Hiroshima 2-Day Itinerary Without a Car: Overview of the Model Course
Splitting city sightseeing and Miyajima sightseeing across two separate days is the basic way to keep the burden of luggage and transfers to a minimum.
Choosing accommodation around Hiroshima Station, or around the tram-friendly Hatchobori and Kamiyacho areas, makes it easier to balance dinner in the evening with an early departure the next morning.
From Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi, the JR Sanyo Line takes roughly 30 minutes, and a single tram line also connects them, so your route stays simple even without a car.
Day 1: Explore Central Hiroshima by Tram
After arriving at Hiroshima Station, first move your large luggage to your accommodation or a station storage service (coin lockers or a baggage room), then board the tram traveling light.
Placing the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome) and Peace Memorial Park in the first half of your trip, and then moving on to Hiroshima Castle Park and Shukkeien (Shukkei-en) Garden, lets you broaden your understanding from learning about peace to the history of the castle town and garden culture.
Day 2: Head to Miyajima by JR and Ferry
To reach Miyajima, the easiest flow is to take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station toward Miyajimaguchi, then transfer to a ferry at Miyajimaguchi.
By JR it takes about 25-30 minutes with no transfers from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station, and the ferry connects Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima Pier in about 10 minutes.
On the island, you can link Itsukushima Shrine (Itsukushima-jinja) as the central point with Mikasa-hama Beach, the Omotesando shopping street, and Machiya-dori on foot.
Here is how the roles of each part of the itinerary break down:
| Day | Time of Day | Main Transport | How to Spend It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Morning | Tram | Learn about peace |
| Day 1 | Afternoon | Walking and tram | Castle and garden |
| Day 1 | Evening | Mostly walking | Hiroshima food |
| Day 2 | Morning | JR and ferry | Travel to Miyajima |
| Day 2 | Afternoon | Mostly walking | Shrine visit and town stroll |
Day 1 Morning | How to Get to Peace Memorial Park by Tram
Visiting Peace Memorial Park at the very start of your trip makes it easier to see the Hiroshima cityscape you encounter afterward through the lens of reconstruction and present-day life.
Rather than rushing through the exhibits, it is important to walk quietly through the Atomic Bomb Dome, the memorial facilities within the park, and the museum as one continuous place.
How to Get from Hiroshima Station to Genbaku Dome-mae by Tram
At the tram stop by Hiroshima Station, check the destination displays and line numbers, and choose a tram that stops at Genbaku Dome-mae (Atomic Bomb Dome).
From Hiroshima Station to Genbaku Dome-mae, it takes about 15 minutes on lines such as Line 2 (bound for Hiroshima Station and Miyajimaguchi).
Hiroshima Electric Railway (Hiroden) tram fares are a flat rate across all lines: 240 yen for adults and 120 yen for children.
On Hiroden, the steps for boarding and alighting differ depending on how you pay, so it is reassuring to decide before boarding whether you will use an IC card, a ticket, or cash.
Inside the tram, avoid placing large luggage in the aisle and keep the area around the doors clear.
Viewing the Atomic Bomb Dome from Outside
The Atomic Bomb Dome is a peace memorial that conveys how the site looked at the time of the bombing and calls for the abolition of nuclear weapons and lasting peace; it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Without entering inside the fence, you can view the entire building from the walkway along the Motoyasu River or on the park side.
Rather than ending with just a commemorative photo, turning your attention to the meaning of why the building is preserved and to the surrounding explanations deepens your understanding of the place.
Taking Your Time at Peace Memorial Park and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Peace Memorial Park contains the Memorial Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, trees that survived the bombing, several monuments, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
Admission to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is 200 yen for adults (university students and older) and 100 yen for high school students, and free for junior high school students and younger; it opens early, from 7:30 a.m., which also makes it easy to combine with city sightseeing.
At the museum, the 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. slot and the final hour before closing require online reservation, so if you plan to visit during those times, book in advance before you go.
Because the exhibits include materials that convey the damage, it is also important to leave room afterward to gather your feelings on a park bench or by the river.
Day 1 Afternoon | Visiting Hiroshima Castle Park and Shukkeien Garden
In the afternoon, head to the northern side of the city center to experience Hiroshima's history as a castle town and its garden culture.
Because Hiroshima Castle Park and Shukkeien have different characters, separating your time for looking at architecture from your time for quietly enjoying the scenery keeps the afternoon from feeling monotonous.
Heading to Hiroshima Castle Park from the Kamiyacho Area
Return from Peace Memorial Park toward the Kamiyacho area, and head to Hiroshima Castle Park while checking the signs along the streets and in the underground passages.
From Genbaku Dome-mae to Hiroshima Castle Park it is about 15-20 minutes even on foot, and along the way there are many shops and restaurants in the Kamiyacho and Motomachi areas.
Having lunch before you move on lets you spend the rest of the afternoon, right through the garden stroll, at a relaxed pace.
Focus on the Exterior and the Ninomaru at Hiroshima Castle
The main keep of Hiroshima Castle (Hiroshima-jo) is closed due to deterioration of the concrete and aging facilities, so plan without assuming access to the keep's interior and focus your visit on the exterior, the moat, the stone walls, and the reconstructed Ninomaru buildings.
At the Ninomaru, the reconstructed buildings such as the Omote-gomon gate and the yagura (turrets) let you read how the space leading into the castle was arranged.
The reconstructed Ninomaru buildings and the Sannomaru area are open to visitors, and entry to the Ninomaru is free.
Transfer at Hatchobori to Reach Shukkeien-mae
Return from Hiroshima Castle Park toward the city center, and transfer near Hatchobori to a tram bound for Hakushima to reach Shukkeien-mae.
When transferring, even at a stop with the same name the boarding point can be split across the opposite side of the road or beyond an intersection, so check both the in-car displays and the on-site signs.
Enjoy the Strolling Pond Garden Scenery at Shukkeien
Shukkeien (Shukkei-en) is a strolling pond garden built in 1620 (Genna 6) as the garden of the villa of Hiroshima's feudal lord Asano Nagaakira, created by Ueda Soko, a tea master and chief retainer.
Admission is 350 yen for general visitors and 150 yen for university students, and free for elementary, junior high, and high school students, letting you feel the nature of the four seasons in the middle of the city.
Within the garden, touring the bridges, pond, and the area around the tea house in order, and viewing the same scenery both up close and from a distance, makes the composition of the Japanese garden easy to appreciate.
Opening hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in spring and summer (March 16 to September 15) and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in autumn and winter (September 16 to March 15), with admission accepted until 30 minutes before closing.
Day 1 Evening | Choosing Hiroshima Food and Where to Stay
In the evening, rather than adding too many sightseeing spots, spending your time on dinner and preparing for the next day leaves you more room for walking around Miyajima.
Because the flow of the trip differs between the area around Hiroshima Station and the Hatchobori and Kamiyacho area, decide how to spend your evening according to how you plan to depart the next morning.
Check How to Order at Each Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Restaurant
To enjoy Hiroshima's food culture, choose from Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, oyster dishes, and Seto Inland Sea seafood according to your condition and taste.
Hiroshima okonomiyaki is typically a layered pancake made with noodles, and many restaurants finish it right in front of you on the griddle.
At seats in front of the griddle, avoid touching the hot equipment, and handle shared spatulas and condiments while watching how others around you are using them.
If you have food allergies or religious dietary restrictions, check the use of sauce, dashi (broth), meat, and seafood before ordering.
Organize Your Luggage with the Next Morning's Travel in Mind
If you stay around Hiroshima Station, connecting to JR is straightforward, while if you stay in the city center you tend to be able to enjoy evening restaurants and strolling around town more easily.
Since you will use a ferry the next day, leaving your suitcase at your accommodation or a storage service near the station and heading to the island with a small bag makes walking easier.
Day 2 | Sightseeing in Miyajima by JR and Ferry
On your Miyajima sightseeing day, it is important to check the operating information for trains and boats and to move with time to spare for the return trip.
The scenery of Itsukushima Shrine changes in impression with the state of the tide, but rather than complicating your itinerary by prioritizing tide levels alone, build your plan around the shrine visit and strolling the town.
How to Get from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi by JR
At Hiroshima Station, check for the Sanyo Line bound for Miyajimaguchi and Iwakuni before boarding.
From Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station takes about 25-30 minutes as a guide, with no transfers.
Because platforms and departure times vary by day of operation, check the station signage and JR West's operating information.
Once you arrive at Miyajimaguchi Station, follow the signs to the ferry terminal.
Cross from Miyajimaguchi by Ferry to the Island of Itsukushima Shrine
At Miyajimaguchi, check the ticket machines and boarding area of the ferry company you will use, and confirm the fare you need and how the Miyajima Visitor Tax is handled before boarding.
The ferries are operated by two companies, JR West Miyajima Ferry and Miyajima Matsudai Kisen; both take about 10 minutes, with a one-way fare of 200 yen for adults and 100 yen for children.
The Miyajima Visitor Tax is, in principle, 100 yen per visit (or 500 yen for a full year), and is usually collected added on to the ferry fare and the like.
The JR West Miyajima Ferry runs an Otorii-bin service (departing Miyajimaguchi from 9:10 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.) that approaches the Great Torii (O-torii), but depending on the tide level it may run on the regular route.
On board, avoid placing your luggage in the aisle, and when taking photos on deck, be careful that hats or papers are not blown away by the wind.
Visit Itsukushima Shrine and See the Shrine Buildings over the Sea
Walk along the shore from Miyajima Pier, take in the positional relationship between the Great Torii and the shrine buildings from Mikasa-hama Beach, and then head to Itsukushima Shrine.
The offering fee (admission) for Itsukushima Shrine is 300 yen for adults, 200 yen for high school students, and 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students; it opens early, in principle from 6:30 a.m., making it easy to visit before the crowds.
At the shrine, follow the designated route of worship and choose where to pause so as not to block places of prayer.
Because the floor of the corridor (kairo) has gaps as a countermeasure against high tides, it is safer to avoid thin heels and visit in comfortable walking shoes.
Walk the Omotesando Shopping Street and Machiya-dori
After your visit, enjoy lunch and souvenir shopping on the Omotesando shopping street, and on the way back, loop through Machiya-dori to experience both the lively approach and the calm townscape.
On the Omotesando shopping street, you can enjoy Miyajima's distinctive flavors as street food, such as freshly baked momiji manju, grilled oysters, and anagomeshi (conger eel over rice).
If you have time and energy to spare, adding Daigan-ji and Daisho-in temples is a good way to trace Miyajima's culture, where temples and shrines coexist.
Here is an easy-to-follow order for walking so you are less likely to get lost:
| Order | Place | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miyajima Pier | Check the map |
| 2 | Mikasa-hama Beach | Torii and shrine buildings |
| 3 | Itsukushima Shrine | Worship and architecture |
| 4 | Around Daigan-ji | Temple and shrine culture |
| 5 | Omotesando | Food and souvenirs |
| 6 | Machiya-dori | Strolling the townscape |
Transport and Etiquette to Make a Car-Free Hiroshima Trip Comfortable
On a trip centered on public transport, getting your payment method, luggage, and confirmation of the last services in order prevents mishaps better than adding more modes of transport.
In particular, trams use stops on the road, and on Miyajima there are long stretches of walking, so being mindful of your footing and your surroundings is important.
Keep Your Tram Payment Method Consistent
On Hiroshima Electric Railway you can use cash, eligible tickets, and supported IC cards, but the methods of use and supported brands may change.
Tram fares are a flat rate across all lines at 240 yen for adults, and using a free pass such as a one-day pass makes getting around the city easier.
During your trip, settling on a single payment method and checking the boarding and alighting steps each time reduces missed stops and confusion when paying.
Store Large Luggage Before Sightseeing
Inside the tram, at Peace Memorial Park, and along the Miyajima approach, there are all kinds of situations where it is hard to move around while carrying a large suitcase.
Because Hiroshima Station has coin lockers and a baggage room, check them in advance together with your accommodation's luggage-storage conditions.
Packing only valuables, drinks, rain gear, and a charging method into a small bag lets you move lightly through both city sightseeing and walking around Miyajima.
Check Facility and Transport Operating and Opening Information on the Day
Depending on weather, events, construction, and crowding, opening hours, operations, and the route of worship may change.
Organizing what to check lets you finish your pre-departure check in a short time.
| Where to Check | What to Check | When to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima Electric Railway | Operations and how to ride | Before leaving the city |
| Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum | How to enter | Before the trip |
| JR West | Train operations | Before departing for Miyajima |
| Miyajima ferry | Sailings and boarding area | Before boarding |
| Itsukushima Shrine | Visiting and route | Before worship |
Summary | Explore Hiroshima's Classic Sights by Tram and JR
A car-free 2-day Hiroshima model course is easy to build as a plan that tours Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle Park, and Shukkeien by tram on the first day, and heads to Miyajima by JR and ferry the next day.
If you store your luggage, decide your payment method, and check the operating and opening information for facilities and transport, you can enjoy Hiroshima's distinctive history and scenery while keeping the anxiety of transfers to a minimum.
Rather than cramming everything in, leaving time to think about peace, to pause in the garden, and to worship quietly at the shrine leads to a trip that stays with you.
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