1 day ago3 min read

Ultimate Hiroshima Tourism: A One-Day Cruise Itinerary Guide

Photos are all property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

Geography: Principal city of the Chugoku Region, Honshu Island, Japan
Population: Approx. 2 Million
Currency: Japanese Yen (Yen); Currency Converter
Cruise Port: Google Map Location
Tender Port: No
Best Time to Visit: September - November

We rolled into Hiroshima, Japan on the Celebrity Millennium on August 24, 2024. Our ship docked around 1PM, and we had to be back on board by 9:30PM. Man, it was scorching in August, hitting about 95 degrees. Luckily, the terminal had a free shuttle to the train station. They even had a waiting room, so we didn't have to roast outside while waiting for the shuttle. The shuttle service started at 1:30PM and ran frequently to the tram terminal. If you're not into shuttles, you can just take a 15-minute stroll. The ship's last shuttle back to port was at 8:45PM. Remember the stop name "Hiroshimako station" - it's the final stop, but double-check you're heading in the right direction.

When we were at the tram terminal, we had the chance to hop on a boat to another island too. But since we were short on time, most of us decided to take the tram to the memorial park (both 1 & 7 trams go there). You can pay with Suica (set it up on your phone before the trip) or cash on the tram. If you didn't have exact change, no worries - there's a change machine on board to turn bills into coins. The tram ride lasted about 30 minutes because it made a lot of stops along the way.

We didn't have time to go inside the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, so we just snapped some photos outside because we wanted to catch a river cruise to Miyajima island. The boats had limited seats, so I recommend getting there early to secure your tickets. You can buy either a one-way or round-trip ticket. If you pay by credit card, there's no chance of a refund, but if you pay with cash, you might be able to get a refund once you're on the island in case you decide to not take the same return route.

I suggest taking AquaNet there (it's about a 45-minute ride from the Peace Memorial Park) and then taking a JR ferry back since it's cheaper, although it will be more crowded as the boat is bigger. If you also plan to visit Hiroshima Castle, the JR ferry is a quicker option. Just keep in mind that the castle closes at 6 pm, so it depends on how much time you have.

There's plenty to explore on the island, so I'd recommend setting aside at least 2-3 hours. You can spot deer wandering around, visit the Torii gate, and check out the Itsukushima shrine (we didn't get to go there due to timing). We also tried the local specialties - oysters and Momiji Manju (the place that serves it with ice cream is a must-try, especially on a hot summer day). Since we got round-trip tickets using our credit card, we had to catch the river cruise back. It gets pretty busy, especially during the last few ride times.

We were super close to Hondori shopping street when we got off the ferry. We decided to grab a quick dinner and checked out the shops before heading back to the ship. The tram that can take you back to the cruise ship is also nearby, so you can make the most of your time here. This island is famous for Okonomiyaki, but since we already had it in Osaka, we decided to go for some yakitori instead. If you do want to try Okonomiyaki, you'll find it everywhere, but the best-known spot is the Okonomi Mura building with lots of shops to choose from. Suigun seems to be a top-rated choice there. Don't forget to enjoy the amazing night view as your cruise ship sets sail from the dock! It's truly breathtaking! I really hope this One-Day Hiroshima tourism guide will help you plan your day at the port with ease!