Sadly, Hiroshima is best known as the location of the world’s first nuclear bombing. Its most poignant sites are the Genbaku Atomic Dome, Hiroshima Peace Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
Genbaku Atomic Dome at Hiroshima Peace Park
However, Hiroshima does have some other happier points of interest such as Hiroshima Castle, the Shukkeien Garden and Hiroshima Art Museum.
Hiroshima cityscape with Hiroshima castle in the middle
The city is also known for its unique style of savory okonomiyaki pancakes. These pancakes differ from Osaka-style okonomiyaki in both their ingredients and how they are made. Hiroshima style okonomiyaki ingredients are layered rather than mixed and are said to be healthier because they contain more cabbage.
Moreover, Hiroshima is an excellent base from which to travel to Miyajima Island (also known as Itsukushima) with its famous sea-front shrine and the giant torii gate, which at high tide is partially submerged in the sea.
“Floating” torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine
There are two ways to travel from Osaka to Hiroshima: by the shinkansen bullet train or by highway bus.
Osaka to Hiroshima By Shinkansen Train
Two shinkansen bullet trains at Shin-Osaka Station
You can take a bullet train on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station and the fare is 9,710 yen. Journey times vary according to the model of the train. The faster models like the Mizuho and the Nozomi take just 1 hour and 25 minutes. However, these models are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you should take slower models like the Sakura which takes 1 hour and 32 minutes, or the Hikari which takes 2 hours and 13 minutes.
By Bus
Regular daytime and overnight bus services run from Osaka to Hiroshima. The fare varies between 4,650 yen and 5,850 yen depending on the service. Daytime buses depart from Osaka Station’s JR Express Bus Terminal and take 5 hours to reach Hiroshima Station. There are two overnight services departing from Osaka Station’s JR Express Bus Terminal. The first departs at 23.00 and arrives at Hiroshima Station at 6.21 the next morning. The second departs at 23.30 and arrives at Hiroshima Station at 5.55 the next morning. You can check the most up-to-date times and make bookings at Kousokubus website or make bookings directly at the JR Expressway Bus Ticket Center on Osaka Station’s 1st Floor.
Article by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
