Japan Itinerary 2026: Day 1, Fukuoka to Hiroshima
Join me on Day 1 of my unforgettable 7-day journey through Japan! From navigating Fukuoka Airport to a speedy Shinkansen ride to Hiroshima, get ready for an adventure.
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Join me on Day 1 of my unforgettable 7-day journey through Japan! From navigating Fukuoka Airport to a speedy Shinkansen ride to Hiroshima, get ready for an adventure.
I visited last October
Hiroshima, Kitakyushu, Shimonoseki, and Fukuoka
for a 6-night, 7-day trip.
Since it was before I started blogging, I don't have many photos,
but I want to relive those happy memories,
and for those planning a trip to Fukuoka and its surrounding areas, like me,
I'll be writing a daily, hourly diary-style post.
It's my first time writing in a casual style, so it feels a bit awkward,
よろしくお願い (please bear with me)!
DAY 1 - From Tongyeong to Hiroshima
Today marks the first day of our Japan trip!
Our flight was scheduled to depart at 1:05 PM,
so we started moving busily from the morning.
From Tongyeong, you always have to wake up at dawn to get ready, no matter where you're going.
Gimhae Airport is notorious for its parking difficulties,
so even though our flight was in the afternoon, we left about 3 hours in advance.
✅ If P1 or P2 are full, don't wait around.
I highly recommend parking in P3, even if it's a bit of a hassle!!
While you'll have the inconvenience of taking a shuttle bus,
I think it's better than waiting an hour for parking.
We quickly finished parking and departure procedures,
had time to browse the duty-free shops, and boarded the plane.
The plane took off without any delays, so it was lucky from the start!
Fukuoka is closer than Jeju,
and less than 30 minutes after takeoff, we were already preparing to land.
After arriving at the airport and picking up our luggage, we immediately headed to Hakata Station.
The travel time from the airport to Hakata was actually longer
than the flight itself 🫠
Arrived at Hakata Station.
Having been here often, I can navigate it perfectly even without Google Maps.
Before coming to Fukuoka, I had pre-booked the
Hiroshima & Yamaguchi Pass, so I went to the ticket machine to pick it up.
There are no direct flights from Busan to Hiroshima, so we had to take the Shinkansen from Hakata, and since our inbound and outbound flights were via Hakata-Busan, I bought the pass.
Even just for a round trip from Hakata Station to Hiroshima, the Hiroshima & Yamaguchi Pass
is a great deal.
▼ For a detailed review of using the pass ▼
Before boarding the Shinkansen, we stopped by a convenience store
to grab a bento box, some onigiri, and a beer to enjoy on the train.
When it comes to Shinkansen, an Ekiben (station bento) is an absolute must!
After about an hour and a half on the Shinkansen, we arrived at Hiroshima Station!
As we stepped off the train, the sun was already starting to set.
The sad reality of travelers from further regions — just arrived and the sun is already setting ㅠㅠ
Our 2-Night, 3-Day Accommodation in Hiroshima
Typically, most people choose accommodations in Hatchobori, the bustling downtown area of Hiroshima,
but we opted for a hotel that suited our itinerary and offered convenient transportation.
It was a 5-minute walk from Hiroshima Station, had clean facilities, and spacious rooms.
We booked a triple room for a price in the early ~$69 range.
Okonomiyaki Momijitei
When in Hiroshima, you simply *must* try okonomiyaki since it's what the city is famous for!
So, we made our way to a highly-rated okonomiyaki spot I’d found earlier!
We arrived around 6:20 PM, and luckily, we were the first ones waiting!
After a quick 10-minute wait, we were ushered right in.
As soon as you place your order, they start cooking it fresh on the sizzling teppan right before your eyes.
And yes, I made sure to get permission to film!
You know I couldn't resist a nice cold beer!
I've had plenty of okonomiyaki in Osaka as well,
and honestly, I can't quite say which city's version is 'better' – they're both amazing!
However, the major difference is that Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, unlike Osaka-style,
incorporates yakisoba or udon noodles. That's the real game-changer!
My first meal in Hiroshima was an absolute triumph – what a way to start the trip!
Just a heads-up: with all those noodles, the portion is seriously generous, so I'd recommend sticking to the small size if you don't want to burst! T.T
Animate
After our delicious meal, I spotted an Animate store nearby and couldn't resist popping in for a look.
I tried my luck with some gacha capsules and browsed all the amazing Demon Slayer anime goods,
but alas, no Giyu figure to be found here either.
Honestly, at this point, I'm starting to think Giyu is actively avoiding me!
If you're a fan of gacha or anime figures, this place is an absolute must-visit!
Hondori Shopping Street
Afterward, to help walk off our delicious meal,
I took a leisurely stroll through Hondori Shopping Street, soaking in the sights.
Every time I visit Japan, I'm reminded of something amazing:
how incredibly vibrant and well-established their covered shopping streets are.
They're perfect for strolling, even on rainy days, offering tons of things to see and delicious bites to eat,
so even without a specific plan, just wandering around was an absolute joy!
As I wandered and explored, I slowly started thinking about heading out for a second round of fun for the evening,
and this time, I had my heart set on visiting a traditional Japanese 'snack bar'!
The shop's name, if you translate it into English, is 'Bar 500',
and I was even more drawn to it because every single alcoholic drink on the menu was just 500 yen! What a deal!
Plus, it stays open late, so there was absolutely no reason not to check it out!
The inside was small and cozy, with a wonderfully authentic local vibe – the kind of place where everyone knows each other.
What was really interesting was that when new customers arrived, the patrons already there would actually greet them!
Even though it's a place where smoking is permitted,
when I mentioned that smoking isn't allowed in bars back in Korea,
everyone there actually refrained from smoking!
I've traveled to many different places in Japan, but honestly, I don't think anywhere has been quite as friendly and welcoming as Hiroshima.
The place is run by a wonderful male owner all by himself,
and there's no fixed menu.
He offers about 2-3 types of daily snacks (anju),
all prepared with ingredients he buys fresh from the market each day.
These are truly authentic, homemade snacks you'd never find at a typical chain izakaya!
I quickly bonded with the Japanese folks sitting next to me,
and as we chatted and drank,
the owner suddenly asked, 'Would you like to sing a song?'
And then he sang a song to welcome me! So incredibly sweet...
Even though we were complete strangers, that moment of being welcomed and enjoying ourselves together with everyone,
it was truly special.
It's this unique warmth and charm of local pubs
that always made me want to experience a 'snack bar' (스나쿠) at least once,
and experiencing it firsthand, it was even better than I imagined!
We drank until the trams stopped running,
so we took a taxi back to our accommodation.
From Hondori downtown to the station, it was approximately ~$8
Next up: Day 2. The real adventure in Hiroshima begins!
If P1 or P2 at Gimhae Airport are full, it is recommended to park in P3. Although P3 requires the inconvenience of using a shuttle bus, it is mentioned to be better than waiting an hour for a parking spot.
The author stayed at Nest Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae. This accommodation is located a 5-minute walk from Hiroshima Station, and its facilities were clean and the rooms were spacious. A triple room was booked for around ~$69.
The author visited Okonomiyaki Momijitei. They arrived around 6:20 PM, waited for about 10 minutes, and then entered. A characteristic of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is that it is made with yakisoba or udon noodles, unlike Osaka-style.
'Bar 500' is a place where all alcoholic beverages are ~$3. It is run solely by a male owner, and snacks are provided daily, with 2-3 dishes made from ingredients bought that day. It operates late and has a local regular customer vibe.
Discover more travel stories curated around the same theme.
Discover Hiroshima's best spots for anime figures, gacha, and character goods near Hondori. Explore Animate, Lashinbang, and more for unique finds!
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Planning a trip to Hiroshima in 2026? Discover a unique 5-day itinerary exploring Fukuyama, Tomonoura, and Onomichi, complete with transport tips and budget insights.
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Traveling from Onomichi to Hiroshima? Discover the pros and cons of the Flower Liner bus versus the JR Sanyo Line train for a smooth journey with your luggage in 2026.
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[JR Hiroshima & Yamaguchi Pass] Worth it even with just two Shinkansen rides
Nest Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae · 3-11 Kojinmachi, Minami Ward, Hiroshima, 732-0807, Japan
Okonomiyaki Teppan-yaki Momiji-Tei · Japan, 〒730-0031 Hiroshima, Naka Ward, Kamiyacho, 2 Chome−3−10 リブレ紙屋町ビル302号
Animate Hiroshima · 2 Chome-3-1 Otemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0051, Japan
Hondori Shopping Street · 7 Hondori, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0035, Japan
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