3 Days in Hiroshima: First-Timer Plan
Three days gives Hiroshima’s own core (the Peace Park, then the castle and garden) room to breathe alongside a full Miyajima day, without needing a further day trip. With less time, drop day three and use the 2-day plan ; with more, the 4-day version adds Onomichi on top of this same spine.
Book these before you go
- The Peace Memorial Museum’s first or last entry slot online, if you need a fixed time
- A place to stay near the station or downtown
- An IC card (ICOCA) at Hiroshima Station on arrival
Day 1: Peace Park and the city core
Morning
The Peace Memorial Park: the A-Bomb Dome, the Cenotaph and Flame of Peace, and the Children’s Peace Monument. The Peace Memorial Museum (a modest admission, last quoted around ¥200) needs at least two hours; book the first slot online if your schedule allows. Keep the register quiet here.
Afternoon
The Orizuru Tower beside the Dome for a rooftop view and the Crane Wall, then downtown along the Hondori arcade.
Evening
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki at Okonomimura (roughly ¥1,200-1,500 per person). The Hiroden tram back to your hotel runs a flat fare of about ¥240.
One concrete tip: book your Museum slot as soon as your dates are fixed.
Day 2: Miyajima
Morning
Tram or JR train to Miyajimaguchi, then the roughly 10-minute ferry (around ¥200 plus a ¥100 visitor tax) to Miyajima. Check tide tables first: high tide floats the torii, low tide lets you walk out to it.
Afternoon
The Mount Misen ropeway (roughly ¥2,000 round trip) and the remaining 30-minute hike to the 535m summit, with views across the Seto Inland Sea. Sacred deer wander near the base.
Evening
Grilled anago or momiji manju before the ferry back, or stay overnight to see the torii lit up after the day-trippers leave.
One concrete tip: don’t rush the last ferry. The quietest, best hour on Miyajima is right before sunset.
Day 3: Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden
Morning
Hiroshima Castle (an honest 1958 reconstruction, admission around ¥400, a small museum inside); check current opening status before you go, since parts have flagged possible closures for repair.
Afternoon
Shukkeien Garden (admission around ¥300), an Edo-period garden that sheltered blast survivors in 1945, paired easily with the adjacent Hiroshima Museum of Art if you have another hour.
Evening
A farewell dinner in the Nagarekawa entertainment district, oysters and drinks for roughly ¥2,000-3,000 per person.
One concrete tip: do the castle first if it’s a hot day. The garden has more shade for a slower afternoon pace.
See the main Hiroshima travel guide and the things to do guide for more on each stop.