The City of Peace carries its history gently — solemn memorials give way to lively arcades, soul-warming okonomiyaki, and the sacred island of Miyajima floating just 30 minutes offshore.
⚓ Docked (pier — no tender)🕒 Typical call: 8–10 hrs💴 Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)🗣️ Language: Japanese
Ships dock at one of two piers depending on size — neither is within walking distance of the Peace Park, but transport options are plentiful.
Getting from the Pier to the City
1
Ujina Wharf (smaller/luxury ships)Walk 5–10 minutes to the Kaigan-dori tram stop and take Hiroden Line 1 to the city center (~35 min, ~240 JPY flat fare). Taxis also available outside the terminal (2,500–3,000 JPY to Peace Park). Many cruise lines run a free shuttle to Hiroshima Minato Park near tram connections.
2
Itsukaichi Wharf (large ships — Princess, MSC, Celebrity, HAL, NCL)Cruise lines typically provide a shuttle to JR Itsukaichi Station. From there, take the JR Sanyo Line to Hiroshima Station (~15 min). Then tram or taxi to the Peace Park area.
3
Direct ferry to MiyajimaFrom Ujina Port, the Setonaikaikisen (Setouchi Sea Line) high-speed ferry goes directly to Miyajima Island in about 22 minutes (~2,300 JPY one-way, plus 100 JPY Miyajima visitor tax). Check schedules in advance — departures are limited.
💡 Pro move: IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca) are accepted on Hiroshima's trams and JR trains. Some of the trams running today are original 1945 survivor cars.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
Hiroshima has two docking piers — Ujina for smaller ships and the larger Itsukaichi Wharf for ships up to ~100,000 GRT.
Cruise Line
Typical Berth / Arrival
Dock or Tender
Princess, MSC, Celebrity, Holland America, NCL, Viking
Hiroshima rewards independent explorers — the Peace Park, Miyajima Island, and Hiroshima Castle are all straightforward to reach by public transit or taxi.
History
Peace Memorial Park & Museum
The emotional heart of Hiroshima. Walk the A-Bomb Dome (UNESCO World Heritage), the Cenotaph, the Children's Peace Monument, and the museum — one of the most powerful museums in the world, admission just 200 JPY.
⏱ 2–3 hrs🚶 Easy flat walk📷 UNESCO site💴 200 JPY museum entry
The sacred island famous for its vermilion Torii gate that appears to float at high tide. See the Shrine (300 JPY), feed the tame deer, try Miyajima oysters, and consider the Mt. Misen Ropeway for panoramic Seto Inland Sea views.
⏱ 3–4 hrs⛴ Ferry from Ujina or JR/ferry from Hiroshima💴 300 JPY shrine entry🌊 High tide timing ideal
Hiroshima's signature layered savory pancake — distinct from Osaka's version — is made with cabbage, pork, yakisoba noodles, and egg. Okonomi-mura in downtown has three floors of tiny family stalls, each with their own recipe.
⏱ 1 hr🍽️ Must-eat local dish💴 ~1,000–1,200 JPY per pancake
The 'Carp Castle,' a 1590s feudal castle reconstructed after the war. The interior museum covers samurai culture and city history, and the top floor gives good city views.
Take the two-stage ropeway up to near the summit of sacred Mt. Misen for sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea's island-dotted waters. Wild monkeys and deer share the forested trails.
⏱ 2–3 hrs with hike💴 ~2,000 JPY round trip📷 Best views on Miyajima
A classic Japanese strolling garden dating to 1620, with a central pond, stone bridges, teahouses, and seasonal flowers. Quiet and uncrowded compared to the big sights.
Hiroshima's Peace Park district is very walkable once you arrive by tram or taxi from the pier.
Peace Park Loop
1.5 km · 30–45 min · Flat
From the Peace Memorial Museum, walk to the Cenotaph, Children's Peace Monument, Peace Flame, and the A-Bomb Dome. All connected by paved riverside paths.
From the Miyajima ferry pier, stroll the waterfront past tame deer to the Itsukushima Shrine entrance. Continue along the main Omotesando shopping lane for Momiji Manju and fresh oysters.
Climate normals for Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
Month
Avg High
Avg Low
Rainy Days
Sunrise
Sunset
Jan
48°F / 9°C
34°F / 1°C
8
7:16 AM
5:22 PM
Feb
49°F / 9°C
34°F / 1°C
7
6:55 AM
5:53 PM
Mar
57°F / 14°C
40°F / 4°C
10
6:21 AM
6:17 PM
Apr
64°F / 18°C
47°F / 8°C
9
5:39 AM
6:41 PM
May
72°F / 22°C
56°F / 13°C
9
5:08 AM
7:05 PM
Jun
77°F / 25°C
64°F / 18°C
14
4:57 AM
7:23 PM
Jul
84°F / 29°C
73°F / 23°C
15
5:09 AM
7:22 PM
Aug
87°F / 31°C
75°F / 24°C
13
5:31 AM
6:57 PM
Sep
80°F / 27°C
68°F / 20°C
13
5:53 AM
6:17 PM
Oct
71°F / 22°C
56°F / 13°C
8
6:15 AM
5:35 PM
Nov
62°F / 17°C
46°F / 8°C
8
6:43 AM
5:05 PM
Dec
51°F / 11°C
37°F / 3°C
8
7:09 AM
5:01 PM
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Insider Tips
⏱
Do both Peace Park and Miyajima if you have 9+ hours: take the Setonaikaikisen high-speed ferry from Ujina Port direct to Miyajima (~22 min), spend 3 hrs, then the Aqua Net World Heritage Sea Route ferry from Miyajima to Peace Park (~45 min). Taxi back to ship.
🎫
Book Peace Memorial Museum tickets online before your cruise. Walk-up queues can be 30–60 minutes. Timed entry costs just 200 JPY (~$1.30 USD).
💴
Bring yen cash — tram fares, temple entry, street food stalls, and Momiji Manju shops often don't accept cards. ATMs at the terminal and 7-Eleven stores are reliable.
🦌
Watch the Miyajima deer — they're tame but will steal maps, bags, and food. Keep anything paper or edible secured. Don't feed them.
🌊
Check Miyajima tide times — the floating Torii effect is best at high tide. At low tide you can walk out to the gate's base. Both are scenic; just know what to expect.
🍳
Don't skip okonomiyaki — Hiroshima's layered version (with yakisoba noodles) is entirely different from Osaka's mixed style. Okonomi-mura downtown has 25 stalls and no bad choices.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ✅ UberUber operates in Hiroshima via partnerships with licensed taxi companies — the app dispatches a local taxi. No Lyft, Grab, or Bolt presence confirmed.
🚍 Hop-on Hop-off Bus
The Hiroshima Meipuru-pu (Maple Loop) sightseeing bus is a hop-on hop-off style loop hitting major attractions. Day pass ¥600 adult; single ride ¥220. Free for JR Pass holders. Departs Hiroshima Station (Shinkansen entrance).
🚋 Streetcar (Hiroden Tram)
¥240 flat fare
From Ujina Wharf, tram lines 1 or 3 run directly to Peace Memorial Park and the city center in about 25–30 minutes. Pay on exit; exact change helpful.
🚕 Taxi
¥2,200–¥3,000
From Ujina Wharf (Hiroshima Port) to Peace Memorial Park or Hiroshima Station — roughly 5–6 km. Itsukaichi Wharf taxis run higher due to distance.
🚌 Cruise Line Shuttle
Often free
Most cruise lines provide a complimentary shuttle from Itsukaichi Wharf to JR Itsukaichi Station, where trains connect to Hiroshima Station in about 15 minutes.
⛴️ Ferry to Miyajima
¥200 (ferry) + ¥100 island tax
JR ferry from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima takes about 10 minutes. Free with JR Pass; the ¥100 Miyajima visitor tax still applies.
Cruises Calling Here
Upcoming cruises that call at Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
