How many days · Hiroshima · Japan
How many days do you need in Hiroshima?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Aude, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Hiroshima, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the Peace Memorial Park and museum on one day and Miyajima on the other. A third day adds Hiroshima Castle's grounds and Shukkei-en or a day trip to Onomichi, Kure or Iwakuni; staying a night on Miyajima is worth considering.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 9.9 h (Dec) to 14.4 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Itsukushima Shrine |
| 2 days | Good | Itsukushima Shrine, Children's Peace Monument and Mount Misen |
| 3 days | Ideal | Daisho-in Temple, Hiroshima Castle and Shukkei-en Garden |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Iwakuni and Kintai Bridge |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Iwakuni and Kintai Bridge and Onomichi |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Hiroshima add up to roughly 14–16 hours of visiting time — about 2 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Mount Misen (Half a day), Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (1.5–2 hours) and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park | 1.5–2 hours | Peace Park and Hondori |
| Atomic Bomb Dome | 30 minutes | Peace Park and Hondori |
| Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum | 2 hours | Peace Park and Hondori |
| Itsukushima Shrine | 1–1.5 hours | Miyajima |
| Children's Peace Monument | 20 minutes | Peace Park and Hondori |
| Mount Misen | Half a day | Miyajima |
| Daisho-in Temple | 45 minutes | Miyajima |
| Hiroshima Castle | 1 hour | Hakushima and the castle |
| Shukkei-en Garden | 1 hour | Hakushima and the castle |
| Okonomimura | 1 hour | Peace Park and Hondori |
| Hondori Shopping Arcade | 1 hour | Peace Park and Hondori |
| Hiroshima Orizuru Tower | 45 minutes | Peace Park and Hondori |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Iwakuni and Kintai Bridge and Onomichi |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 9.9 hours of daylight) than in June (about 14.4 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Hiroshima with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Hiroshima?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the Peace Memorial Park and museum on one day and Miyajima on the other. A third day adds Hiroshima Castle's grounds and Shukkei-en or a day trip to Onomichi, Kure or Iwakuni; staying a night on Miyajima is worth considering.
+Is a week too long in Hiroshima?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Iwakuni and Kintai Bridge and Onomichi.