Bullet Train, Kintai Bridge & Peace Memorial
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Port
Hiroshima, Japan
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$380
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 7¾ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Hiroshima welcomes you, by train, foot, and coach, to explore all sorts of sights, from a famous bridge to memorials of the Atomic bomb and remnants of the Samurai class. You will likely find yourself both fascinated and humbled by this amazing city.
Head to Hiroshima's train station and take a 20-minute ride on the high-speed Kodama bullet train to Shin-Iwakuni Station. Here, transfer to a motorcoach for a scenic panoramic drive to the Kintai Bridge, which spans the Nishiki River. One of Japan's three great bridges, this one features a famous design of five wooden arches. It measures more than 700 feet in length, which is quite a feat given that it was first constructed in 1673. It was rebuilt in 1953 after a typhoon destroyed the original.
Walk to Kikko Park -- former home of feudal lord Daimyo Kikkawa -- and see traditional residences built by the Samurai class. The estate's lush setting includes a fountain, trees and flower gardens in which to stroll. It also features a sanctuary for white snakes -- a good luck symbol.
Continue to a local restaurant for lunch.
Afterward, visit Peace Memorial Park and tour the Peace Memorial Museum. The museum stands as a solemn testament to the city's post-bomb resilience, offering a poignant and thought-provoking journey through exhibits that vividly depict the events of 1945. Take photos of the Atomic Bomb Dome's skeletal ruins copper dome, vaporized in the atomic blast. Its gutted walls create a powerful image.
Watch for Hiroshima Castle on the ride back to the ship. The 16th-century original was destroyed in the atomic blast, but a replica now houses a museum on pre-war Japan.
Please note:
The Museum exhibits sensitive material, including some very graphic images and displays; photography is not permitted. Expect crowding at the museum. Tour requires approximately 30 minutes of walking at the Peace Memorial Park. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring local currency, as some vendors do not accept credit cards or US dollars. The bullet train journey is 20 minutes; seating is non-reserved, and the group may be separated. Electric wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated. Terrain includes approximately 200 steps, uneven surfaces, inclines, and gravel paths. You must cross the Kintaikyo Bridge to visit the park. Tour sequence may vary.