Cherry blossom and autumn leaves in Hiroshima and on Miyajima
The two seasons most visitors aim for, and the busy dates in between that change how a day trip runs.
Spring in Hiroshima belongs to the cherry trees along the rivers, autumn on Miyajima to the maples in the valley behind the shrine. Both seasons bring the most visitors of the year, so the tours and boats fill earlier than usual.
| When | What happens | What it means for a day trip |
|---|---|---|
| Late March to early April | Cherry blossom in Hiroshima, in 2026 from 19 March with the best days from around 29 March | Peace Memorial Park and Shukkeien at their fullest; book early |
| 29 April to 5 May | Golden Week holidays in Japan | Ferries and the museum crowded; tours fill up |
| June and July | Rainy season | Tours run in rain; pack for it |
| 6 August | Peace Memorial Ceremony | Museum open longer and very full |
| 8 to 16 August | Obon holidays | Full trains and museum; buy the museum web ticket early |
| Late summer | Typhoon season | Ropeway and boats can stop in strong wind |
| From 15 October | Autumn hours at the shrine | Itsukushima Shrine closes at 17:30 until the end of November |
| Mid to late November | Maple leaves at Momijidani and on Mount Misen | The busiest weeks on Miyajima; go early or on a weekday |
Dates for 2026 from japan-guide.com and watabi.org; autumn colour timing varies by year and starts earlier higher up Mount Misen.
Cherry blossom in Hiroshima
In 2026 the first blossoms in Hiroshima opened on 19 March, and the best viewing in the Peace Memorial Park started around 29 March and lasted about a week. About 300 cherry trees line the river there. Shukkeien garden was at its best a few days earlier than the park and lit its trees in the evening until 5 April. The grounds of Hiroshima Castle, free to enter, bloom at about the same time as the park. For 2027 a similar window at the end of March and the start of April is likely, but the exact days depend on the weather of the weeks before.
A day tour in this season follows its usual route, so the blossom in the Peace Memorial Park comes with the morning programme. If you want time for Shukkeien or the castle grounds, a tour from Hiroshima Station that ends in the early afternoon, or a private guide, leaves room for it.
Autumn leaves on Miyajima
The maples of Momijidani Park, the valley behind the Itsukushima Shrine where the Misen ropeway starts, usually turn in the second half of November. Higher up on Mount Misen the colour comes earlier. Weekends are the most crowded, and the paths near the shrine are quieter early in the morning before the day-trip groups arrive. From 15 October the shrine closes at 17:30, half an hour earlier than in summer.
The Misen ropeway runs from 9:00 to 16:00, with the last ride down at 16:30, and stops in strong wind. On busy autumn days the queues at the lower station are long, so ride up early and leave the town for the afternoon. The half-day page has the details.
The tide in any season
Blossom and leaves do not change the tide. Whether the torii stands in the sea when you arrive still depends on the water level of that day, from about 250 cm at Hiroshima Port for the floating view to about 100 cm or less for walking out. See the tide times page before you fix your date.
Summer, rain and the memorial dates
June and July are the rainy season, and the tours run in rain; one guest on the H.I.S. bus wrote about a good day "despite the weather". Late summer brings typhoons, which can stop the ropeway and the boats. On 6 August the city holds the Peace Memorial Ceremony, and the Obon holidays in mid-August fill the trains and the museum. The Peace Memorial Park page explains what that means for a visit.
FAQ
When do the cherry trees bloom in Hiroshima?
Usually at the end of March and the start of April. In 2026 the first blossoms opened on 19 March and the best days in the Peace Memorial Park began around 29 March.
When are the autumn leaves best on Miyajima?
Usually in the second half of November at Momijidani Park, earlier higher up Mount Misen.
Is Miyajima crowded in autumn?
Yes, autumn is the busiest time on the island, especially at weekends. Early mornings near the shrine are quieter.
Do day tours run in the rainy season?
Yes. The tours keep to their programme in rain; the Misen ropeway and the boats can stop in strong wind or storms.
What are the busiest dates for a Hiroshima day trip?
Golden Week from 29 April to 5 May, 6 August, the Obon week in mid-August, and the cherry blossom and autumn leaf weeks.