Duration(in days): 3
From: Kyoto
To:
See more ideas for: Japan
Despite its dark history as the first nuclear target during WWII, this 3 day visit Hiroshima trip is utterly captivating and can easily be added as an extension to your stay.
Wander through the Peace Park, visit the ‘A’ Dome (the only structure to survive the blast), hear the Japanese account and learn about the people of Hiroshima’s moving and persistent campaign for nuclear disarmament. Sample some Okonomikayi (a local crepe-style dish) and end enjoy the peaceful experience of visiting Miyajima Island. Take the short ferry ride to Miyajima and visit the Daisho-in Temple and Itsukushima Shrine, the perfect spot for some stunning photos. Wander amidst the tame local deer to capture that perfect shot of the ‘floating’ Torii gate over the water.
This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.
Make your way from Kyoto to Hiroshima on board the bullet train, keep a look out for the Seto Ohashi Bridge lining the mainland with Shikoku Island, at 13km it is the longest two-tiered suspension bridge in the world!
On arrival you have a free day, we suggest you visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the A-bomb Dome, a memorial and a world heritage site, a truly heartrending experience. Next take a stroll to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum stopping along the way at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, designed by the 1987 Pritzker Prize winner, Kenzo Tange and holding a registry of all those lost in the disaster.
Finally learn about the effects this bomb had on the city both at the time and since by visiting the museum cataloguing the history of Hiroshima as well as personal belongings left by the victims after the attack.
Today is a self-guided day.
Start early and take the short ferry ride to the island of Miyajima, a small sacred island in the Seto Inland Sea. Explore the island visiting Daisho-in Temple, one of the most visited Buddhist temples on the island and located at the foot of Mount Misen, it is believed that you will be blessed if you spin the sutras as you walk up the stairs that lead to the main hall.
For some fabulous photos head to Itsukushima Shrine, designated as one of Japan’s 3 most beautiful views. The shrine is designed in a pier like structure and dates back to the 6th century, you will also find the huge vermillion o-torii gate, which looks like it is floating in the water during high tide.
Head back over to Hiroshima for some free time this afternoon.
You have a day at leisure today before heading back to Kyoto via bullet train.
Late March to early April is spring time in Japan and a very popular time to visit. This coincides with cherry blossom season in the Honshu cities meaning availability will be low and prices at a premium, book well in advance. Prices will be high and availability limited around Golden Week (early May) O-Bon (mid-August) and New Year. Autumn foliage (November) is also a very busy time. June & July is rainy season for most of Japan and can be very humid whereas autumn (September to mid-December) is normally cool and clear. Late December and January is cool or cold in Honshu with snow often found on the mountains, many businesses close over the New Year period.
This itinerary is purely a suggestion, and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.
2 nights in 3* standard accommodation.