Hiroshima
City - Hilton Hiroshima - Miyashima
Shinkansen to Hiroshima
We took the Shinkansen from Nara to Hiroshima, with a stopover in Osaka. We bought the tickets at the JR Ticket Center in Nara, as we wanted to make sure to have reserved seats and enough space for the luggage and the stroller. You can also buy the tickets at a vending machine. Also make sure to buy one of the many offered fantastic bentos and green tea at the train station - oishii. The trip was quite fast and our toddler enjoyed the time greeting the other passengers travelling with us.
Peace Through Little Eyes: Visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Our next stop was Hiroshima, a city that holds one of the heaviest chapters in modern history. We knew it would be an emotional visit - but it was far more touching being there and remembering what happened here. We visited the A-Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum. The space felt sacred as we walked along the paths, and saw the children’s peace statues and many more. Inside the Peace Memorial Museum, I felt overwhelmed seeing the exhibits, especially burnt belongings of victims and little children who died on August 6, 1945. The silent atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by our toddler who started screaming. It was so heart-wrenching, and the atmosphere turned even more intense. I took him and ran out with him. I had the feeling of grief echoing through generations.
When Grief Echoes Through Generations
It was so sad to know that children like mine were in this city too, playing and laughing, but never got the chance to grow up. Visiting Hiroshima with a toddler might not seem easy or obvious, but it reminded me how grief, remembrance, and hope are not just adult emotions. They live in us all — even the smallest among us. And maybe his tears were just one more way the memory lives on. We left that day carrying more than we expected: sadness, yes, but also a renewed commitment to peace, and a deeper gratitude for every day we get to watch our child grow.
Hiroshima City - Kaki and Okonomiyaki
We visited the Hiroshima Hondori Shopping Street with many shops and restaurants. We even found a karaoke play centre for children, very cute. The food in Hiroshima, like everywhere in Japan, is outstanding. Hiroshima is famous for Kaki (Oysters) and its famous Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki.
We went to the okonomi Nagata-ya at the Hondori Shopping Street. The Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is a layered masterpiece of batter, shredded cabbage, soba, and additional toppings like fried eggs, scallions, etc., and even Hiroshima Kaki. Unlike the Osaka-style version, which is mostly common in most okonomiyaki places in Japan and mixes all of the ingredients into a thick better. Nevertheless, both versions of okonomiyaki are very delicious. Luckily, our toddler fell asleep during our okonomiyaki lunch, and we enjoyed this wonderful dish. Otherwise, we would have had to keep him away from the hot teppan. If you visit Hiroshima, don’t miss this iconic dish!
One evening, we took a stroll through the city and visited the Hatchoza Cinema Building. There was a small outdoor playground on the top floor, but it was too chilly for us to enjoy it. So, we decided to have dinner instead. I can’t remember the name of the restaurant, but I had some yummy tempura, a bunch of pickled veggies, and an udon soup for our little one, who absolutely loves it. My husband, on the other hand, had a mouthwatering beef tonkotsu.
Hilton Hotel Hiroshima - Our Stay
We stayed in the Hilton Hiroshima Hotel and enjoyed our time there with our toddler. The staff and the hotel amenities were incredible, and we would definitely consider this hotel again. The Hilton Hiroshima is located quite centrally; it takes about 18 minutes walking to the Peace Memorial and about 15 minutes walking distance to the Hondori shopping street.
As Hilton Diamond members (Diamante-Sama, like in OnePiece 😊), we received an upgrade to the Executive Floor on the 22nd level with a nice view. The access to the executive lounge added a little extra comfort to our trip. It was a great place to unwind in the evenings, and we appreciated the nice atmosphere while enjoying snacks and drinks. The staff was very friendly as well and helped us in making plans for the other days. Our room was very comfortable, well-designed, and offers generous space. A Japanese high-tech toilet is always a highlight.
Hilton Hiroshima - Breakfast and Teppanyaki
Breakfast at Hilton Hiroshima offers both Japanese and Western-style breakfast, themed with the City’s baseball team, Hiroshima Toyo Carp. The selection of food was amazing, and we had many things to try that we had never had before. A high chair and toddler cuttlery were immediately set up for our little one. My favorite breakfast was miso soup with rice and pickled vegetables and, of course, pickled plum (umeboshi). My husband enjoyed the egg dishes and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Our little one loved rice and vegetables and, of course, udon soup.
We spoiled ourselves to a Teppanyaki Dinner in the Hotel Restaurant SENSUI. Although I was very concerned about how the evening would go with our little one, as he often doesn’t want to sit still and loves to move around. But this time he was quite happy and enjoyed the show. The moment when the chef flambéed the wagyu steak, our son had a shocked look in his face. It was a very funny moment. After the main course, he wanted to explore the restaurant and entertained the staff and other guests. They were playing with him and said how cute (kawaii) he is. Of course, we apologized (gomenasai) several times, but everyone was fine, and even the chef said that our son is really doing great.
Hilton Hiroshima - Amenities
One of the highlights was the indoor pool (approx. 31°C) and a hot tub (approx. 36°C); also, two saunas were available. The water temperature was really pleasant and felt like a big warm hug. We enjoyed the pool almost every day. Our toddler loved it as well, as it was not too hot for him like a regular onsen. The hotel offers a nice gym as well.
One practical perk that made a big difference was the nearby coin laundry station. Traveling with a toddler means lots of changes of clothes, and being able to wash them cheaply just around the corner was a lifesaver. It was very close, next to the 7-Eleven and the Teranishi Coffee Main Store.
Day Trip to Miyajima Island
We planned a day trip to Miyajima and took the high-speed boat from Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park direclty to Miyajima Island, although it is a bit more expensive than taking the train and ferry. This was for us far more convenient and fast and it was no problem to take the stroller along. We paid 4000 Yen per person for the round trip and I believe our toddler was free. So after a scenic ride for about 45 minutes we arrived directly at Miyajima.
At Miyajima Island we directly saw the beautfil tori gates and the famous big „floating" Torii Gate. Along the way we were greeted by deers. Such a beautiful place for a day trip. The scenery changes with with the falling and rising tide. You can check online the timing of the flood.
Itsukushima Shrine and Good Luck
We walked over to the Itsukushima Shrine and enjoyed a short guided tour. A ceremony was going on, and we even caught a glimpse of the newlyweds. So lovely! At temples, it is always fun to walk around and check out the several good luck charms - known as Omamori. There are also Omikuji, where you can draw a fortune slip for about 100 yen. Thanks to translating apps, you can check your daily good luck message, although sometimes it is a bit cryptic and funny.
Sweets in Miyajima
We tried the Momiji manju, a Japanese maple leaf-shaped pastry, which is a local specialty in Miyajima. Originally filled with the sweet red bean filling, but also available with several other sweet fillings. It is very delicious and a must-try while in Miyajima. We stopped for a sakura latte at Starbucks, although the coffee quality is not great at Starbucks, but Starbucks in Japan is just a different level of kawaii merchandise and coffee creations. If you are close to Miyajima, we totally recommend a day trip to the island. Next time, we would definitely get a ryokan (Japanese guesthouse) for 2 days.
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