3 BEST Hiroshima Tours from Osaka
Taking a day trip to Hiroshima is a popular thing to do from Osaka, and given the city’s history, a guided tour is most definitely the way to go.
We were keen to learn as much as possible when we visited Hiroshima, and having a guide made our visit so much easier, too.
For most people, Hiroshima is a place you only visit once, so it’s important to pick the right tour. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up our top 3 Hiroshima tours from Osaka to ensure you get the best experience.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
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Our favorite experience is this private tour to Hiroshima. It includes bullet train tickets and a private guide with time to explore both Hiroshima in-depth and the beautiful Miyajima Island.
Book this tour here and read positive reviews from other travelers.
Tip: Book online as soon as you can as this is a popular tour that can fill up.
1. Private Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Tour from Osaka
- Price: $355 – $556 USD per person
- Duration: 12 hours
- Time: 7 am
- Highlights: Visit Miyajima Island, spot and see the Itsukushima Shrine, explore Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
- Inclusions: Bullet train tickets, private guide, ferry to Miyajima Island, admission to Itsukushima Shrine and Hiroshima Museum
- Rating: 5 stars (check reviews here)
- Free cancellation: No
We had an incredible time on this private day tour of Hiroshima, and think it’s THE best way to get the most out of your visit.
We got to take one of Japan’s famous bullet trains to Hiroshima, and then enjoyed a ferry ride to Miyajima, aka Shrine Island. The shrine here is built over water, and the floating gate here was easily one of the most beautiful we have seen in Japan. And as if that weren’t enough, we also spotted lots of deer and raccoon dogs!
We had some free time for lunch in Miyajima, and then it was onto Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Exploring the park was certainly a very eerie experience, especially seeing the burnt shadows and the Atomic Bomb Dome. We already knew the basics of the Hiroshima bombing, but our guide, Kaoru, taught us so much.
Karou also took us around the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, where we saw a collection of artifacts from the bombing.
Of course, visiting Hiroshima is a very poignant experience, so I can’t exactly say that we had a “fun” day, but we did really enjoy this tour. Although it seems pricey at first, the cost includes bullet train tickets. These are always quite expensive, but the bullet train is by far the fastest way to get to Hiroshima from Osaka, and so it gave us so much more time to explore than we would have had traveling by bus.
The price per person also gets a lot cheaper if you have 4 or more people in your group! It’s a great choice for groups and families, but we went just the two of us and still thought that it was 100% worth the money.
Book this private tour here and you can choose to pay later
2. Shared Day Tour to Hiroshima and Miyajima from Osaka
- Price: $159 USD (starting in Hiroshima) or $396 USD (with all transport from Osaka)
- Duration: 8 – 13 hours
- Time: 7:40 am
- Highlights: Scenic ferry ride to Miyajima, guided tour of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, visit the Hiroshima Museum
- Inclusions: Bus and ferry transport, guide, Itsukushima Shrine entry fee, Hiroshima Museum admission
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 220+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
We think that this well-organized tour is ideal for solo travelers or couples!
It’s a group tour, so it’s more budget friendly than a private option. We also like that it offers flexibility in terms of your mode of transport, as you can either book the tour from Osaka or start in Hiroshima and arrange your own bullet train tickets. You can tailor it to suit your needs and budget!
The tour visits Miyajima Island via a scenic ferry ride to see the iconic red tori gate floating above the water. We absolutely loved seeing this shrine, and we like the fact that the tour leaves free time for lunch in the area. It’s known for oysters and okonomiyaki – aka savory pancakes – so why not take advantage?
Of course, the highlight of the tour is the guided visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. It’s a pretty haunting place to see, but a real must-do while you’re in Japan. And after that, you’ll head to Hiroshima Museum to see artifacts recovered from the site of the attack, as well as media displays conveying the importance of peace.
This tour is very welcoming and makes it so easy to visit Hiroshima in just one day. The itinerary hits all of the highlights, gives a comprehensive overview of Hiroshima’s sad but powerful history, and ensures that you don’t miss out on any must-see sights.
Book this tour here and get FREE cancellation!
Related Read: Looking to see the best of Osaka before your day trip? Our list of the 10 best things to do in Osaka covers all the highlights!
3. Shared Hiroshima and Miyajima Tour with Lunch and Bullet Train Tickets
- Price: $287 USD
- Duration: 12 hours
- Time: 7:50 am
- Highlights: Comprehensive tour of Hiroshima including Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Miyajima Pier to get closest to Great Torii gate, authentic Hiroshima-style lunch, free time at Miyajima Omotesandō Shopping Street
- Inclusions: Round trip bullet train tickets, train station assistant, English-speaking tour guide, bus transport around Hiroshima, Miyajima ferry ride, Hiroshima Peace Museum entry, lunch, Itsukushima Shrine entry
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Budget travelers, this one’s for you! This all-inclusive group tour to Hiroshima offers fantastic value for money, and everything is organized for you – even lunch. It delivers a lot of bang for your buck, and makes it easy to visit Hiroshima from Osaka in just one day.
For starters, there will be a designated assistant who’ll meet you at Shin-Osaka station and ensure that you catch the right train. It’s a big station, so I think that it’s very handy having someone to show you where your platform is!
Then, you’ll meet your guide in Hiroshima, ready to visit the Peace Memorial Park, the famous atomic bomb dome, and the museum. After that, it’s time for lunch, which is the local speciality: okonomiyaki pancakes with pork, bean sprouts, and noodles. Trust me, these are soooo delicious, and a must-try while you’re in the region.
After lunch, it’s all aboard the bus to head to Miyajima, where there’s about an hour of free time to explore the bustling Omotesando shopping street. Then, it’s time for a scenic cruise around the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine!
Most organized tours visit Miyajima first, but I really like that this tour heads to Miyajima after Hiroshima. Visiting Hiroshima can be pretty heavy, so it’s nice to do that first and then enjoy more light-hearted activities in the afternoon.
I think this tour delivers fantastic value for money, and is the ideal option for anyone looking to join a group tour. The tour often sells out so I would recommend booking in advance.
Reserve your spot here before the tour fills up!
Where to Stay in Osaka
Osaka is a huge city, so you can find the perfect place to stay whether you want to be right in the action or in a quieter neighborhood. To help narrow down your options, I’ve found three excellent hotels for those looking for a luxury, mid-range, or budget stay.
Luxury – $$$
The Westin Osaka is a fantastic option for luxury travelers. The rooms are large, offer city views, and are upscale and modern. There is even an indoor pool, four restaurants, and an acupuncture salon onsite. The hotel is located near the Umeda Sky Building, so it’s in a great location!
Prices start around $220 USD per night and can be booked in advance online.
Mid-range – $$
Hotel Resol Trinity Osaka is located in the heart of Osaka, within walking distance to the most popular shrines, restaurants, and things to do. The decor is cozy and comfortable, but still upscale and quite a lavish stay at a moderate price point! They offer twin, double, or queen rooms and the staff is friendly and attentive.
Rooms range from about $130 to $250 USD depending on the time of year and room. Check availability and book this stay here.
Budget – $
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly accomodation, the Hotel Vine Osaka Kitahama is a clean and comfortable choice! Located near the train line and some beautiful temples, you can easily explore Osaka from this stay. They have a range of rooms available, from twins all the way up to family rooms.
Prices start around $50 USD and can be booked on Booking.com.
For more options, check out all of the hotels in Osaka here!
Thanks for reading!
Hiroshima is a city you won’t forget visiting and it’s worth planning a day trip if you’re based in Osaka for a bit. These tours make it easy to see Hiroshima and ensure your visit is well-planned and no time is wasted. I hope you found the right tour for your trip.
Whether you’re new to exploring Japan or just looking for some new things to do, we’ve got you covered! Check out all our blogs on Japan here for more tips and ideas of the best things this amazing country has to offer.
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