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From Hiroshima to Okayama. This trip includes exploring Hiroshima in the morning, then taking the Shinkansen to Kurashiki to wander its historic district, and finally enjoying local delicacies around Okayama Station—making even the travel itself part of the experience.
In Hiroshima, we’ll visit the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and Hiroshima Castle, confronting the past and contemplating the future. In the afternoon, we’ll stroll through Kurashiki’s atmospheric historic district, and conclude our journey by savoring excellent Japanese cuisine at renowned restaurants in Okayama.
Here’s the itinerary we’ll cover in this article:
A fulfilling tour packed with sights and culinary experiences across three cities in a single day. Now, let’s embark on this memorable journey.
🕛 8:00 am
Our first stop in Hiroshima is the Peace Memorial Park. This park was established to memorialize the victims of the atomic bombing and to pray for world peace. Every year on August 6th, a Peace Memorial Ceremony is held here, attended by dignitaries from around the world.
Peace Memorial Park is expansive, with numerous cenotaphs, memorials, and monuments throughout the grounds, including the Flame of Peace, the A-bombed Aogiri tree, and the Children’s Peace Monument.
Please take your time to receive the messages of peace at each spot and explore the park quietly.
Read more about Peace Memorial Park
🕛 9:00 am
We’ll visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum located within the Peace Memorial Park grounds.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum opened in 1955 to convey the reality of atomic bomb damage to people worldwide and to contribute to the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting world peace. The museum collects and displays belongings of victims and photographs and materials showing the devastation of the bombing, while also introducing Hiroshima’s journey before and after the bombing and the situation of the nuclear age.
Read more about Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
🕛 10:00 am
Just across the Motoyasu Bridge from the Peace Memorial Park stands the Atomic Bomb Dome.
The Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima Peace Memorial) is the ruins of a building that survived the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and serves as a symbolic reminder of the horrors of nuclear weapons and the importance of peace. In 1996, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Cultural Heritage).
Read more about Atomic Bomb Dome
🕛 10:30 am
A 12-minute walk from the Peace Memorial Park brings us to Hiroshima Castle.
Hiroshima Castle (also known as Carp Castle) is a flatland castle built by Mori Terumoto in 1589 and is an important historical site that conveys Hiroshima’s history and culture to the present day. The current main tower was reconstructed in 1958, and its interior is open to the public as a history museum.
Read more about Hiroshima Castle
🕛 11:50 am
We’ll head to Kurashiki Station via Okayama Station from Hiroshima Station.
From Hiroshima Castle to Hiroshima Station is about a 20-minute walk covering 1.8 km, so taking a bus to the station is recommended.
We board the Shinkansen and first head to Okayama Station. The fare is 5,610 yen for a non-reserved seat.
🕛 12:37 am
After arriving at Okayama Station, we transfer to the Hakubi Line to reach Kurashiki Station. The Hakubi Line is a Sanyo-Sanin connection route linking Okayama and Tottori. This nature-rich line features the Limited Express Yakumo and yellow local trains.
Peaceful rural scenery continues outside the window.
🕛 1:00 pm
We arrive at Kurashiki Station.
🕛 1:10 pm
About a 10-minute walk from Kurashiki Station, we arrive at the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter.
The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is a district with preserved Edo-period streetscapes.
The streets are lovely, but there are also many culinary options, so we’ll enjoy delicious food while taking in the scenery.
Read more about Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
🕛 3:30 pm
After enjoying the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, we return to Kurashiki Station.
Here are scenes around Kurashiki Station.
Since our accommodation for tonight is in Okayama City, we’ll return to Okayama Station.
🕛 4:20 pm
We arrive at Okayama Station.
As expected of a station where the Shinkansen stops, Okayama Station is quite large.
And when it comes to Okayama Prefecture, “Momotaro” (Peach Boy) is iconic.
There’s also a Momotaro statue at Okayama Station.
Momotaro was even on top of a mailbox.
🕛 5:00 pm
We safely check into our accommodation for the night.
Let’s rest a bit before heading out for dinner.
If you want to enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine near Okayama Station, here are two recommended restaurants.
“Hotarubi” is a hidden restaurant tucked away in a back alley. You can enjoy excellent cuisine in a casual atmosphere.
The interior has a calm atmosphere.
Enjoying Koya tofu with sea urchin and wasabi. The delicate handiwork makes it a pleasure both visually and taste-wise.
Next, we ordered this restaurant’s specialty—“Salt-Seared Spanish Mackerel”
Then we ordered the “Tempura Assortment”. Even a single portion is satisfyingly voluminous.
If you’re unsure which restaurant to choose in Okayama City, definitely give this place a try. The chef’s personality is also wonderful.
| Name | Hotarubi |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm |
| Closed | Mondays |
| Address | 1 - 2F Arata Building, 4 - 3 Honmachi, Kita - ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Official Website | https://localplace.jp/t100739342/ |
| @urarozi_hotarubi |
Next, we visited Sakusaku. This is also a Japanese restaurant. The atmosphere is more formal than Hotarubi. Rather than casual, it leans more towards traditional.
Today’s sashimi five-variety assortment 1,265 yen (left) and appetizer (right). Beautiful Japanese cuisine that’s a feast for the eyes as well.
The fish is fresh and absolutely delicious. It went perfectly with Okayama’s local sake.
For our final dish, we enjoyed sea bream ochazuke (rice with tea).
The umami of the sea bream paired perfectly with the flavor of the broth, making it exceptionally delicious.
| Name | Shunsai Senshu Sakusaku |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 5:00 pm - 12:00 pm |
| Closed | Irregular holidays |
| Address | 1F YA Building, 3 - 2 Nishiki - machi, Kita - ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Menu etc. | Tabelog |
| @syunnsaisensyusakusaku |
The route we’ve introduced includes Hiroshima’s peace memorials, Kurashiki with its Edo-period ambiance, and Okayama’s cuisine. Each place we visit in this day is filled with different charms.
Our journey began in Hiroshima, where we quietly faced memories of war and prayers for peace; in Kurashiki, we were healed by beautiful streetscapes and rediscovered the joy of walking; and in the evening, we savored seasonal tastes at Okayama’s restaurants. It’s a journey that satisfies both mind and body.
The atmosphere of each city, and the culture and flavors rooted there, enrich the impression of the journey. Even with just half a day each, both Hiroshima City and Kurashiki City offer such profound travel experiences.
This route with smooth transportation is recommended for those who want to use their time effectively. We hope you’ll experience this “memorable day” journey from Hiroshima to Kurashiki to Okayama yourself.
