I want to visit Hiroshima

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’ve been reading a lot lately about the first atomic bombs, and I think I would like to visit Hiroshima.

A few other Dopers seem to have gone there, so I’m hoping some of them will check in and give me some information, such as:

  • How much time should one expect to devote to seeing the many museums and monuments about the bombing and recovery?

  • How does Hiroshima compare to Nagasaki? I will probably have a week in the country - should I try to visit both cities?

  • I’ve never visited Japan before. What basic advice would you have for a first time American tourist? What’s the best time of year to go? (I’m thinking of April)

Thanks in advance for any help. The urge to see these cities has come over me very quickly, but strongly. I want to get the most out of the experience.

2

I was in Hiroshima this summer, it was my favorite city in all of japan, it has a really great balance between country and big city, The area where my hotel was (prince hotel) was right on the harbour and was in a pretty rural area but in a 10 min drive you are in the thick of a huge vibrant city!

You could spend 2 days easily at the A-bomb museum. If you are really interested in that sort of thing.

Don get too caught up in the whole past of the city tho, youll miss out on all the amazing things that are happening there in the present.

I cant wait to get back there

And eat some okono mi yaki! (Japanese dopers please help me with the spelling of that)

3

Visit Oak Ridge or Los Alamos first.

Cheaper & easier

4

I can’t answer the first two questions, as I’ve never been west of Kyoto.

As for the third, the weather in April is good for sightseeing (July and August hang in the humid 90’s and should be avoided unless you’re used to that kind of heat). Don’t go too late in the month, because the period from April 29 to May 6 is a string of consecutive holidays called “Golden Week” that the entire country takes their vacations on. Trains and attractions will be packed beyond belief and hotels will probably all be booked.

Try to get a rail pass before you go so you can travel all over the place on that one ticket.

Even though just about everyone under the age of fifty has had at least six years of English in school, very few people will be able to communicate with you all that well (although if you stop at a little watering hole in the evening, you may be surprised how much everyone’s language skills improve after a few beers). If you need to ask directions, you’re best bet is to have the address of the place you’re going already written down (if you stay at a hotel, get an address card or some stationery from them in case you need to take a taxi back). If you get lost, just look for a police box (koban) and they’ll help you find your way (giving directions is pretty much all they do all day). Big hotels, major train stations and tourist attractions are also likely to have English-speaking staff (or at least maps).

Don’t worry about wandering into a “bad” neighborhood. There aren’t any. Also, don’t worry about getting ripped off by shop staff or taxi drivers; the odds of that are next to nil in all but the sketchiest bars.

Department stores and major hotels pretty much all take credit cards, but a lot of Japan is still cash-only, so be prepared.

Have fun!