Hiroshima — Miyajima

Introduction to Hiroshima and Miyajima, the sacred island where temple pavilions float above the sea.

Duration: 9 hours (start at 9:00)
Price: On request
Departure: Departure and return to hotels in Okayama (departure and return from Hiroshima are also available)

Overview

A day dedicated to the history, culture, and spiritual traditions of Western Japan. Hiroshima—a city that has become a symbol of peace and renewal—and Miyajima, a sacred island where the scarlet pavilions of Itsukushima Shrine appear to float above the waters of the Seto Inland Sea. Visiting these two iconic places, you will touch the history, faith, and aesthetics that have shaped Japanese culture for centuries.

Just about 35 minutes by Shinkansen Green Car from Okayama, your journey begins in Hiroshima. First, you will visit Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome—a place that reminds the world of the value of human life and the importance of preserving peace. Next, you will head to Shukkeien, one of the region’s most beautiful gardens, created at the beginning of the Edo period. Its ponds, bridges, islets, and hills form a perfect miniature landscape, reflecting the traditional Japanese perception of nature.

After lunch, you will cross to Miyajima—a sacred island revered by the Japanese for over a thousand years. As you approach the shore, the famous scarlet torii gradually emerges from the sea, one of Japan’s most recognizable symbols. Founded more than 1,400 years ago, Itsukushima Shrine changes its appearance with the tides, creating a landscape that has inspired artists, poets, and pilgrims for centuries.

Ascending Mt. Misen by ropeway, you will see a panorama of countless Setouchi islands scattered across the tranquil waters of the Seto Inland Sea. Since ancient times, Misen has been considered a sacred mountain and the spiritual heart of the island, where nature and faith exist in inseparable unity.

The journey concludes with a stroll along Omotesando Street, where among old shops, artisan workshops, and local delicacies, the spirit of old Miyajima is still felt. This journey unites two dimensions of Japanese culture—memory and faith, history and eternity—allowing you to touch the spiritual heritage of Western Japan in a single day.

Route: Okayama Station → Hiroshima → Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome → Shukkeien → Lunch → Miyajima → Itsukushima Shrine → Mt. Misen Ropeway → Omotesando → Okayama Station

Key Features

Memorial Peace Park — A memorial park conveying the tragedy of the atomic bombing to the present generation. At its center stands the Atomic Bomb Dome—the only building near the epicenter to have retained its original appearance.
Atomic Bomb Dome — Completed in 1915, designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel. This World Heritage site bears the traces of the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945, and serves as a symbol of peace, preserved unchanged rather than restored.
Shukkeien — In 1620, the garden was designed by the tea ceremony master Ueda Soko. This stroll garden with a pond is adorned with bridges, tea pavilions, and artificial hills that still embody the aesthetic values of the Edo period.
Itsukushima Shrine — The sanctuary, founded in the 6th century, was relocated to its current site in 1168. During high tide, the gate appears to float above the sea; at low tide, visitors can approach the base of the gate, allowing them to enjoy the landscapes shaped by the tides.
Mount Misen (cable car) — A sacred mountain rising 535 meters, revered since ancient times. From the observatory, accessible by cable car, breathtaking views open onto the Seto Inland Sea and its islands; on clear days, the panorama stretches for dozens of kilometers.
Daishoin — One of the oldest temples of the Shingon school on Miyajima, founded in 806 by Kukai. Stone Buddhas, prayer wheels, moss-covered stone steps, and the path to the temple quietly preserve the atmosphere of medieval devotion.

Itinerary

Day 1 — A Journey in the Footsteps of Peace and Prayer

Departure 9:00 / Duration 9 hours

9:00 Departure from the hotel in Okayama. Shinkansen Green Car
Travel from the hotel to Okayama Station by private car with a personal driver. You will be escorted to the platform, where you will board the Green Car carriage to Hiroshima. In about 35 minutes, the scenery will change: the ancient fortress city of Bizen will give way to the City of Peace. Upon request, the tour may begin either from your hotel in Hiroshima or from Hiroshima Station.
10:00 Peace Park / Atomic Bomb Dome
Arrival at Hiroshima Station. The tour begins with private transportation and a personal guide. Immerse yourself in the history of Hiroshima—from tragedy to revival. From the opposite bank of the Motoyasu River, enjoy an impressive view of the Atomic Bomb Dome, now a symbol of remembrance and peace.
11:30 Shukkeien Garden
Strolling along the pond, you will see manicured hills and a teahouse reflecting the islands of Setouchi. Ancient trees that survived the atomic bombing still preserve the history of this garden.
12:30 Lunch
Enjoy lunch at a renowned Setouchi restaurant. Upon request, we can arrange Hiroshima oysters, seasonal kaiseki, Setouchi seafood, premium wagyu, and much more.
14:00 To Miyajima: The Grand Torii Gate
Transfer to the island by private boat. Approach the scarlet Great Torii Gates from the sea and enjoy the view away from the crowds.
14:30 Itsukushima Shrine
Walk through the corridors connecting the pavilions of the Itsukushima Shrine, as if floating above the sea’s surface. The changing tides create new landscapes here every day, while the history of the Taira no Kiyomori era is still felt in the architecture and atmosphere of this sacred place.
15:30 Misen Ropeway
Take the cable car to the sacred summit of Misen. From the observation deck, admire the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. On clear days, the view stretches for dozens of kilometers.
16:30 Omotesando shopping street
Before your return journey, take a stroll along the traditional shopping street. Enjoy local delicacies such as momiji manju, fried oysters, and Setouchi artisan crafts. Return to Hiroshima by private boat.
18:00 Return to Okayama
Travel from Hiroshima Station to Okayama by Shinkansen in a Green Car carriage. At Okayama Station, your private driver will meet you and escort you to your hotel.

Between Fire and Tide

Between fire and tide — Two moments preserved by Hiroshima

In Hiroshima, two streams of time intertwine.

The first is the time forever frozen at 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 1945. The Atomic Bomb Dome still preserves the memory of that moment. It was neither restored nor hidden from view—the city has consciously kept this trace of history as a reminder to future generations of the value of peace.

The second stream has flowed for over a thousand years. Twice a day, the tides of the Seto Inland Sea rise and fall along the shores of Miyajima, transforming the appearance of the famous Itsukushima Shrine. Since Taira-no-Kiyomori built it above the water in the 12th century, the sea has continued its eternal rhythm. At high tide, the shrine appears to float above the water’s surface; at low tide, you can walk right up to the base of the great torii.

Traces of these two eras meet in the Shukkeien Garden. Created in the 17th century as a miniature vision of the ideal Japanese landscape, it survived the atomic bombing and was restored. Among its trees, ginkgoes still grow—having withstood the blast, they have become symbols of rebirth and hope.

When the panorama of the Seto Inland Sea opens before you from the summit of Mount Misen, the uniqueness of this place becomes especially palpable. Here, memory and renewal, history and eternity, human destiny and the unchanging rhythm of nature coexist side by side.

A journey through Hiroshima and Miyajima is an opportunity to touch two dimensions of time: a memory that must never be forgotten, and a beauty that endures through the centuries.

Additional options

Private boat tour around Miyajima (view of the Great Torii from the sea)
Oyster tasting from Hiroshima (accompanied by sake)
Helicopter tour over Hiroshima Bay
Stay at a renowned ryokan on Miyajima (kaiseki cuisine and views of the Great Torii)
Hiroshima gastronomic experience with seasonal Setouchi ingredients

Practical Information

Start time / Duration: 9:00 / 9 hours
Included in the price: ・Car with a personal driver
・Accompaniment by a personal guide
・Shinkansen train tickets in Green Car class
・Entrance tickets

*Please note that meals and additional options are not included in the tour price.