, KeMBY's is a comfortable restaurant owned by two individuals from Nepal who speak English. It is merely a block away from the trolley station, accessible via the blue, green, and orange lines. This establishment serves American-style dishes known for their generous portions. For my meal, I opted for a chicken burrito and hot wings to-go. The chicken burrito was substantial and truly satisfying, while the hot wings were also sizable, accompanied by a side of blue cheese. I highly recommend KeMBY's if you're in search of a delightful change and delicious American cuisine.
As I ventured away from the bustling shopping area, I stumbled upon Blue Moon Cafe in the tranquil Nakamachi neighborhood of Hiroshima. To fully appreciate this area, I suggest taking a leisurely stroll, as there are intriguing shops and cafes that may catch your attention. Blue Moon Cafe evoked memories of a Cracker Barrel for me, with its interior adorned with vintage country and Texan-themed decorations, along with American music playing in the background. It truly made me feel at home. Managed by young Japanese staff with a decent grasp of English, the menu is also available in English and includes pictures. The chicken quesadilla accompanied by a side of french fries is was I decided on. While I felt the quesadilla could have been more substantial in terms of chicken, it is worth noting that Japanese-managed American-style restaurants typically offer smaller portions compared to what one might be accustomed to in America.
Update: Blue Moon Cafe is now located in the Asaminami Ward of Hiroshima
On the fourth floor, easily visible from the street, you'll find Molly Malone's, an Irish pub with an interior reminiscent of your favorite English-style pub. I decided to try their fish and chips, which consisted of three large battered fish sticks and a generous portion of potato fries. Distinctly, I recall that my meal took a good half hour to be prepared and served, even though the pub was sparsely populated at the time. The service left something to be desired, as the waitstaff consisted of Japanese individuals who typically do not check on diners as frequently as their American counterparts.
If you're seeking a break from Japanese cuisine, I recommend visiting one of these restaurants. While there are numerous other dining options in the area, these three establishments particularly caught my attention. Simply click on each restaurant title for their individual websites. For additional dining options in Hiroshima and other tourist information, please refer to this website click here.
Transportation
Riding the trolley is the best and cheapest way to get around Hiroshima city. The most economical way to ride the trolley is to buy an all-day pass. That way you can go to multiple areas around Hiroshima and not worry about having the exact change for the fare.
If you don’t get an all-day pass and you are only carrying yen, it seems as though there was always a train worker on the trolley with a change pouch to give denominations for large bills (1,000 yen or 500 yen). If there is not a train worker on board, at the front of the car next to the driver is a change machine. The best time to get change is at a red light, so have your money ready.
There are also plenty of buses and taxis, but I only rode the trolley.
What I loved about Hiroshima is you can use your ICOCA card for all their modes of transportation.
Helpful Link: More information on Rechargeable Transportation Cards
Tips
Wear comfortable walking shoes
Don’t wear anything you wouldn’t want to get dirty or lost
Bring a backpack, cash (yen) towel, hand wipes, and hand sanitizer
Arrive early in the morning if you want to climb the mountain
Overall, I’m so happy that I made the trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima. It’s such a friendly place to visit despite the sad history.
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