The approach to Hiroshima by cruise ship offers views of the Seto Inland Sea, one of Japan’s most scenic maritime passages, dotted with small islands that hint at Miyajima’s idyllic setting ahead. The Ujina Passenger Terminal south of the city is the primary berth for cruise ships visiting Hiroshima. This port was purpose-built for cruise arrivals, with a straightforward pier-to-transfer setup. The port is approximately 5 kilometers from the Peace Memorial Park area, or roughly 15–20 minutes by transfer vehicle when traffic is normal.

Curated Princess shore excursions depart directly from the pier, so guests joining an excursion board at the terminal and arrive at their first site without any additional navigation or transportation arrangements required.

For guests on Princess excursions: transfers are included and handled from the pier, with no additional logistics necessary.

For guests with pre/post-cruise days in Hiroshima: the Hiroshima streetcar (tram) network connects Ujina to the city center and Peace Memorial Park area. Line 1 and Line 3 run from Ujina-machi stop directly into the city. Journey time on the tram is approximately 25–35 minutes to the Peace Memorial Park area. 

The Hiroshima Bus (Line 21) runs direct routes from Ujina Port to the Chuden-mae stop, taking about 15-20 minutes, with a short 10-minute walk to the park from there. A taxi ride takes about 20 minutes directly from the terminal to the park.

Many Princess Cruises guests prioritize an excursion to the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome and Museum. Peace Memorial Park stands on the hypocenter of the atomic bombing that occurred on August 6, 1945. This is the reason the park exists, and arriving here carries an emotional weight that no amount of preparation can quite account for.

The A-bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome) is the skeletal remains of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, one of the only structures close to the hypocenter to remain partially standing, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you approach the area, you see the iron dome framework against the sky, the exposed brick walls, the Ota River curving around it, all preserved as it stood after the bomb fell.

The Peace Memorial Museum is a moving, carefully curated account of the city before and after August 6. The museum accurately addresses both the human cost and Hiroshima’s subsequent transformation into a worldwide symbol of peace and nuclear abolition. Many guests leave having been not merely informed, but fundamentally changed by the experience.

The Memorial Cenotaph’s arch protects the stone chest below, containing a registry of all known victims who died as a result of the bombing, regardless of nationality. The A-bomb Dome is intentionally framed perfectly through its arch. The nearby Flame of Peace has burned continuously since 1964 and will be extinguished only when all nuclear weapons are abolished.

Though Hiroshima was forever marked by the 1945 bombing, the park exists because the city chose to become a living monument and plea for peace. Visitors to the memorial leave not in despair but with the particular clarity that comes from bearing witness to this momentous event and its aftermath.

There are two main buildings: the East Building covers Hiroshima before 1945 and the broader context of WWII, while the Main Building addresses the bombing and its effects, including personal artifacts, photographs and survivor testimonies.

Guests should allow 60–90 minutes for a thorough visit, though 45 minutes may cover the highlights. The museum is not large but the powerful content deserves to be absorbed thoughtfully and completely.

The Children’s Peace Monument, a short walk from the museum, memorializes Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl who in the mid-1950s folded more than a thousand origami paper cranes in hopes that the gods would recognize her wish to get well from her A-bomb caused leukemia. Her tragic story resonates with guests across generations.

Guests approaching  Miyajima on the standard 10-minute ferry crossing from Hiroshima’s Miyajimaguchi port see the famed vermillion-lacquered torii gate coming into view from the water before the island’s forested hills and  Mount Misen resolve above and behind it. This dramatic arrival is part of the experience.

The Itsukushima Shrine and the striking torii gate is one of Japan’s three officially designated “views” (Nihon Sankei). The shrine’s vermillion galleries extend over the water, built on stilts so that at high tide the entire complex appears to float. Guests visiting at low tide can walk to the base of the torii gate on the exposed seabed.

The torii gate itself is 16.6 meters (54 feet) tall, constructed from camphor wood, and has been standing in the sea since at least the 12th century (in various reconstructions). The current gate dates from 1875.

Miyajima’s wild deer roam freely across the island and approach guests without hesitation. They are a protected species and are fed naturally on the surrounding vegetation.

Excursion participants and other guests wishing to experience the local food will enjoy Miyajima’s signature momiji manju (maple leaf-shaped cakes filled with red bean paste or custard). Hiroshima’s oysters are cultivated in the waters of the Inland Sea and served fresh at many of the island’s waterfront restaurants.

There’s debate as to whether a high tide vs. low tide visit is preferable. As noted, at high tide the gate appears to float on the water, while at low tide guests can walk to its base and experience its full height from ground level. Both are worth experiencing but the floating effect is what creates the iconic image. Tide times obviously vary by date. Guests on a Princess excursion will be guided by their leader on optimal timing, which is another benefit of choosing to book a curated excursion.

The original Hiroshima Castle, built in 1589, was destroyed in the atomic bombing. The current five-story Tenshu is a 1958 concrete reconstruction that houses a museum of feudal Hiroshima history. It represents the city’s determination to rebuild and preserve its identity after 1945. The castle's moat and stone walls predate the bombing, while the Ninomaru's gate and turret structures — which guests can walk through today — are a 1990s reconstruction built using traditional methods and materials.

Ten minutes from the castle you’ll find Shukkeien Garden: a 17th-century strolling garden restored after significant bomb damage. This serves as a meditative counterpoint to the emotional weight of the Peace Memorial. Shukkeien is a place of seasonal beauty, with cherry blossoms in the spring and colorful maples in autumn, that speaks to Hiroshima’s remarkable capacity for renewal.

Princess Hiroshima excursions are designed to fit different time windows, so guests can match their day to the experiences that matter most and the activity level that suits them. Top options include:

• Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome and Museum (3.5 hours, Moderate): A focused, meaningful half-day. The Peace Park, A-bomb Dome and museum suit guests who want to give the memorial the time it deserves.
• Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine (4 hours, Moderate): Guests enjoy the ferry and the island experience, the torii gate, shrine galleries, the deer and the local food at the waterfront. Guests drawn to more natural or spiritual settings will enjoy Miyajima.
• Highlights of Hiroshima (4 hours, Moderate): This excursion is city-focused, including Hiroshima Castle and other city highlights. It suits guests who want the urban and historical experience without a full-day commitment.
• Best of Hiroshima (7.5 hours, Moderate): This is the full day excursion combining both major Hiroshima experiences of Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima Island in one itinerary. This is perfect for guests who want to experience everything Hiroshima offers in a single port day.

Hiroshima is a city of physical and emotional contrasts: the profound gravity of the Peace Memorial and the quiet beauty of Miyajima highlight two experiences that could not be more different in tone, and yet both feel essential to understanding what this remarkable city is and what it has chosen to become. Explore your perfect Japan cruise to Hiroshima and experience both sides of the city.