Hiroshima in three days: where should the middle day go?
Stay 2 nights in Hiroshima and choose Miyajima or Onomichi for day 2. Miyajima suits coastal shrine and shops; Senkojiyama offers town and island views from above. Island routes finish with Shukkeien; Onomichi routes finish with Peace Memorial Museum.
Choose a 2 nights, 3 days itinerary
Museum, island and garden
Spend 2 nights near Hiroshima Station. Separate the first exhibition day from the second island return trip, then keep the final day within the city garden area.
Museum, island and garden →2 nights, 3 daysGarden, Onomichi and museum
Spend 2 nights near Hiroshima Station, choosing an Onomichi day trip instead of Miyajima, then museum exhibitions on the final day. Check travel-date JR times and fares to Onomichi.
Garden, Onomichi and museum →Museum, island and garden
Spend 2 nights near Hiroshima Station. Separate the first exhibition day from the second island return trip, then keep the final day within the city garden area.
Day 1 · Hiroshima Station → park and museum → Hiroshima Station
Visit park and museum, then reach your booked Hiroshima hotel. Leave Miyajima’s return trip for tomorrow.
- Hiroshima Station → Museum and park
Start from the usual second-floor line 2 D or line 6 C platform. Take line 2 or 6 westbound to Genbaku Dome-mae. Some services use other platforms; check your service’s current destination and platform signs.
Hiroden platform changesHiroden line 2 stops and directionHiroden line 6 stops and directionCurrent Hiroden platform diagram: line 2 D and line 6 C
- Museum and park entrance → Museum and park visit, with a meal
From the dome exterior, walk through the park to the East Building, then allow 2 hours for the museum. Walking from dome to museum and back to Genbaku Dome-mae afterwards is excluded from exhibition time. If closed, you may swap with the garden day after checking both calendars.
Open the official Peace Memorial Museum guideOfficial museum guide
- Museum and park → Hiroshima Station
After eating on Hondori, check directions from the restaurant back to Genbaku Dome-mae. Return on line 2 or 6 to Hiroshima Station. Leave the island trip for tomorrow rather than adding it tonight.
Open the official Peace Memorial Museum guideHiroden line 2 stops and directionHiroden line 6 stops and direction
Day 2 · Hiroshima Station → Miyajima shrine and shops → Hiroshima Station
Spend the island day at shrine and shops. Check the return ferry and Hiroshima-bound JR connection first.
- Hiroshima Station → JR Miyajimaguchi Station
Take the JR Sanyo Line towards Iwakuni to Miyajimaguchi. This differs from Hiroden’s tram stop of the same name. Check outward and Hiroshima-bound return trains for your date together.
Walking between station, landing and shrineFerry timetableFerry faresJR Hiroshima official timetable and station-map entry
- JR Miyajimaguchi Station → JR ferry passenger terminal
Walk about 10 minutes from the station to JR Miyajima Ferry’s terminal. For a JR pass, distinguish it from other operators serving the same island. Boarding waits are extra.
Walking between station, landing and shrineFerry timetableFerry faresJR Hiroshima official timetable and station-map entry
- JR ferry passenger terminal → Miyajima landing
Cross on JR Miyajima Ferry in about 10 minutes. Ordinary adult fare is JPY 200 one way or JPY 400 return, with a separate JPY 100 visitor tax. Choose your return ferry first and check time for the shrine visit.
Walking between station, landing and shrineFerry timetableJR Miyajima Ferry ordinary fares and visitor tax
- Miyajima landing → Itsukushima Shrine
Walk about 15 minutes from the landing to the shrine. Visits proceed one way, so recheck harbour directions from the exit. Tides change the view; walking beneath the torii is not always possible.
Walking between station, landing and shrineFerry timetableFerry faresJR Hiroshima official timetable and station-map entry
- Shrine and shopping-street entrance → Shrine and shopping-street visit, with a meal
After the ferry, follow the coast to the shrine. Allow roughly 3 hours for corridors and shopping-street lunch, distinguishing outdoor coastal views from the interior corridors.
Open Itsukushima Shrine’s official guideOpen the official Miyajima Omotesando guideFerry fares
- Shrine and shopping streets → Miyajima landing
Return to the landing after the shrine and shops. Allow the roughly 15-minute shrine-to-landing walk and boarding queue separately, adjusting street time to your return ferry.
- Miyajima landing → Mainland terminal and JR Miyajimaguchi
Return on JR ferry, then walk about 10 minutes to JR Miyajimaguchi. Do not treat ferry arrival as JR departure time; leave walking and train-waiting time when choosing the connection.
Walking between station, landing and shrineFerry timetableJR Miyajima Ferry ordinary fares and visitor tax
- JR Miyajimaguchi Station → Hiroshima Station
Return on the JR Sanyo Line towards Hiroshima. Check stopping stations and departures for your date. Stay at your booked Hiroshima hotel tonight.
Walking between station, landing and shrineFerry timetableFerry faresJR Hiroshima official timetable and station-map entry
Day 3 · Hiroshima Station → morning Shukkeien walk → station
Visit only the city garden on the final morning. For an early departure, move it to an earlier day or omit it.
- Hiroshima Station second floor → Hatchobori
Take a westbound tram from the usual line 2 D or line 6 C platform to Hatchobori. Some services use other platforms; follow current destination and platform signs.
Hiroden line 2 stops and directionHiroden line 6 stops and directionHiroden platform changesCurrent Hiroden platform diagram: line 2 D and line 6 C
- Hatchobori → Shukkeien-mae and Shukkeien
Use the pedestrian crossing to reach the Hakushima Line platform. Take line 9 towards Hakushima to Shukkeien-mae, then walk to the entrance. With cash, collect a transfer ticket at the first alighting and surrender it at the next. With IC, tap at each boarding/alighting and change within 60 minutes of the first alighting.
Hiroden line 9 stops and directionHatchobori transfer diagramHiroden cash transfer ticket and IC validityGarden access and current opening
- Shukkeien entrance → Garden visit and meal
Allow 60–90 minutes after opening for the garden. This final morning chooses the garden instead of another island return trip.
- Shukkeien entrance → Hatchobori
Return to Shukkeien-mae and take line 9 towards Hatchobori. Add stop walking and tram waiting to the visit estimate. The opposite-direction return requires a new fare.
Hiroden line 9 stops and directionHiroden cash transfer ticket and IC validityGarden access and current opening
- Hatchobori → Hiroshima Station
Cross to the Hiroshima Station-bound platform and board line 2 or 6. Check return services for your date. Adult ordinary fares meeting the transfer conditions are JPY 240 one way or JPY 480 return.
Hiroden line 2 stops and directionHiroden line 6 stops and directionHatchobori transfer diagramHiroden ordinary faresHiroden cash transfer ticket and IC validity
Included: The subtotal includes JPY 680 for the museum and return trams, JPY 800 for the shrine, ferry and tax, and JPY 830 for the garden and return trams.
Extra costs and conditions: Hiroshima–Miyajimaguchi JR return, airport transport, accommodation, meals and luggage storage cost extra.
A valid pass covering JR ferry removes the separate JPY 400 return fare from this amount; the JPY 100 visitor tax still applies.
Free-entry days, JR passes and ropeway discounts are excluded from this total. Check travel-date prices, opening and reservations.
Official museum admission, opening and bookingHiroden ordinary faresHiroden transfersOpen Itsukushima Shrine’s official guideFerry faresOfficial Shukkeien admission and opening
Garden, Onomichi and museum
Spend 2 nights near Hiroshima Station, choosing an Onomichi day trip instead of Miyajima, then museum exhibitions on the final day. Check travel-date JR times and fares to Onomichi.
Day 1 · Hiroshima Station → Shukkeien and prefectural art museum → station
Visit garden and adjacent museum together. Choose a day when both open and the collection is available.
- Hiroshima Station second floor → Hatchobori
Take a westbound tram from the usual line 2 D or line 6 C platform to Hatchobori. Some services use other platforms; follow current destination and platform signs.
Hiroden line 2 stops and directionHiroden line 6 stops and directionHiroden platform changesCurrent Hiroden platform diagram: line 2 D and line 6 C
- Hatchobori → Shukkeien-mae, Shukkeien and art museum
Use the pedestrian crossing to reach the Hakushima Line platform. Take line 9 towards Hakushima to Shukkeien-mae, then walk to the entrance. With cash, collect a transfer ticket at the first alighting and surrender it at the next. With IC, tap at each boarding/alighting and change within 60 minutes of the first alighting.
Hiroden line 9 stops and directionHatchobori transfer diagramHiroden cash transfer ticket and IC validityGarden access and current openingTram access
- Garden and art museum entrance → Garden and art museum visit, with a meal
Allow 60 minutes for garden and 90 for the adjacent collection, using the standard JPY 660 joint ticket. Walking between facilities, lunch and admission queues need separate time between these estimates. Special exhibition fees are excluded. If either facility closes, buy individual admission for the open one rather than assuming the joint ticket.
Art museum admission and closuresGarden access and current opening
- Garden and art museum entrance → Hatchobori
Return to Shukkeien-mae and take line 9 towards Hatchobori. Add stop walking and tram waiting to the visit estimate. The opposite-direction return requires a new fare.
Hiroden line 9 stops and directionHiroden cash transfer ticket and IC validityGarden access and current openingTram access
- Hatchobori → Hiroshima Station
Cross to the Hiroshima Station-bound platform and board line 2 or 6. Check return services for your date. Adult ordinary fares meeting the transfer conditions are JPY 240 one way or JPY 480 return.
Hiroden line 2 stops and directionHiroden line 6 stops and directionHatchobori transfer diagramHiroden ordinary faresHiroden cash transfer ticket and IC validity
Day 2 · Hiroshima Station → Senkojiyama in Onomichi → Hiroshima Station
Visit Senkojiyama and return to the same Hiroshima hotel. Plan your descent time separately from the JR return.
- Hiroshima Station → JR Onomichi Station
Choose a JR Sanyo Line service towards Mihara/Fukuyama stopping at Onomichi. If not direct, change at the station shown by the official planner. This differs from Shinkansen Shin-Onomichi. For a day trip, check Mihara-bound return services from Onomichi too.
JR Hiroshima official timetable and station-map entryJR Onomichi official timetable and station-map entryJR Shin-Onomichi Shinkansen and connecting-station guide
- JR Onomichi Station → Senkojiyama Ropeway lower station
Walk about 15 minutes from Onomichi to the lower ropeway station. Choose the operator’s suggested railway-side, Hondori or coastal route.
- Ropeway lower station → Upper station
Buy a return ropeway ticket. One-way ride is about 3 minutes, excluding ticket and boarding waits. Ordinary adult return fare is JPY 700; a JR pass does not make this ride free.
Open the official Senkojiyama Ropeway guideMore transport and operating informationSenkojiyama ordinary tickets and JR-pass presentation discount
- Upper station → Senkojiyama Park views
Allow 60–90 minutes for park views and 60 minutes for lunch below the hill. Normal ropeway operation ends at 17:15; check the last downhill service for your date. Finish with enough time to walk to the station and catch JR back.
Open the official Senkojiyama Ropeway guideMore transport and operating informationOfficial ropeway operating hours
- Upper station → Lower station
Descend using the return ropeway ticket. Normally operating until 17:15, it needs a date-specific last-downhill and service-notice check. If suspended, choose sights below the hill instead of hilltop views.
Official ropeway operating hoursOpen the official Senkojiyama Ropeway guide
- Lower station → Around Onomichi Station
Retrace the roughly 15-minute walk towards Onomichi Station, with meal, rest and navigation time separately.
Operator’s access by starting stationOpen the official Senkojiyama Ropeway guideJR Onomichi official timetable and station-map entryJR Hiroshima official timetable and station-map entry
- JR Onomichi Station → Hiroshima Station
Check Mihara-bound services from JR Onomichi to Hiroshima, including transfers. Ropeway descent time is not JR departure time; leave station walking and boarding waits.
JR Onomichi official timetable and station-map entryJR Hiroshima official timetable and station-map entryOperator’s access by starting station
Day 3 · Hiroshima Station → Peace Memorial Museum → station
See morning exhibitions before departure. First check time for your reserved entry, queues, visit and station return.
- Hiroshima Station → Peace Memorial Museum
Start at second-floor line 2 D or line 6 C, alight at Genbaku Dome-mae and walk through the park to the East Building. Some services use other platforms; follow your service’s destination and platform display.
Hiroden platform changesHiroden line 2 stops and directionHiroden line 6 stops and directionCurrent Hiroden platform diagram: line 2 D and line 6 C
- Peace Memorial Museum entrance → Peace Memorial Museum visit and meal
Allow 2 hours for morning exhibitions. This day excludes a long southern park walk and Hondori shopping. If booked entry, queues and the station return leave too little departure time, move the museum to day 1 and reduce either garden or art museum.
Open the official Peace Memorial Museum guideOfficial museum guide
- Peace Memorial Museum → Hiroshima Station
After visiting, walk from the East Building exit through the park to Genbaku Dome-mae and take line 2 or 6 towards Hiroshima Station. Add park walking, tram waiting and onward-train platform access to exhibition time. An admission booking does not secure the return connection.
Open the official Peace Memorial Museum guideHiroden line 2 stops and directionHiroden line 6 stops and direction
Included: The subtotal includes JPY 660 for the garden and collection joint ticket, JPY 480 for return trams, JPY 700 for the return ropeway and JPY 680 for the museum and return trams.
Extra costs and conditions: Hiroshima–Onomichi JR return, airport transport, accommodation, meals, luggage storage and special exhibitions cost extra.
This uses the JPY 660 joint ticket for garden and collection on the same day.
Free-entry days, JR passes and ropeway discounts are excluded from this total. Check travel-date prices, opening and reservations.
Art museum admission and closuresHiroden ordinary faresHiroden transfersOpen the official Senkojiyama Ropeway guideOfficial museum admission, opening and booking
Frequently asked questions
Is the cost table a complete budget including accommodation and transport?
No. Miyajima routes total museum/garden admission and return trams, shrine/JR ferry/tax. Onomichi routes total garden/collection joint admission and return trams, ropeway return, and museum/return trams. JR to Miyajimaguchi or Onomichi, airport transport, accommodation, meals, luggage storage and special exhibitions cost extra.
Official museum admission, opening and bookingHiroden ordinary faresHiroden transfersOpen Itsukushima Shrine’s official guideFerry faresOfficial Shukkeien admission and openingArt museum admission and closuresOpen the official Senkojiyama Ropeway guide
Should you search Shin-Onomichi for visiting Onomichi?
This sightseeing route starts at JR Sanyo Line Onomichi, then a roughly 15-minute lower-ropeway walk, with return walking and JR waits extra. Shinkansen Shin-Onomichi differs and needs separate ropeway access. For return, search Mihara-bound direct/connecting services to Hiroshima from Onomichi.
JR Onomichi official timetable and station-map entryOperator’s access by starting stationJR Shin-Onomichi Shinkansen and connecting-station guide
Official sources and confirmation dates
- Official museum guide ·
- Hiroden ordinary fares ·
- Open the official Peace Memorial Museum guide ·
- Open Itsukushima Shrine’s official guide ·
- Ferry fares ·
- Ferry timetable ·
- Walking between station, landing and shrine ·
- Open the official Miyajima Omotesando guide ·
- Open the official Senkojiyama Ropeway guide ·
- More transport and operating information ·
- Art museum admission and closures ·
- Tram access ·
- Hiroden transfers ·
- Hiroden platform changes ·
- Hatchobori transfer diagram ·
- Operator’s access by starting station ·
- Garden access and current opening ·
- Hiroden line 9 stops and direction ·
- Hiroden line 2 stops and direction ·
- Hiroden line 6 stops and direction ·
- JR Shin-Onomichi Shinkansen and connecting-station guide ·
- Current Hiroden platform diagram: line 2 D and line 6 C ·
- Official museum admission, opening and booking ·
- Official Shukkeien admission and opening ·
- Official ropeway operating hours ·
- JR West Kansai–Hiroshima coverage, price and eligibility ·
- JR West Sanyo–Sanin coverage, price and eligibility ·
- Official Kansai–Hiroshima coverage map ·
- Official Sanyo–Sanin coverage map ·
- Senkojiyama ordinary tickets and JR-pass presentation discount ·
- Hiroden cash transfer ticket and IC validity ·
- JR Miyajima Ferry ordinary fares and visitor tax ·
- JR Onomichi official timetable and station-map entry ·
- JR Hiroshima official timetable and station-map entry ·