TWO DAYS IN HIROSHIMA

$ Convenience Store: Hiroshima, like every city in Japan, has more than its fair share of convenience stores. The stores, are affectionately as “Conbini’s” and there are three major chains: Lawson, 7-11 and FamilyMart. These are inexpensive stores where you can pick up fresh sandwiches, fruit, pastries, and enough canned coffee to energize a small army! And if the variety of breakfast foods on offer isn’t enough to keep you going throughout the day, convenience stores have an array of sweets and chocolates to stock up on, too. They offer a great boost to pick you back up following a morning of exploration!

If you’re feeling adventurous at the conbini, you could try the strawberry sandwich, a seasonal treat only available between January and April. Another recommendation is the omnipresent onigiri, or rice ball. Onigiri comprises an outer seaweed wrapper encasing a handful of rice and a delicious filling. Most onigiri only cost between 100 and 250 yen, which is about the equivalent of $0.89 – $2.24 (US), or £0.70 – £1.73 (UK). They’re a tasty, hearty snack with a variety of flavors. Conveniently, these stores are often open 24 hours a day, so you’ll be able to find a satiating snack at any time of day!

$$ Hiroshima Andersen

2-2, 2-chōme, Kamiyachō, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, 730-0031

Located in an historic building that survived the atomic bombing, Andersen is an excellent choice for a centrally-located breakfast or brunch. Their bread bar serves a wide range of breads with jams, jellies and other condiments to accompany them. Breakfast is served daily between 7:30am and 10am, while brunch is served at weekends from 9am to 11am.

$$ Café Fusha Aqa Hiroshima Bus Centre-Gai

6-27, Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, 730-0011

Café Fusha has been making thick Japanese-style pancakes since the 1960s and, to this day, still make their speciality over a teppan stove. This method of cooking gives the pancakes a crispy exterior and a deliciously moist centre. What could be better than filling yourself up on fluffy pancakes before a day of exploration?
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Admission: Free

Typical length of visit: 30 mins

Located north of the park, across a bridge, is the famous Atomic Bomb Dome. Designed in 1915, the dome was originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall before it was severely damaged by the atomic blast. Although damaged, the building was not completely destroyed. The shell of the building is now a memorial of the tragic event.

In 1996, the dome was declared a World Heritage Site and has been a world-famous attraction ever since. Every year on August 6th, a memorial service takes place to commemorate those who died in the bombing. On the same evening, locals light lanterns that float along the park’s river. It’s a haunting and moving sight to behold if you happen to be visiting on August 6th.

$$ Okonomi-mura

Address: 5-13, Sintenchi, Naka-Ku, Hiroshima, 730-0034

Hiroshima specializes in seafood and the dish, okonomi-yaki (pancakes with seafood and vegetables) are a must-try food in the city! So after a long day of sightseeing, it’s time to treat yourself to something tasty. Okonomi-mura is a food complex comprising of 25 okonomi-yaki restaurants, each serving a slightly different style of ingredients.

To get going early on this adventure-packed day, we recommend a quick conbini breakfast to kick off your morning. We’re off to the seas! In 1643, Hayashi Gahō deemed Miyajima as one of Three Views of Japan. Today, Miyajima is still considered one of the most beautiful places in Hiroshima, with gorgeous scenery and a rich history of exquisite Japanese architecture.

To reach the ferry port, take the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (25 mins and 410 yen for a one-way trip). From Miyajimaguchi Station, it’s only a short walk to the ferry pier where ferries leave for Miyajima. The ferries come often, so there’s no need to rush to make the connection! There are two competing ferry companies who’ll take you across the water – JR and Matsudai. Both ferries take 10 minutes and both cost 180 yen for a one-way trip.

Alternatively, boats connect Miyajima with Hiroshima Peace Park. The trip takes 45 minutes in total and costs either 2000 yen for a single trip or 3600 yen for a roundtrip. Miyajima is a large island but its most popular attractions are located in two main areas: the town around the Itsukushima Shrine and Mount Misen.

Admission: 300 yen (500 yen including treasury)

Opening hours: March – October 14th open daily 6:30am-6pm. October 15th-Nov open daily 6:30am-5:30pm. December open daily 6:30am-5pm. January-February open daily 6:30am-17:30pm).

Take a step back in time to the Edo Period as you walk to the Itsukushima Shrine. Feast your eyes on the incredible torii gate floating on the water (during high tide). This is the gate of separation between the normal and the sacred. Created by Saeki Kuramoto in 593, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times.