Visiting Hiroshima: More Than Just a Day Trip

Hiroshima is more than one moment in history.

On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb rained devastating destruction on the city—immediately killing an estimated 80,000 civilians and condemning many more to a bleak future. Clearly, a tragedy of that magnitude is going to leave a long-lasting legacy and deep scars. It's how many define Hiroshima.

For this reason, most visitors only come for a single-day excursion from nearby Osaka or Kyoto, to learn more about the history and visit some of the poignant reminders that remain spread across the city.

Yet, Hiroshima has slowly built a character that, while acknowledging and embracing this aspect of its past, extends far beyond it and makes it worthy of more than just a day trip.

Incredible Food

The cuisine in Hiroshima is dominated by two dishes - Okonomiyaki and Oysters.

Okonomiyaki, reputed to have been invented here in the 1940's, is a slightly crazy dish traditionally consisting of a pancake covered in vast amounts of shredded cabbage layered with thinly sliced pork and topped off with noodles and covered in various sauces.

It's a very theatrical dish, as many of the joints that serve it have a hot plate that serves as both kitchen and table. The chef stands on one side and whips up your dish before sliding it across for you to eat.

 

Oysters are farmed locally in Hiroshima Bay, and while you will find them on sale all year round, they're best when in season from October through March. They serve them in as many ways as you can dream up, ranging from completely raw to coated in a crispy tempura batter and everything in between.

There is also an abundance of high-end restaurants in Hiroshima with many gaining Michelin accolades, including Nakashima which has been awarded the coveted three stars.

Buzzing Nightlife

The nightlife here is largely focused in an area labeled "the drinking district," and it lives up to its name.

This bustling district is filled with people come nightfall and you'll find quirky bars to suit all tastes. The traditional place for an after-work drink is an Izakaya, where you can enjoy both some Japanese bar food and beer, or share a bottle of sake.

 

Less-traditional spots are where the younger crowd hang out, and you can enjoy cocktails on a rooftop bar, craft beer or even a high-quality Japanese whiskey.

There are a number of after-hours clubs if you're looking to make the night last a bit longer. Wherever you go, you'll inevitably end up in conversation with some friendly locals eager to practice their English language skills and find out more about you.

Stunning Hiking

Hiroshima doesn't have any of the huge mountains that other parts of Japan are famous for, but its landscape is made up of lots of smaller ones that make for easy, enjoyable hiking. From the summits, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views across the entire city and, on a clear day, the many islands that litter the bay. GetHiroshima is a fantastic, comprehensive resource for everything you need to know about the city and they have many foolproof step-by-step hiking guides to prevent you from getting lost.

Baseball Fanatics

To say that baseball is the national sport here is a bit of an understatement: It's a national obsession. Local team Hiroshima Carp is renowned for its fanatical support and widely regarded to have the loudest and wildest atmosphere in the league.

Getting tickets to watch baseball in Japan is both cheap and easy, even if you're not a sports fan, it's a great and exciting way to spend an evening. If you are a fan, you might even recognize some of the names as many ex-MLB players ply their trade here including the Carp's starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, formerly of the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.

If you're planning a visit to Hiroshima, try and make time to spend more than one day there. Reflect on the city's overwhelming history, but make sure you allow yourself to embrace its present.