Hiroshima
Feb. 17 - 19, 2026 (2D2N): After wrapping up our 2026 Kansai deep dive, we headed west toward Hiroshima before continuing down to Kyushu. To make the most of the Shinkansen ride from Osaka, we opted for a pit stop at Himeji Castle; it’s a seamless "on the way" addition that saves you a separate day trip. If you aren’t visiting beyond the Kansai region, be sure to add Himeji Castle during your day trip to Kobe.
This Hiroshima leg was a major bucket list moment for me; I’ve been dreaming of seeing the Miyajima floating torii gate ever since a friend gifted me a wooden ema (wish charm) from the shrine back in the mid-2010s. Seeing it in person after a decade was surreal. From the somber history at the Peace Memorial Park to the incredible layered Okonomiyaki, Hiroshima is a non-negotiable stop on any Japan itinerary.
Day 1 (Himeji/Hiroshima):
Train to Himeji from Osaka (~1 hr):
Himeji Castle (9 am-4 pm; suggested duration 1.5 hours; shoes need to come off to enter the main keep, so wear thick socks as the wooden floors could be freezing and slippery!)
2:46-3:42 pm: Shinkansen to Hiroshima
Check-in @ Randor Hotel Hiroshima Prestige
5-7 pm: Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Food Walking Tour with a Certified Food Specialist*:
Alice Garden (where the Okonomiyaki stands started)
Dinner @ Tokugawa Souhonten (make your own okonomiyaki)
Walk through the Hondori shopping streets
旧大林組広島支店の遺構 (remaining structure after the A-bomb)
Hiroshima Gate Park (the original field for the Hiroshima Carp after the A-bomb)
Day 2 (Miyajima Island):
Metro & Ferry to Miyajima Island:
9-11 am: From Deer to Deities: Explore Spiritual Miyajima walking tour*
Walk through Miyajima Omotesandō Shopping Street
Floating Torri Gate* (check for high/low tide schedule)
Itsukushikama Shrine (6:30 am - 6 pm; suggested duration 30 mins; cash only)
Daisho-in* (8 am - 5 pm; suggested duration 30 mins; free; walk through the underground passage)
Fried and steamed oysters @ Miyajima Oyster Fried Skewers, Conger Eel Skewers, and Beer, Miyajima Croquette
Famous local lemon soda @ Limonda Gebura*
Shop @ HAKATAYA* (pick up the famous maple leaf-shaped dessert /Momiji Manju - cheesecake is my favorite)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (the museum was closed for renovation while we were there):
Pride of Hiroshima (Free exhibition to show how the city was before and after the A-bomb)
Sandwiches from Andersen Hiroshima* or sushi @ Hitoshi
Day 3 (Depart for Kagoshima):
Grab conger eel benton @ あなごめし うえの 福屋広島駅前販売所
11:54 am-2:27 pm: Shinkansen to Kagoshima-Chuo
Other points of interest & food:
Hike up to Shishiiwa Observatory
Matcha @ SAWAWA Miyajima
Seafood @ Yakigaki No Hayashi
Tips:
Himeji Station has rows of large coin lockers for your bags, or you can ship them between hotels.
Check the Miyajima Tide Table - the floating view occurs at high tide and low tide lets you walk out and touch it.
If you’re using any JR Pass, make sure you take the JR Miyajima Ferry (not the Matsudai one). It’s included in your pass, and the captain usually steers closer to the Torii gate for a better photo op.
Hiroshima produces roughly 60% of Japan’s oysters. If you’re there in the cooler months, grab them grilled (Yaki-gaki) from a street stall in Miyajima for the freshest "bang for your buck" snack.
There is an ATM inside Miyajima Post Office.
