Helga (a Toyota HIEC Van) and I are supporting a two-week cycling event. Leaving Imabari, a ferry crossing takes us to Hiroshima. Unfortunately, only a single day was spent in the city, it definitely needs a return visit.

AI was used in the research of the factual content used below with subsequent editing.

1. Ferrying Helga to Hiroshima
2. Hello Hiroshima
3. More to Hiroshima Than a Bomb

The bike tour had 3-days in Imabari (see Imabaria – the End of the (Shimanami Kaido) Line) and one night in Hiroshima. The consensus was that a day or two less in Imabari added onto Hiroshima would have been ideal. Ahh, the benefit of 20/20 hindsight!

Ferrying Helga to Hiroshima

The most direct route from Imabari to Hiroshima is via ferry. This is the challenge of being an island nation. Either a 2-3 hour drive/ferry ride or a 2-3 hour drive with tolls. While some of the ferries are little boats with capacity for a half dozen cars, this ferry was of the slightly larger variety. The boat goes through a narrow straight crossed by not one, but two bridges.

Hello Hiroshima

Hiroshima is of course infamous due to being the site for the first use of an atomic bomb in anger. Thousands of people visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The facility mostly provides a balance approach to the incident. The theme is that this ultimate doomsday weapon is devastating for those killed, or worse, maimed by the device. The combination of horrific images and peaceful gardens creates an environment for reflection.

More to Hiroshima Than a Bomb

While the Peace Park is a must visit location, the brief stay in Hiroshima offered a glimpse of so much more. The city is widely high‑livable: safe, affordable, culturally rich, and surrounded by nature—while still offering the conveniences of a midsized urban center.

A consequence of the post-war reconstruction are the wide boulevards and abundant riverside green space. Residents describe the pace as relaxed compared to Tokyo or Osaka, with a strong sense of community and warm, down‑to‑earth local culture.

The city is notably more affordable than Japan’s major metros. Rent and daily expenses are typically 30–40% lower than Tokyo. Transportation systems are good and the city is well connected by rail. Nature is always close: rivers, mountains, and Miyajima Island are easy day trips. The community is known for being welcoming, with active expat networks and a smaller foreign population that encourages genuine interaction.