Exploring Hiroshima, Japan – Photography + Travel Guide
INTRODUCTION
Hiroshima rose to global prominence when the devastating atomic bomb was unleashed upon the city in 1945, obliterating everything in its path within a few kilometres. But from the ruins, a remarkable transformation unfolded. Today, Hiroshima stands as a testament to human resilience, with its reconstructed historical treasures and poignant memorials, such as the awe-inspiring Peace Memorial Park. This hallowed space not only serves as a sombre reminder of the city’s painful past but also embodies its fervent aspirations for lasting peace. Beyond Hiroshima’s borders, a world of exploration awaits. Venture out to Miyajima Island, a mystical wonderland where nature and spirituality merge harmoniously. Take a detour to Onomichi, a charming town brimming with quaint streets and overlooked gems.
You can use Hiroshima as a base to explore the region and do day trips to Miyajima Island, Onomichi, Iwakuni or Fukuyama.
WHAT IS TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY?
“Travel photography is a genre of photography that may involve the documentation of an area’s landscape, people, cultures, customs and history” – Wikipedia. You can also read this interesting post about Travel Photography titled “Travel Photography – How To Blend Your Passion With Profession“.
To read our review of the Silence Corner Atoll, click here. We strongly recommend this product for those who frequently use a tripod. Also, check out their Mambapod product. This is an awesome tabletop tripod that also clamps to different surfaces. Great for travel.
PLANNING & GETTING AROUND
If you are planning to spend some time exploring the area you may want to consider purchasing the JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass. A 5-day pass will currently cost 17,000Y. It covers quite a wide area – including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Kobe, and more. Just keep in mind that the pass can only be used for 5 consecutive days.
It’s easy to get to Hiroshima from the main cities in Japan such as Tokyo, Osaka & Kyoto. Once in Hiroshima, you may consider pre-purchasing the Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass (1, 2, or 3-day passes) for unlimited use on trams, buses, and ferries. If you already have the JR Pass it will provide free use of the Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop buses. If you don’t have a JR Pass you can buy a one-day pass for 400 yen. Alternatively, it is approx 3km from Hiroshima Station to Hiroshima Castle and Peace Memorial Park so you could always walk there, which is what we did. The city centre also has a fantastic tram network as well.
We didn’t do a great deal in Hiroshima. As mentioned in our Exploring Miyajima Island post, we decided to stay on Miyajima Island and visit Hiroshima as a day trip while all the day-trippers were swarming over the island. From Miyajima Island, it is just a short ferry ride and a local train into Hiroshima. In total, it’s about a 1-hour trip.
As mentioned in our previous Japan posts, depending on how much and how far you plan to travel you may want to consider the JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass). The passes are available for 7, 14 or 21 days and must be purchased before you arrive in Japan for the best price. If you have purchased an IC transport card such as the Pasmo or Suica card this is also valid for use on the trams and buses in Hiroshima.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: In October 2023 the JR Pass increased in price significantly. In many cases, the pass will no longer be viable as the cost of individual tickets will be cheaper. We strongly suggest that you use the JR Pass Calculator to see whether the JR Pass will be worthwhile. For longer trips, the JR Pass is still a good option but for a 2-week visit, we don't think the JR Pass will be worthwhile anymore. For example - based on a 2-week visit to Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka - Hiroshima - Kanazawa - Nikko - Tokyo it would cost Y65,330 if buying the tickets individually, but a 2-week JR Pass will cost Y80,000.
ACCOMMODATION
As mentioned previously, we did not stay in Hiroshima, but needless to say, there are plenty of accommodation choices depending on your budget.
CAMERA GEAR
Camera & Lens
The Sony A7Rii with the Sony 24-105mm f4 was the main combination we used during our time in Hiroshima (we now use the Sony A7Riii). We also carried the Sony 16-35mm f4 & Laowa 15mm f2 to cover us for any wide-angle requirements. Generally, a focal range from 16mm to 105mm will cover the majority of shots, no matter where you travel. For a bit more reach on the Sony cameras, we always have the option to switch to APS-C mode (crop sensor) which would give us about 158mm (but only 18mp).
Camera Bag
Our go-to bag for Hiroshima was, as usual, the Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L. (click to read our review).With only a couple of lenses to carry each, it was the obvious choice for a day trip. If we had been staying in Hiroshima and spending more time in the area, we may have used our Vanguard Alta Rise 45 Camera Backpack and Lowepro Transit Backpack 350AW bags. For those who find the Everyday Sling 10L too small for their needs, we would highly recommend the Peak Design Everyday Tote 15L
Tripod
As always, we shared a carbon fibre tripod on our day trip to Hiroshima. It straps easily to the bottom of our Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L bag. Even though we did not end up using it during the visit, we’ve learnt from experience that if we had not taken it with us we would have needed it. 
Filters
We didn’t have much use for many of our filters here however we did take them with us. The URTH CPL (polarizer) came in handy and the NiSi Square Graduated Soft ND8 (3stop) filter helped with the bright sky when photographing the view from the top floor of Hiroshima Castle.
Hiroshima Castle
Atomic Bomb Dome
Hiroshima Station
Peace Park
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LOCATION GUIDE
Hiroshima Castle
Even though it is not the original castle, extraordinary efforts have been made to reconstruct the castle using original building methods and materials. Inside you will find an informative museum about the castle’s history and from the top floor, you get a great view of the surrounding city. The header of this post is an exterior view of the castle.
Entrance is 370 yen. It’s about a 12min walk from Hiroshima Station. It can also be visited using the Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus (free with JR Pass or 400 yen for the day) or by using an IC transport card (Pasmo, Suica etc) on local transport.
Atomic Bomb Dome
The Atomic Bomb Dome, also knows as Hiroshima Peace Memorial, is the remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. It was one of the few buildings that survived due to being almost directly below the hypocenter of the bomb. The dome remains as a reminder of the force and suffering caused by the bomb and to help bring world peace.
The Atomic Bomb Dome can be easily reached by catching the Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus.
Flame of Peace
The main attraction of the city is Peace Memorial Park, a large park with many trees, open areas, walking paths and facilities devoted to peace. You can visit the Peace Memorial Museum, Peace Bell, National Peace Memorial Hall and the Flame of Peace.
To reach the Peace Memorial Park take tram line 2 or 6 from Hiroshima Station (180 yen) or the Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus.
Okonomiyaki
Hiroshima’s most well-known dish is its version of the Okonomiyaki. This version has a classic savoury style pancake with a thin layer of batter lots of cabbage, yakisoba noodles and lots of toppings to choose from (oysters, squid, cheese, spring onions, etc). Easy to find a place that makes them and well worth trying. Price approx. 700 yen.
TIP!
Try to obtain a slower shutter speed to show movement in the chef’s hand. This will give the image a feeling of motion. Ensure the shutter speed is still fast enough to handhold while keeping the main subject sharp. Consider using a Variable ND filter such as an ND8-128 to slow the shutter speed down if there is a lot of available light.
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We didn’t get to see as much of Hiroshima as we would have liked as it was only a day trip. We definitely will spend more time in the city on another trip as there is a lot more to see and do in this wonderful seaside city. If you would like to read any of our other Japan Guides please click the banners below.
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