This will be my third time going to Japan. The last two were to work. I've already visited many of the beautiful places, but was never able to get to Hirlshima. Since this is a "vacation" trip, Hiroshima is #1 on my list of things to do. I will be in Japan for 2 weeks, spending most ofmy time in Shizuoka pref. I was thinking of taking 3 days for Hiroshima. Any recommendations of how long to spend there, places to stay(good ryokans...I'd like a more traditional place), etc. Thanks! MJ

I think 3 days is definitely enough time. We actually stayed on the little island of Miyajima, which is a 10-minute ferry ride + 20-minute train ride away from Hiroshima. We stayed at a wonderful ryokan called Iwaso. I highly recommend that you visit Miyajima, if not stay there. We spent 2 days in the area. 1 day visiting Hiroshima and the other day on Miyajima. There is a lovely park there where you can take a cable car to the top of a mountain, where they feed dozens of wild monkeys before your eyes. There is also the floating torii and Ikustushima (spelling?) shrine, which is magnificent at night. Obviously, the Atomic Bomb museum is the must-see in Hiroshima.

jaydreb5
Thanks for the information. I just checked out the Iwaso's web page and it looks fabulous! The reason I'm taking 3 days is because I'll be traveling from Mishima, Shiuoka the first day to get there and then back on the third day.

It is fabulous. We had 2 of our most memorable kaiseki feasts there. Although expensive, we're glad we splurged.

Do you have a contact number or emial address for them? I couldn't find one when looking.

We booked them through www.japaneseguesthouse.com

Jaydreb5 - I will be staying in Iwaso and had a question. I am a female traveling alone - do you think it will be strange for me to stay in Iwaso by myself. When they are serving the Kaiseki, course after course, will it be awkward? I like to travel alone but am just not sure how the ryokans will fit into that package! Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks.

Not knowing what it's like to be a single female traveller (I'm a male!), it's hard for me to answer this question. But I say go for it! I don't see why it would be that awkward and the staff there are so nice that I doubt they'll make you feel uncomfortable.