We are going to Japan in late August. Could we do a day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day by ourselves, or would this be too much? We'll be going from Kyoto, so I know we'll need an early start. Should we go to Miyajima first and then go to Hiroshima on the way back? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Though possible, I think doing both in a day trip from Kyoto would be a bit much. We did Miyajima as a full day trip from Hiroshima where we spent 3 days. We did this same trip twice, once on our own, and once again when my parents visited us here.

We did it from Kyoto in one day. Very early start on 1st Hikari shinkansen of the day, went straight to peace park in Hiroshima, then to the ferry and to Miyajima. We only had about 3 hrs at Miyajima, as weather was bad that day so we wanted to get off the island. Also, if you are operating on a JR Pass, you have to keep in mind that you need to get back to Hiroshima train station to catch the last Hikari back to Kyoto (or to shinOsaka where you can switch to a local train to Kyoto).

We could have spent less time at Peace Park museum and more time on Miyajima, but as I said weather was bad so we didn't.

I think it is very doable in one day. You get back to Kyoto late, like 9-9:30 pm, so it is a long day.

Thankyou for the information Kim & emd; think we will try to do it in one day, early start, late finis. We only have 5 days in the Kyoto area so think that's the way to go. We know we'll only "skim the surface", but at least we'll have a taste of both places.

I too agree it can be done in one day, and you for sure don't need to spend all that much time in the Peace Park, either- Hiroshima is someplace you need to wizz through.

I think the travelers will need to decide for themselves how much time to spend in Hiroshima, if they are going to the Peace Park. IMO, the Peace Park Museum deserves as much time as you want to give it, not a recommendation that you don't need to spend much time there and that you need to whiz through it. In our case, my 14 yr old son went slowly, and wanted time to absorb what he was reading and seeing and hearing. He looked at every exhibit and wanted to talk about them as we went through. On the other hand when I took my daughter recently she could not even make it through all of the second half of the exhibit, the part w/the personal stories, so we left earlier than anticipated. We found that it was not a typical tourist site that you can just expect to whiz through.

We spent one night in Hiroshima and one in Miyajima and found that to be a good amount of time. Although I agree that you could "do" Hiroshima in less than a day, I think it's worth spending a night in at least Miyajima. Rushing through both in one day will not do either justice.

I'd definitely spend more time in Miyajima, much more pleasant and interesting place-I don't know why people find it necessary to stay in Hiroshima-an exceedingly depressing place-IMO, which is why I recommend the "wizz" through-if you feel you need to see it at all.

While the Peace Park and museum is sobering, there is much more to Hiroshima than that. Hiroshima is large, vital city. Even if you have a little time, you could easily walk through the large, lively and cheerful shopping area where there are nice shops and restaurants. There are other museums if you like museums. It's also fine if you just want to see the Peace Park and museum, but you will not have seen Hiroshima.

This website has good information and links so you can see all the area has to offer to tourists. http://www.kankou.pref.hiroshima.jp/global/english.php

and Hiroshima has the Carps for a great baseball game experience also.

It really depends on what you want to see. I suspect that you may have the same problem (weather) as emd only it will be too hot to walk around outside for hours on Miyajima.
After the A-bomb dome and peace park we went to the Shukkei-en Garden. It was about 10 blocks from the park. It's attached to the Hiorshima Prefectural Art Museum. You enter through the museum - and I suspect if it's a really hot day you may want to sit and relax in the cool confines of the museum.
The park is an amazing oasis in the middle of the city. We bought shrimp wafers on the way and hand fed the carp and turtles in the ponds. It was originally designed in 1620 by a famous landsape artist (Kagaakira Asano) and it seemed that everywhere you turned, there was another picture.
Another suggestion for you anyways.

And thanks emd - our son is coming home in about a month and I have been wracking my brains for gifts (he asked what to bring) - I just sent him an email to bring his dad a Hiroshima Carps baseball cap! It was an inspired idea - you get all the credit - and his dad will love it. I still don't have any bright ideas as to what he can bring me though.

Inspiring a baseball gift is a good thing. That makes my day.

Maybe have your son bring you an okonomiyaki making kit? It has batter powder for the pancake and the sauce that you spread on top, and instructions (very funny "engrish" instructions but you can follow them). I got mine in Hiroshima at the grovery store in the basement of the JR station, but I have seen them in other places in Hiroshima. It might be fun to try and make it one night for your family for dinner, bring back memories.