The ultimate guide to Setouchi: Hiroshima and Miyajima

The station-connected Hotel Granvia Hiroshima is set to get a further boost from the spring 2025 opening of sister property Hotel Granvia Hiroshima South Gate above Hiroshima Station.

Meipuru-pu bus from Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Entrance (north side), alight at Hiroshima Castle (6 mins)

The 16th-century original was levelled by the atomic bombing, but its contemporary reconstruction drives home what a formidable fortress Hiroshima Castle once was.

Meipuru-pu bus from Hiroshima Castle bus stop, alight at Peace Memorial Park (10 mins)

This essential museum makes the horrors experienced by Hiroshima’s A-bomb victims about as tangible as possible for present-day visitors. The iconic Atomic Bomb Dome is nearby.

Hiroshima Dentetsu No. 2 tram from Genbaku Dome-mae Station, alight at Tatemachi Station (5 mins)

Walk (3 mins)

A serving of Hiroshima-style soupless dan dan noodles won’t leave you weighed down – unless you do like the locals and dunk a bowl of rice into the leftover chilli sauce.

Walk (5 mins)

Speciality coffee masters Obscura’s Hondori café stands out with its earthy, African-inspired colours and mingei tableware, which is available to buy.

Walk (10 mins)

Seek out the calming and contemporary rooftop observation deck for sweeping views of the city before examining the ground-floor souvenir shop.

Walk (4 mins)

Hiroshima Dentetsu No. 6 tram from Kamiyacho-Nishi Station to Hiroshima Station (16 mins)

Hiroshima oysters are prized for their rich taste – a property you can appreciate to your stomach’s content here. The delicacies are available both raw and cooked.

JR Sanyo Line train from Hiroshima Station, alight at Miyajimaguchi Station (27 mins)

Walk (3 mins)

JR Miyajima Ferry from Miyajimaguchi pier to Miyajima (10 mins)

A bustling street lined with traditional-style shops hawking a dizzying variety of local eats and treats. Try the maple-leaf-shaped momiji manju cakes.

There’s plenty of local flavour in the décor at Miyajima’s Starbucks. One artwork highlights shamoji paddles used to serve and stir rice, which were invented on the island.

Itsukushima Shrine and its bright red torii seem to float on the water at high tide, while at low tide you can walk right up to the iconic gate.

Walk (5 mins)

Pair the no-frills homemade curry and local beer with picture-perfect views of the Itsukushima torii, visible beyond a grove of pines.

Walk (5 mins)

Ingenious displays recreating elements of Miyajima’s marine ecosystem let you peek under the water surrounding the island.

Walk (25 mins)

JR Miyajima Ferry from Miyajima to Miyajimaguchi pier (10 mins)

Furikake is having a moment in the culinary world. Get your fix straight from the company that invented the umami-packed seasoning blend way back in 1904.

Walk (3 mins)

JR Sanyo Line train from Miyajimaguchi Station, alight at Shin-Hakushima Station (25 mins)

Astram Line tram from Shin-Hakushima Station, alight at Hondori Station (4 mins)

Walk (3 mins)

Demons, samurai heroes and fearsome monsters take the stage here every Wednesday night at 7pm from April to December for subtitled showings of Japan’s oldest performing art.

Walk (10 mins)

Taste Hiroshima’s soul food with a side of local banter at this rambunctious three-storey establishment that consists entirely of okonomiyaki stands.