🏯✨ Hiroshima Castle Weekend Escape: Phoenix of the Peace City

#summervacay *Perfect for history buffs • castle lovers • urban explorers* --- ### **☀️ DAY 1: Castle Resurrection & Peace Reflections** **🚄 9AM:** Shinkansen from Osaka (1.5hrs) → Hiroshima Station **🏨 11AM:** Check into **Sheraton Grand Hiroshima** (moat views) **🏯 1PM:** - **Hiroshima Castle** entry (¥370, rebuilt 1958) - Must-do: **Dress as a feudal lord** (free photo op!) - **Secret spot:** 5F observation deck for city panorama **🕊️ 3PM:** - Walk to **Peace Memorial Park** (20min) - Matcha break at **Fukuro no Mise** (owl café nearby) **🍢 7PM:** - Okonomiyaki dinner at **Okonomi-mura** (3 floors of sizzling goodness) - Nightcap at **Bar Mugon** (atomic bomb survivor stories) --- ### **⛩️ DAY 2: Miyajima & Hidden History** **🌅 8AM:** - Ferry to **Itsukushima Shrine** (30min from Peace Park) - Sunrise torii gate photos (check tides!) **🍁 11AM:** - Return to explore **Shukkeien Garden** (miniature landscapes) - Lunch at **Nagataya** (Hiroshima-style tsukemen) **🎎 2PM:** - **Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine** (samurai spirit) - **Local secret:** Hidden ninja stairs in castle walls **🚋 7PM:** - Vintage tram ride to **Hondori Shopping Arcade** - Try momiji manju at **Miyajima Omotesando** branch --- ### **🎋 DAY 3: Cultural Farewell** **🍙 9AM:** - Breakfast at **Ekohiiki** (station ekiben paradise) - Last castle photos in morning light **🛍️ 11AM:** - Souvenir shopping: - **Paper cranes** at Peace Park - **Castle-shaped cookies** @ Hiroshima Antenna Shop **🚄 2PM:** Bullet train return with new perspectives --- ### **📸 Must-Capture Moments:** 1. **Castle + moat reflections** at golden hour 2. **Samurai armor displays** in main keep 3. **Observation deck cityscape** 4. **Paper lanterns** at Gokoku Shrine **💡 Pro Tips:** ✔️ **Combined ticket** with Shukkeien (¥520) ✔️ **Weekday mornings** = empty castle halls ✔️ **April** = Hiroshima Flower Festival **#hiroshimacastle #japantravel #phoenixcastle #peaceandhistory** 🕊️ **Save this for your meaningful getaway!**