Hiroshima okonomiyaki is reason enough to linger in the city for an extra day — and the prefecture’s easy day trips make that extra day even better. Beyond the Peace Park and Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture stretches along the Seto Inland Sea, with hillside port towns and small islands reachable by local trains and ferries. This guide covers three things to add to your plans: a Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki dinner at Okonomimura, the temples and cat-filled lanes of Onomichi, and Okunoshima, the island famous for its free-roaming rabbits.
1. Okonomimura (Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki)
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is different from the Osaka version: instead of mixing everything into a batter, cooks build it in layers on a hot iron griddle — a thin crepe, a big mound of shredded cabbage, pork or seafood, a layer of fried noodles (soba or udon) and an egg — then finish it with a glossy, sweet-savory sauce. The best place to try it is Okonomimura in the Shintenchi district downtown, a building filled with small okonomiyaki counters spread over several floors, each run by a different shop. Grab a seat at the counter, watch your order come together, and eat it straight off the griddle with a small spatula. Some stalls have English menus and can handle vegetarian requests. Okonomimura is a three-minute walk from the Hatchobori streetcar stop. Look for the tall red-and-white sign; the entrance is via an elevator beside the front stairs. Weekend evenings are the busiest, so arrive a little early for dinner.
2. Onomichi
Onomichi is a nostalgic port town on the Seto Inland Sea, about an hour or so east of Hiroshima by JR, where houses, temples and narrow lanes climb a steep hillside above the water. Ride the Senkoji Ropeway up to Senkoji Park for sweeping views over the town, the channel and the islands, then walk down through the Temple Walk, a route that links many of the town’s historic temples. Senkoji Temple, near the top, is known for its giant boulders and views. Along the way, Cat Alley is a small lane decorated with painted stones and cat art, and you may meet a few real cats. At the bottom, try Onomichi ramen, a soy-based noodle soup topped with bits of pork back fat. Onomichi is also the starting point of the Shimanami Kaido, a scenic bridge-and-island cycling route of about 70 kilometers to Imabari on Shikoku; rental bikes make even a short ride onto the first island easy.
3. Okunoshima (Rabbit Island)
Okunoshima is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, part of Setonaikai National Park, that is home to hundreds of free-roaming rabbits — a surprisingly popular day trip for animal lovers. To get there, take the Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Mihara and then the JR Kure Line to Tadanoumi Station; from Tadanoumi Port, the ferry crossing takes about 15 minutes. Buy rabbit food (pellets) before you board, because the rules are strict: feed the rabbits only appropriate rabbit food, never human snacks, and do not pick them up or take them off the island. Beyond the rabbits, the island has quiet walking and cycling paths, beaches and a darker history: it was the site of a secret poison gas factory during World War II, and the small Poison Gas Museum explains that story. The island’s hotel, Kyukamura Ohkunoshima, offers lunch and overnight stays if you want to linger.
Where to Stay Near Hiroshima Station
Where to stay: Hiroshima StationHotel links in this section go to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
For day trips by train, Hiroshima Station is the most practical base: Shinkansen and JR local trains to Onomichi and Mihara leave from here, and the streetcar runs downtown to Okonomimura and the Peace Park.
Luxury
Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel is connected to the north side of Hiroshima Station, with spacious rooms and city views — ideal if you want to step off the Shinkansen and straight into your hotel.
Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel
Upscale hotel connected to Hiroshima Station.
Mid-Range
Hotel Granvia Hiroshima is a JR-affiliated hotel directly connected to Hiroshima Station, a reliable choice for early departures to Onomichi or Okunoshima.
Convenient hotel directly connected to the station.
Budget-Friendly
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima Station offers comfortable, good-value rooms a short walk from the station, close to the streetcar and plenty of casual restaurants.
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima Station
Good-value hotel a short walk from the station.
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Hotels in Hiroshima on Booking.com
A base near Hiroshima Station keeps early trains to Onomichi and Okunoshima easy, with okonomiyaki just a streetcar ride away.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Okonomiyaki portions are large; one per person is usually plenty, and sharing extra toppings is a good way to try more.
- Onomichi and Okunoshima are both east of Hiroshima on the same rail corridor, but each is best as its own day; trying both in one day means a lot of travel time.
- On Okunoshima, use only rabbit food bought before boarding, and never chase or lift the rabbits.
- Rent a bike in Onomichi if you want a taste of the Shimanami Kaido without committing to the full route.
- Ferry and local train schedules are limited, so check return times before you set out.
Getting there by train: Hiroshima is on the Sanyo Shinkansen; for Onomichi and Okunoshima you will combine the Shinkansen or JR local lines from Hiroshima Station. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it for your itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Hiroshima and Osaka okonomiyaki?
Osaka-style okonomiyaki mixes the ingredients into the batter, while Hiroshima-style is built in layers — crepe, cabbage, meat, noodles and egg — and always includes noodles.
How do I get to Okunoshima rabbit island from Hiroshima?
Take the Shinkansen to Mihara, transfer to the JR Kure Line to Tadanoumi Station, and walk to Tadanoumi Port for the roughly 15-minute ferry to Okunoshima.
Can you feed the rabbits on Okunoshima?
Yes, but only with proper rabbit food, which you should buy before boarding the ferry. Human food is not allowed, and visitors should not pick up the rabbits.
Is Onomichi worth a day trip from Hiroshima?
Yes. Onomichi combines hillside temples, harbor views, Cat Alley, local ramen and the start of the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, and it is easy to reach by train from Hiroshima.
