How to do Hiroshima & Miyajima in One Day | 14-Day Japan Family Adventure

How to do Hiroshima & Miyajima in One Day | 14-Day Japan Family Adventure

[Music] Welcome to day six of our 14 days in Japan family holiday. And today we’re taking a trip to Hiroshima. And the key to making it work is leaving early. So we jumped on the bullet train from Aaka. Here’s a tip. Sit on the left side of the train. You’ll get an amazing water views along the way. unless you like the mountain views on the right. The ride itself is just over an hour, so it’s really easy to do this as a day trip. Once we arrived in Hiroshima, we transferred onto a JR local train heading to Miaima Guuchi Station. From there, it’s just a short walk to the ferry terminal that takes you over to Miaima Island. Best part, you can use your Pasmo card for both the train and the ferry. Just tap on and go. But saying that, make sure you bring cash before you get here. One, you may need to up your Pasmo limit. And two, a lot of shops and stores on Miaima still don’t accept cards, and you’ll want to try some of the local food. Here we are on the Miaima ferry. The ride only takes around 10 minutes, but it’s a perfect way to slow down for a moment and just enjoy the view. Head up to the top deck if you can. That’s where you’ll get the first clear look at the Tory gate as the island comes into sight. [Music] As you head along the waterfront, you’ll also see a statue of Tyra No Kiomorei, the samurai leader who helped build its Sukushima shrine. He’s remembered for making this island the spiritual and cultural place it is today. [Music] Along the waterfront, you’ll notice rows of stone lanterns called Toro. Traditionally, these were lit to guide visitors to the shrine and create a sacred atmosphere at night. Even unlit during the day, they add to the sense of history here and make for some really iconic photo spots. [Music] Just like Niaima has free roaming deer, but here they’re a little calmer, a little friendlier. The kids love being able to pat them as we walked along the shoreline. It’s such a special experience. [Laughter] [Music] [Music] As we walked along the shoreline, the tide was in and the famous Tory gate appeared to be floating gracefully out in the distance on the water. This is the approach to Its Shukushima Shrine, one of Japan’s most photographed and beloved sites. From from a distance, the bright Vermillion gate stands as a beacon welcoming travelers across the sea for centuries. Its Akisumeir shrine was first built in the 12th century and it is dedicated to the Shinto diet of the sea and storms. For generations, sailors, fishermen, they all prayed here for safe journey. In 1996, the shrine and its gate were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Not just for their beauty, but for the way they embody the deep connection between Japan, nature, and spirituality. There’s something almost dreamlike about this walk. The sound of waves lapping against the shore, the sight of the great Tory rising from the sea. It feels both pe both peaceful and powerful at the same time. For us, it was a moment to slow down, breathe, and take in Japan at a different rhythm. This was one of our favorite places in the whole trip. We loved Hiroshima and everything it had, and I wish I stayed another night. Every visitor experienced this place differently. Some come to pray, some come for the view, and others simply to feel the presence of something timeless. Whether in the calm of the morning or as the sun sets across the bay, its Sukushima shrine leaves an impression you’ll never forget. [Music] [Laughter] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] As you keep walking, you’ll pass through this stone Bory gate first guarded by a kameu lion dog statues you’ll see at many shrines in Japan. One has its mouth open the other closed. Together they represent the beginning and end of all things protecting the space inside with the water behind them. It’s such a powerful entrance to the sacred area. [Music] [Music] And there it is, the famous floating Tory gate. Seeing it rise out of the water for the first time really does stop you in your tracks. This is why coming in the morning is worth it. The crowds aren’t too heavy yet. The light is soft and you can soak it all in. Beautiful. [Music] This is its Kushima shrine, a UNESCO world heritage site. The bright red buildings stretch out over the water on stilts. So when the tide comes in, it looks like the whole shrine is floating. It’s dedicated to the Shinto gods of the sea, which is why the island has been a sacred place for centuries now. We never came here expecting to stay the whole day. There are gondlers and there’s beautiful accommodation on the island that everyone recommends. Our whole trip was just go experience. Um cuz we didn’t know if we’d ever get back. I’m so glad we did. It was worth part of our trip anyway and definitely want to go back. [Music] After seeing the toy gate, taking a heap of photos, and then looking at the temple, we decided we’d keep it simple and headed back. Just the highlights because we wanted time for Hiroshima itself. From here, we switched over to the World Heritage Sea Route Ferry. We bought the tickets on the day and were able to get tickets pretty easily. The ferry is honestly one of the best ways to arrive in Hiroshima. You glide along the water and slowly into the canals and the city just opens up in front of you. And it’s about another 40minute sort of boat ride which is a lot of fun for the kids and the family. If you can, like I said, book it in advance. It costs a little more than the local ferry, but the views are worth every yen, especially when you get to the next part. And there it is, the atomic dome. From the water, it really hits you. One of those moments where the whole ferry just goes quiet. Once we were off the boat, we made our way into the Peace Park and over to the dome. It’s very peaceful, but it’s heavy. You’re just sort of alarmed by just the catastrophic event that happened here. You can feel the history in the air, and it’s something you just don’t forget quickly when you first see it. [Music] So this building is not widely known as the atomic bomb dome. It was once the Hiroshima Prefectial Industrial Promotional Hall built in 1915. On August 6, 1945, the atomic bomb detonated almost directly overhead. The explosion instantly destroyed the city. Yet miraculously, parts of this building’s steel dome and walls remain standing. Rather than demolish it, Hashima decided to preserve the ruins as a stark reminder of the horrors of nuclear war. Today, the atomic bomb dome is UNESCO World Heritage site standing as a symbol of both tragedy and resilience. It’s a place where visitors from around the world come to reflect, to honor the tens of thousands of lives lost, and to the hope that such devastation is never repeated again. By the end of 1945, around 140,000 people had died from the immediate effects of the blast, burns, and radiation. In the years that follow, many thousands more suffered and died from radiation related illness. There’s no real number on how many have been affected. As you walk through the peace park, you’ll see stone memorials like this one inscribed to console the souls of those who died here. You’ll notice offerings of water bottles left by visitors. A moving reminder that so many victims of the bombings passed away desperately thirsty. Small details like this really bring the history into focus. [Music] This is the memorial. Moria Tower to the mobilized students. During the war, thousands of middle and high school students were sent to work on demolition projects and they never returned home. Many were here on the day of the bombing and they lost their lives. This tower honors their memory. And you’ll often see paper cranes and flowers left by visitors as a sign of respect. [Music] [Music] After walking through the peace park and seeing the memorials, we headed into the peace memorial museum itself. This is part of the trip that really stays with you. It’s powerful, confronting, and deeply moving. One of the first things you see is an interactive display, a large round table with a 3D map of Hiroshima. It shows the city as it was before the bombing and then the devastation after the atomic bomb was dropped back in 1945. Watching that transformation makes it real how an entire city could be reduced to ruins in a matter of seconds. [Music] Everyone just come to school. [Music] destroyed everything. From there, the museum takes you deeper into the stories of the people who live through it. It’s not just history and books. It’s personal, emotional, and heavy with a lot of graphic photos and graphic materials. And that’s why we made the choice, like many others, not to film inside out of respect for the victims and this space. This fountain is known as the fountain of prayer. It was built for the victims who died, calling out for water after the bombing. You’ll notice throughout the park that water is a reoccurring symbol. Visitors leave bottles and offerings, a way of bringing comfort to those memories. It really is a powerful reminder of the human side of this tragedy. [Music] This statue is known as the prayer for peace. It shows a mother holding a child staring on a golden crescent moon. It symbolizes the suffering families went through in Hiroshima, but also the hope that future generations will be safe from war and nuclear weapons. It’s one of the most moving monuments in the park. [Music] So this is the children’s peace monument inspired by Saddako Sasaki, a young girl who became sick from radiation after the bombing. Saddako folded over a thousand paper cranes hoping for recovery. And today her story has become a global symbol of peace. Surrounding the monument you’ll see thousands upon thousands of paper cranes sent from children and schools around the world. Every single one carries a wish for peace and together they make this one of the most moving parts of the whole entire park. The flame shown here is the peace flame in the center of Hiroshima’s peace memorial park. It was first lit in 1964 and it has burned continuously ever since. The flame represents the hope for a world without nuclear weapons. It is said that this flame will only be extinguished when the last nuclear weapon on Earth has been destroyed. Every visitor who sees it is reminded of both the devastation that began here and the universal desire for peace and safety for future generations. So once we explored the peace park, we hopped onto the Hiroshima Trans to get back to the main station. They’ve been running here since before the war and are such a classic part of the city. Unlike in Tokyo, Asaka, or even Miaima, your Pasmo card doesn’t work here. Well, it didn’t for us. Apparently, some of the newer trams, it does accept it at the time of this video. Anyway, you’ll need cash to pay the fair when you get off at your stop. It caught us out at first, but it’s good to know before you ride. It wasn’t an issue. We had cash, so we just did that. Back at the station, we had some ice cream and grabbed a quick dinner. It was a nice break before our ride back. We pre-booked our Shinkan for 6:30 that night, so seats were sorted. We headed back to Aaka. The bullet train really makes these long days trip possible, fast, smooth, and easy. [Music] Once we were back, we realized we needed to pack for day seven, and that meant more luggage for all of the souvenirs we’d collected. So, we headed to Donkey Hot or Donkey just 10 minutes from where we were staying. If you’ve never been, it’s the Wild Discount Mega Store that sells literally everything. Perfect for picking up an extra suitcase late at night. There’s a tip. And so, that’s a wrap for day six in Hiroshima. In our next episode, day seven, we head out to Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s most stunning castles, and then on to Nagoya, where we spend the evening at the Nagoya Basha, the city’s huge July Grand Sumo tournament. If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up, hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode, and let us know what you think in the comments. We’d love to hear from you. See you later.

In this episode of our Japan family adventure, we show you how to experience both Hiroshima and Miyajima Island in just one unforgettable day.

⛩️ Miyajima Island
We begin on Miyajima, walking the shoreline with the tide in to see the famous Itsukushima Shrine and its “floating” Torii Gate rising out of the water — one of Japan’s most iconic sights. Along the way we encounter free-roaming deer and explore the island’s unique atmosphere.

🕊️ Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Then we travel into Hiroshima to visit the Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome), preserved after the devastation of 1945. We reflect at the Children’s Peace Monument and the eternal Peace Flame, which has burned since 1964 until the last nuclear weapon on Earth is gone.

This day blends beauty, history, and reflection — and if you’re planning a trip, here’s exactly how you can see both locations in one day.

💡 Travel Guide & Tips

As we mentioned in the video, this itinerary doesn’t show everything — it’s designed to capture the main highlights of both Hiroshima and Miyajima in a single day.

If you have more time, staying overnight on Miyajima would let you explore deeper, such as hiking to the top of Mount Misen.

Here’s how our day went:
🚅 Departed Shin-Osaka at 6:00am
🚉 Arrived Hiroshima at 7:25am, then transferred to the local line for Miyajimaguchi Station
🕗 Arrived Miyajimaguchi at 8:06am
⛴️ Ferries run every 10 minutes — we arrived on Miyajima Island by 9:00am
🛥️ At 11:30am, we took the longer return route — the World Heritage Sea Route, which travels past the Torii Gate and directly to Hiroshima Peace Park.

You can check out the World Heritage Sea Route here:
🔗 https://www.aqua-net-h.co.jp/en/heritage/

⚠️ Tip: Check tide times before booking — the boat cannot operate at peak tide as it won’t fit under the bridges.

⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps

0:00 Intro – Day 6 Overview
0:36 Ferry Ride to Miyajima Island
1:33 Arrival at Miyajima Island
3:00 Free-Roaming Deer
3:49 Walking the Shoreline
7:47 First Views of the Floating Torii Gate
8:15 Exploring Itsukushima Shrine
9:22 Return to Hiroshima
10:06 Atomic Bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome)
15:14 Memorial Tower to the Mobilised Students
15:56 Hiroshima Peace Museum
16:10 Interactive 3D Map of the Atomic Bomb Blast
17:40 Fountain of Prayer
18:29 Statue of Prayer
19:15 Children’s Peace Monument
19:47 The Peace Flame
20:17 Hiroshima Trams Back to the Station
20:53 Shinkansen Back to Osaka
21:30 Packing for Day 7 – New Luggage Run
21:42 Outro – Preview of Day 7 (Himeji Castle, Nagoya & Sumo Tournament)

🇯🇵 Watch more of our 14-Day Japan Family Adventure here: • 14 Days in Japan with Kids (2025) – Family Vlog Playlist
👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to follow the journey!

🎥 Filming Equipment We Used
🎤 Hollyland Lark M2S Combo – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DNQ95N

📷 NEEWER 67mm Clip-On ND Lens – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0D3PVWK

📷 NEEWER Double Super Clamp Mount – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DTT623

🎥 Hohem iSteady M7 Gimbal – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DM9177