What are the must do's and must see's in Hiroshima?

Welcome to Japan!

In Hiroshima, I like Miyajima Island.
http://www.miyajima.or.jp/miyakan2/index.html

You can reach there by train and ferry.
The island is very very near the mainland.
So it is very easy to get on the ferry.
(You don't need reservation. Just get on the ferry in front of you)

This island is famous for "Itsukushima Jinja" shrine. (Shintoism)
It has a huge red arch in the ocean.

I visited there about 2 years ago.
After that, I heard that a typhoon hit the island... and damaged some part.
I hope they have recovered.

Hope this helps :-)

Ayurin

Thank you for taking the time to suggest a place to visit. My husband and I are tavelling on a cruise ship which will be stopping at the following places including Hiroshima, Kyoto (Kobe), Okinawa amd then Ishigaki (Sakishima Islands). If you have any suggestions of places we must see it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you again Gai

Definitely go to the Peace Memorial and the Peace Museum. Very moving and informative.

Also visit the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Ayurin's suggestion of Miyajima is right on! You need to take the ferry there and it's a close train ride to the ferry from downtown Hiroshima. Miyajima is beautiful and home to Itsukushima Shrine (on many of the postcards you find of scenes from Japan). There are many deer on the island as well. There are vendors selling food for the deer that you can purchase so you can feed them. Be careful as they can get a bit aggressive. If you like hiking, there are some trails on the island as well.

Have a fun trip to Hiroshima! You can stay at Astor Plaza, cheap for foreigners. Check out my Hiroshima page for more information.

Thank you for the information.
Gai

Hi,

If you are on the cuise ship, you may not have enough time to go to Miyajima and back... I hope you can make it there!

In Hiroshima, visit the Peace park, Syukukeien Garden, and Hiroshima castle. Walk around the shopping street in Namiki-cho and Hacchobori area. Step inside any of the Pachinko shops to see how Japanese gamble! Try some Okonomiyaki, which is the famous Hiroshima dish.

Have fun in Japan!!

Motoko

Thank you for your reply.
Gai

Hi - Great info on Aster Plaza. I'll be there in April of '06. Do you know of any way to book a room there online? Or is calling the only way? Thanks!

If it's 1 day only, I'd suggest the peace park and Miyajima. Hopefully you'll have enough time to squeeze them both in.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.
Gai