- How Long Should You Spend in Hiroshima? - 14 July 2025
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Many people visiting the city of Hiroshima do so just for one day, but is that really enough, or should you stay longer? Our guide can help you decide…
Can You Really See Hiroshima in A Day?
To some extent, yes. If you have come here to see the Peace Museum, Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome, you can easily do that in one day. Or, the most popular way to spend a day here is to spend half a day visiting the sights around the Peace Museum and Atomic Bomb Dome, and another half visiting the island of Miyajima. If that’s all you want to cover, one day can be enough to spend in Hiroshima; however, you will only scratch the surface in both places.
Personally, I think you need a minimum of a whole day in Hiroshima city itself, and a second day in Miyajima to start to do both places justice. On my last trip, I spent one night on Miyajima and three nights in Hiroshima, but I still didn’t get to do everything I wanted (mainly because it rained miserably on one day, which threw off my timings). So, what’s right for you – a day trip or a longer stay?
Who Might Want to Spend Longer
These are the five main groups I think might want to spend longer in Hiroshima.
Empaths
That might sound like a strange category, but do not underestimate how much visiting Hiroshima is going to affect you.
It might not hit straight away, I managed to walk around the museum okay, but then I walked into one of the other areas of the Peace Park, read a story in one of the exhibits and totally lost it. When the magnitude of the place hits, it can be tough to shake it off and head to a ferry to see cute deer or load up on okonomiyaki and beer at an izakaya.
If you’re the type of person who takes on people’s emotions, or who cries at the drop of a hat, you might want to spend a day or two here so you can let things settle before throwing yourself into the less sombre things Hiroshima has to offer.
History Buffs
The Peace Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome might be the most famous Hiroshima sights associated with the events of August 6th 1945, but there are sights dedicated to the effects of the bomb spread across the city – and they’re all very interesting in their own way.
If you want to explore further, you’ll need at least one whole day in Hiroshima itself – sights to add to your list include a full exploration of the different exhibits of the Peace Park, the bomb’s hypocentre, the former Bank of Japan and the Fukuromachi Elementary School Museum. See more in our fuller guide to the atomic bomb sights (coming soon).
Need Extra Planning Help?
Our Japan trip planners can help. You might like our First-Timers Japan Planner, which will help you plan your trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka step-by-step, including tips on everything from picking hotels to sightseeing and dining. Or our super-duper Tokyo Disney Planner makes arranging your park trip MUCH easier. Find them in our Planners store – printable and digital versions are available.
Those Who Want to See Beyond the Bomb
Hiroshima’s history and tourism are very much based around the events of that fateful day, but there are other things to do here as well.
There’s a pretty garden, a castle and an enjoyable shrine walk. You can drink and dine in a cool bar area, stuff yourself with okonomiyaki, or watch the sunset from the Orizuru Tower. If you want to cover all of those, see the bomb-related history and visit Miyajima, you need more than a day.
If You Want to Explore Miyajima Fully
One reason I hadn’t got to Miyajima before this trip was that I couldn’t make a day trip work alongside the high tide that allows you to see Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine and its floating torii gate at its most beautiful.
Tide times on Miyajima vary throughout the year, and they can also affect the quick and easy route between the Peace Park and the island (see more in our guide to Miyajima at low tide).
That, combined with the fact that there’s a lot more to do in Miyajima than just seeing the floating torii gate, means Miyajima can need more time than the half a day many people allocate to it. If you agree, then you’ll need more than a day in Hiroshima.
Day Trippers/Crowd Escapers/Second Timers
One reason I chose to stay in Hiroshima for three nights on my last trip was that, as well as having a lot to do in the city itself, there are many day trips available from Hiroshima.
I went to Iwakuni to see the temple of the white snake and its interesting bridge, and took a sake tour in nearby Saijo. However, you could also visit Japan’s Bunny Island, the Art Islands like Naoshima, the old town of Takehara, and more if you stayed here for a few days.
If you’re trying to break away a little bit from the Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo route, maybe because you want to escape the crowds seeing the same sights, or, perhaps you’ve been to Japan before and so don’t need to stay in Kyoto or Osaka, you might want to consider basing yourself in Hiroshima instead.
Find more details about our suggested day trips from Hiroshima here.
Who Might Only Need One Day
Conversely, there are some groups who might not enjoy spending so much time in Hiroshima.
Those with Younger Children
Hiroshima is very sombre. When I was in the museum, nobody spoke at all for an hour. While older children will understand the history and may not be confronted by what’s on show, younger kids probably won’t understand what’s going on or why everyone around them is silent – or even in tears.
I’m not saying don’t take them – you’ll arrive at the museum and see entire classes of small Japanese children there, but bear in mind the solemnity might not be the most fun. An hour inside will be more than enough, leaving you plenty of time to explore outside and then head to Miyajima.
If You Just Want the Highlights
As I said, you can easily cover the Peace Museum, the Atomic Bomb Dome and see the floating torii gate of Miyajima in one day. If they are why you’re coming here, don’t stress about it – just come for the day.
Save Money with the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass
If you are visiting Hiroshima on a day trip from Osaka (or Kyoto), or, you’re staying a few days but making the return east within five days, the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass WILL save you money over buying single tickets on the shinkansen.
It costs 17,000 yen and the return to Hiroshima from Shin-Osaka costs almost 23,000 yen in a reserved seat.
If you’re coming from Kyoto things are a little more complicated as the pass doesn’t cover the Shinkansen between Kyoto and Shin Osaka – you can use it on the local train and change, or, if you’d prefer to use the Shinkansen, buy separate tickets for that part of the journey (around 3000 yen). It will still cost less than buying a return.
So, there’s my guide to how long you might need to stay in Hiroshima. I hope it helped you decide whether to just come on a Hiroshima day trip or spend a few days exploring at a deeper level.
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Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan eight times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 25 towns and cities. My last visit was November 2024 so, everything here is pretty up to date.