A Perfect 2-Day Itinerary for Exploring Hiroshima
By Alejandra Mendoza Garcia - Posted on January 8th, 2026 - Ale Around the World
After exploring Osaka, we're now heading to our last stop in Japan: Hiroshima. I've been super excited to visit this city because back in school, when we studied World War II, I was always fascinated by the history. I used to read and search for more information about what happened with the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. So, visiting this beautiful city with such a rich yet somber history is truly a dream come true.
We took the bullet train from Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station, and it only took about 1.5 hours. We're staying at a hotel in a great location, just a short walk from the main attractions. It's called Hotel Mystays Hiroshima. The customer service is fantastic, the rooms are comfy, and they have a restaurant with an incredible view.
We spent just two days in the city, and honestly, that's enough time to hit the main attractions. On our first day, we checked out the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, right in the heart of Hiroshima, Japan. This place is all about remembering Hiroshima as the first city to face a nuclear attack during World War II and honoring the memory of the 140,000 victims. There are tons of monuments dedicated to them, and you can't miss the A-Bomb Dome, the skeletal remains of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. It's the closest building to the bomb's hypocenter that still stands, left as it was to honor those who suffered.
The park itself is beautiful, with a lovely river view, but there's a heavy sadness in the air as you walk through it. There's also a museum in the park that you can visit. Inside, you'll find belongings left by the victims, photos, and other materials that really bring home the horror of that event. It's incredibly quiet and somber, and I guarantee you'll shed a tear or two. People around you will be crying too—it's just that moving.
Visiting this place was something I had to see for myself, and being there felt like a dream come true. And while you're in Hiroshima, don't miss out on trying the city's famous dish, Okonomiyaki. Head over to Okonomiyaki Wakataka for a taste!
The next day, we checked out Hiroshima Castle. This place has seen its share of tragedy and violence, but now it offers some seriously peaceful views of Hiroshima. The castle you see today was built in 1958 as a replica, but the original fortress has a history that goes back centuries, even before the city itself. Now, it’s a museum that tells the story of Hiroshima before the atomic bombing. It’s a pretty faithful representation of the original building. Heads up if you’re visiting in the summer: there’s no air conditioning inside, so it can get pretty hot. Also, be ready to climb a lot of stairs. You can stroll around its garden and check out the Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine while you’re there.
After that, we wandered over to Shukkeien Garden, which is hands down the most beautiful and peaceful place I’ve ever been. It’s a small park, but you’ll feel so at peace with the water and nature all around you. Shukkeien has been around since 1620, right after Hiroshima Castle was finished. The garden is a great example of traditional Japanese aesthetics, and there are several tea houses around the main pond that offer perfect views of the scenery.
And that wraps up my 2-day itinerary in Hiroshima. If you need to head back to Tokyo, you can hop on the bullet train for about $200 Canadian. It takes around 5 hours to get to Tokyo Station.
