Hiroshima Deep Dive: 3 Days Exploring Rabbit Island, Onomichi, Kure, and More!

Getting to Hiroshima Prefecture

From Osaka

Bullet Train: Take the Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station, and you'll arrive at Hiroshima Station in around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

From Tokyo

Bullet Train: Take the Nozomi service on the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Hiroshima Station. The total trip time is roughly 4 hours.

Airplane: A flight from Tokyo Haneda Airport will get you to Hiroshima Airport in about 1.5 hrs. From there, you can catch the Hiroshima Airport Limousine Bus to JR Hiroshima Station (approx. 50 mins). You can also book a rental car to pick up at the airport.

From Fukuoka

Bullet Train: From Hakata Station, take the San-yo Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station (approx. 1 hr).

Tip: Check out our Hiroshima classic itinerary for a Miyajima sightseeing itinerary.

Day 1: Touring Hiroshima City's Main Attractions

Visit the Poignant Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park

Bearing witness to the history of World War II, the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park are must-see spots in Hiroshima City. The Atomic Bomb Dome was originally built as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, featuring a striking European design by a Czech architect. Completed in 1915, the building suffered extensive damage during the atomic bombing. However, the dome-shaped steel frame and some walls remained standing, leading to its designation as a World Heritage Site and its preservation as a powerful landmark.

Right by the Atomic Bomb Dome is the lush green Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Within the park, you'll find facilities like the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb. Through historical exhibits, artifacts of the victims, and photographs, you can learn about the impact of nuclear weapons on humanity and the importance of world peace.

Take in the Hiroshima Cityscape from Orizuru Tower

If you’re feeling upset from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, take a break next door at Hiroshima's new landmark, Orizuru Tower. This high-rise contains a gift shop on the first floor called SOUVENIR SELECT Hito to Ki, where you’ll find a variety of popular Hiroshima souvenirs. You can also opt for lunch here at Akushu Cafe ORGANIC or the famous Okonomiyaki Micchan Sohonten, both on the same floor.

After shopping, unwind on the 12th floor at Orizuru Plaza, then head up to the spacious rooftop observatory HIROSHIMA HILLS for sweeping views over the park and surroundings. On a clear day, you can even spot Mount Misen on Miyajima Island in the distance, making for a truly stunning vista.

Lunch: Enjoy Hiroshima's Famous Hiroshima-yaki

Hiroshima-yaki is Hiroshima’s local take on Japan’s beloved “okonomiyaki” savory pancake. While it might look similar to Osaka-style okonomiyaki, there's a key difference in how it's made. Unlike Osaka okonomiyaki, where the ingredients are all mixed together, Hiroshima-yaki is all about layering. Fresh vegetables are layered with batter, then meat or seafood, and finished with an egg and special sauce to create a flavor-packed pancake. Hiroshima-yaki also includes noodles in the mix, which are rare in Osaka okonomiyaki restaurants.

Hiroshima-yaki joints are scattered all throughout Hiroshima City, including long-established favorites like “Rei-chan,” “Micchan,” “Hasshou,” and “Denkou Sekka.” You'll also find a selection in Hiroshima Station and Okonomimura (Okonomiyaki Village). For a hands-on experience, okonomiyaki cooking classes let you make and eat your own original okonomiyaki. These interactive dining experiences are a fantastic way to dive into Hiroshima's food culture while having a blast.

Explore Hiroshima's Sake Breweries Along Saijo Sake Brewery Street

Saijo is renowned as one of Japan's three major sake-producing regions. The streets are lined with traditional “kura” storehouses with white walls and “namako-kabe” (sea cucumber) patterns, creating an old world atmosphere. While blessed with high-quality water and top-notch rice, this area had to overcome the challenges of using “soft water” by developing unique brewing techniques, leading to the creation of smooth, easy-to-drink sake now enjoyed all throughout Japan.

Nowadays, Saijo Sake Brewery Street is home to seven famous sake breweries, including Kamotsuru, Kamoizumi, Hakubotan, Fukubijin, and Saijotsuru. Visitors can tour the breweries, enjoy sake tastings, shop for souvenirs, or unwind at unique cafes housed in renovated buildings.

Hotel: Nipponia Hotel Takehara Saltworks Town

In the evening, travel to the Takehara Townscape Preservation District to spend the night at Nipponia Hotel Takehara Saltworks Town, a unique accommodation housed in renovated residences. This decentralized hotel consists of four historic buildings with 10 guest rooms. Among them are rooms converted from former warehouses, where the old world atmosphere is seamlessly blended with modern aesthetics and facilities.

For meals, Chef Shu Ishii—who previously worked at a high-end restaurant in Switzerland—crafts exquisite dishes using fresh ingredients from the Setouchi Inland Sea. The hotel also offers a sake pairing service for an enhanced culinary experience.

Day 2: The Historic City of Takehara, Rabbit Island, and the Port Town of Onomichi

Stroll Through the Takehara Townscape Conservation Area, the "Little Kyoto of Hiroshima"

The Takehara Townscape Conservation Area was once an important center for salt and sake production in Japan. The streets are lined with traditional wooden buildings that have stood the test of time, a living museum of the Edo Period. Before setting out for the day, we recommend getting up early for a morning stroll through the townscape.

Highlights include the Taketsuru Sake Brewery, which transitioned from salt production to sake brewing, along with the grand residences of wealthy merchants who thrived in the salt and sake industries, charming stone-paved streets, and historic temples.

Encounter Adorable Wild Bunnies on Rabbit Island

Next, take a ferry to the nearby Okunoshima Island, known as “Rabbit Island.” This small island is home to hundreds of adorable rabbits, and you can buy rabbit food to feed and interact with them.

Okunoshima Island also has a dark history, containing the remains of a former military base that produced poison gas, and those interested can learn more at the island's museum. For lunch, USANCHU Cafe serves light meals, coffee, and desserts. We recommend the Takehara Burger, made from Takehara Togeshita beef, or the local speciality “tako-ten” (octopus tempura), Takehara curry, and the “Rabbit Nose Soft Serve Ice Cream” for dessert.

Take the Ropeway to Senko-ji Temple for Stunning Views of Onomichi

After returning to Tadano-Umi, continue on to Onomichi, a hilly portside city further up the coastline. After arriving, take the ropeway up to Senko-ji Temple for a panoramic view of Onomichi's beautiful cityscape from the mountaintop. If you’re lucky enough to visit in the right week during spring, 1,500 cherry blossoms will make the scenery even more spectacular.

Senko-ji Temple itself is also fascinating, boasting 1,200 years of history and still deeply revered by locals. The vermilion-lacquered main hall, also known as “Akado” (Red Hall), presents a striking contrast against the blue sky and sea. In spring, the temple is illuminated at night for a limited time.

Meet Adorable Cats on Neko no Hosomichi (Cat Alley)

Near Onomichi's Ushitora Shrine and the Tenneiji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda is a narrow 200-meter-long alleyway known as “Neko no Hosomichi” (Cat Alley). It's a must-visit spot for cat lovers and one of Onomichi's hidden gems. As you wander the alley, keep an eye out for the resident cats lounging about, and be sure to pop into the unique little shops and art spaces along the way. Charming cat-themed motifs decorate every nook and cranny, from the tiled pathways to the stone walls, making for a fun-filled stroll.

Hotel: LOG

While descending the slopes of Senko-ji Temple, you'll find the uniquely designed Japanese-style inn LOG (The Lantern Onomichi Garden) nestled on the hillside. This accommodation, renovated from a Showa-era apartment building, aims to give guests a taste of the peaceful life of Onomichi residents.

This serene inn was designed by Bijoy Jain of STUDIO MUMBAI, an architecture firm from Mumbai, India. Its simple and cozy spaces are filled with the warmth of wood, and the six Japanese-style guestrooms use “washi” paper to create a cozy cocoon-like atmosphere. Breakfast is a delightful lineup of fresh local fruits and vegetables, which you can enjoy while gazing at the nature-rich scenery.

Day 3: From Retro Onomichi to the Former Naval Port of Kure

Stroll Down the Charming Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street

Near the recently renovated Onomichi Station stretches the Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street. Brimming with old-fashioned charm, this 1.2-kilometer-long arcade is lined by about 400 local shops showcasing the jovial vibe of the town, complete with streetcars running nearby.

Popular stores on Onomichi Hondori include the handmade jam shop “Creative Fruit Jam Studio,” Onomichi's most famous bakery “Pan-ya Koro,” the “Yamato-yu (Yu-yu)” cafe renovated from an old public bathhouse, the canvas product shop “Kobo Onomichi Hanpu,” and “Onomichi Roman Coffee,” a must-visit for coffee lovers. There are also several restaurants specializing in the beloved “Onomichi Ramen,” so you can also have lunch here if you prefer.

Lunch: Kure Navy Curry

If you resist the temptation to eat on Onomichi Hondori (or just have a big appetite from your travels), we recommend traveling to Kure for a plate of Kure Navy Curry. In the past, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) served curry for lunch on Fridays, and each base and vessel had its own one-of-a-kind recipe. Kure Navy Curry is based on recipes passed down directly from chefs of the JMSDF Kure base vessels, giving it a special flavor certified as authentic by multiple captains. There are many restaurants in Kure that serve this curry, and the taste and preparation methods vary. So, even if you’ve tried it before, it’s worth having it again at a different joint to see the difference.

Kure Bay Naval Cruise and Yamato Museum

Kure City was once an important shipbuilding base for the Japanese Navy, and a visit to its historical naval port is an essential stop for history buffs. The best way to explore the port is on the Kure Bay Naval Cruise, where you’ll see shipyards and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels up close on a boat. If possible, we recommend making a reservation in advance on the official website to secure your seat (Japanese website only).

Near Kure Port is also the Yamato Museum, where you can learn about the history of shipbuilding in Kure and view a model of the Yamato, the largest battleship of World War II. It is currently closed for renovations but is scheduled to reopen by the end of March 2026. During the closure, exhibits are being held at the Yamato Museum Satellite (location: Viewport Kure Kure Kaiin Kaikan).

See a Real Submarine at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure Museum

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure Museum, also known as the “Iron Whale Museum,” was the first museum in Japan to exhibit an actual submarine, the “Akishio,” on land. You can tour the interior of this submarine, learn about the history of Kure and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and more.

See Submarines and Destroyers Up Close at Alley Karasukojima Park

Located in Kure’s Showacho district, Alley Karasukojima is the only park in Japan where you can see submarines up close. From the park, you’ll be able to spot Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarines and destroyers moored on the sea. This park was originally built in 1895 by the former Japanese Navy as a breakwater, and because it escaped torpedo attacks during the war, it was preserved as a memorial. In addition to the submarines and destroyers, it’s a great vantage point for a lookout over the harbor and red brick warehouses, making it an ideal spot for photography!

More Panoramic Views of Kure’s Naval Port from the History Viewing Hill

If you still haven't had enough of the naval port, head up to the observatory in History Viewing Hill Park and enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Kure City's Mitarai area and the surrounding shorelines. It's also a wonderful place to immerse yourself in history, with relics like the remains of a dock used to build the Yamato, a monument made from bricks used to construct the dock, and a poetry monument by Masaoka Shiki, a giant of Japanese literature.

Gourmet Delights at the Lively Kuramoto-dori Street Food Stalls

After uncovering the dynamic scenery of Kure, it's time for some gourmet delights! A 10-minute walk from Kure Station is the Kuramoto-dori Street Food Stalls, where locals gather at night to dine and socialize.

Here you can munch on a wealth of regional favorites, like oden, Kure's specialty yellowtail fish, curry rice, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, teppanyaki, yakitori, “momiji manju” (maple leaf-shaped cakes), oxtail soup ramen, and yakisoba. There’s also plenty of sake, in case you want to sample some more local brews before leaving.

Discovering Underrated Hiroshima in 3 Days

Hiroshima’s iconic sights like Miyajima and the Peace Memorial Park are must-visits, but it’s also well worth carving out time in your itinerary to explore hidden gems like Okunoshima Island, Takehara, Onomichi, Kure, and more. Even if you’ve visited Hiroshima before, returning to discover these often-overlooked destinations will give you a deeper appreciation for everything this diverse region has to offer.

Top image: Booking.com