I am writing these words several months after my visit to Hiroshima, yet the emotions that surfaced during that trip remain as vivid as the day I arrived. While cities like Tokyo and Kyoto showcase Japan’s vibrant future and spiritual past, Hiroshima stands as a profound testament to human resilience and the necessity of peace. I also recommend to read the article – Planning a Trip to Japan? Here’s Everything You Need Before You go.
From the Temples of Kyoto to the Shinkansen
Our journey began in Kyoto. Even in the dull, muted colors of winter, Japan’s spiritual capital is charming and lively. Visiting during the first week of the New Year, we found ourselves surrounded by pilgrims from across the country, filling the air with a sense of renewal.
However, we felt our journey to Japan would be incomplete without visiting Hiroshima. Using the incredibly efficient Shinkansen (bullet train) system, we planned a poignant double-trip: the spiritual island of Miyajima and the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima.
Miyajima: The Island of Spirits
Miyajima is a place defined by folklore. Known as the birthplace of the wooden rice spoon (a significant invention for a culture that cherishes its culinary tools!), the island is a blend of sacred sites and natural beauty.
We walked the island’s perimeter, sharing the path with friendly deer—considered divine messengers, just like those in Nara. The highlight, of course, was the Itsukushima-jinja torii gate. Rising out of the sea, its bright red lacquer shifts in character with the tide. Watching pilgrims arrive by boat to this floating monument is a scene of timeless fascination.
Hiroshima: A Landscape of Memory
Arriving in Hiroshima, the city initially looks like any modern Western town. But as you walk toward the Peace Memorial Park (Heiwa Kinen Kōen), the weight of history begins to settle. Standing on the ground where the atomic bomb detonated changes your perspective instantly.
The A-Bomb Dome, originally an industrial exhibition hall, is one of the few structures that survived the blast. Its skeletal ruins, preserved exactly as they were in 1945, serve as a stark warning against the absurdity of violence.
The Flame of Peace and Sadako’s Legacy
Within the park, the Flame of Peace burns brightly. It is a powerful symbol, intended to be extinguished only when the last nuclear weapon on Earth is destroyed. Nearby, the Children’s Peace Monument tells the heartbreaking story of Sadako Sasaki. A young girl who developed leukemia years after the blast, Sadako set out to fold one thousand paper cranes—a Japanese symbol of longevity—in hopes of recovery. Though she passed away before finishing, her legacy lives on through the millions of colorful origami cranes sent to this spot by children worldwide.
The Museum of Peace
Finally, we entered the Peace Memorial Museum. The items on display—melted lunchboxes, shadow-imprinted stones, and distorted daily objects—strip away the political noise and focus on the human cost. These “shapeless” items represent lives cut short and dreams evaporated in an instant.
I left Hiroshima with an emotional picture I will never forget. It is a city that doesn’t just ask you to remember the past; it challenges you to build a better future.
We walk back to the train station, my eyes turn to this place until it disappears behind the horizon. I leave Hiroshima with a mental and emotional picture I will never forget.
How to Visit Hiroshima and Miyajima in One Day from Kyoto
For many travelers, Hiroshima is a deeply emotional side trip that shouldn’t be missed. Thanks to the speed of the Shinkansen, it is entirely possible to experience both the spiritual beauty of Miyajima and the somber history of Hiroshima as a day trip from Kyoto.
The Itinerary: Maximize Your Time
- Morning: Kyoto to Miyajima (approx. 2.5 hours)
- Take the Shinkansen Hikari or Sakura from Kyoto Station to Hiroshima Station. (If you have a JR Pass, these are your best options).
- Transfer to the local JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (25 mins).
- Board the JR Ferry to the island. The ferry is included in the JR Pass and offers the best view of the “floating” Torii gate.
- Pro Tip: Go to Miyajima first to catch the morning light and avoid the largest crowds.
- Afternoon: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
- Take the ferry back to the mainland and the local train back to Hiroshima Station.
- Jump on the Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus (Meipuru-pu)—also free for JR Pass holders—which drops you right at the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum.
- Evening: Return to Kyoto
- Before heading back, try Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki (savory pancakes layered with noodles) near the station. It’s a local specialty and the perfect comfort food after a long day of reflection.
Teacher, traveller, photographer… I plan and dream about my journeys in order to better get to know myself. Many travels behind me, many more the ones still want to experience and share.
