Exploring Hiroshima’s turbulent past on two wheels sounds like an intriguing way to gain a deeper understanding of the city’s resilience and commitment to peace. This guided cycling tour allows visitors to enjoy the city’s history, visiting poignant landmarks and hearing first-hand accounts from local experts. While the subject matter is undoubtedly heavy, the tour’s flexibility and small group size suggest it could be an enriching and thoughtful experience for those looking to connect with Hiroshima’s legacy on a more personal level.
Key Points
- A 2-hour cycling tour through Hiroshima’s local area, visiting key historical sites like the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome.
- Explore Hiroshima’s reconstruction and local sentiments from 70 years ago, guided by knowledgeable local guides sharing personal stories.
- Ride electric bicycles as part of a small group (up to 10 participants) for an immersive and personalized experience.
- Flexible cancellation policy and various payment options available, ensuring a seamless booking process.
- Highly rated by travelers, with positive feedback on friendly and informative guides, engaging stories, and overall value for money.
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Tour Overview
The Hiroshima: Peace Cycling Tour with Local Guide offers a captivating 2-hour experience for visitors to explore Hiroshima’s significant historical sites related to the atomic bombing.
Priced from $59.21 per person, the small-group tour (limited to 10 participants) provides an immersive way to discover the city’s resilience and reconstruction.
Participants can ride electric bicycles, learn from knowledgeable English-speaking guides, and visit the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, and historic streetcars.
With a flexible cancellation policy and payment options, this tour promises an engaging and memorable journey through Hiroshima’s poignant past.
Experience Highlights
Participants can expect an immersive experience as they ride electric bicycles through Hiroshima’s local area, visiting significant heritage sites related to the atomic bombing.
The tour offers a unique perspective, allowing visitors to:
- Learn about Hiroshima’s reconstruction and local sentiments towards the Peace Park from 70 years ago.
- Visit the iconic Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome, and see the A-Bombed Streetcars still in operation.
- Gain insights from local guides who share personal stories and experiences related to Hiroshima’s history.
This cycling tour provides a powerful and poignant way to understand the city’s resilience and its ongoing commitment to peace.
Tour Itinerary
The tour begins with participants meeting up at the Rest House of Hiroshima Peace Park, which is easily accessible via the Hiroshima Electric Railway (just 20 minutes from Hiroshima Station).
At 11:05 AM or 3:05 PM, the group sets off to explore the Peace Memorial Park, learning about Hiroshima’s reconstruction and the local sentiments from 70 years ago.
Next, they’ll visit the iconic A-Bombed Streetcars still in operation and discover the surrounding local suburbs.
The tour concludes at 1:00 PM or 5:00 PM, though an optional extension to the Atomic Bomb Museum is available for an additional fee.
Meeting Point
The Rest House of Hiroshima Peace Park serves as the convenient meeting point for this cycling tour. Accessible via the Hiroshima Electric Railway, the location is only a 20-minute ride from Hiroshima Station.
This meeting spot offers several advantages:
- Easy to find and reach for participants
- Connects to the Peace Memorial Park for a seamless start to the tour
- Provides a comfortable space to gather before setting off on the cycling adventure
With this central and accessible meeting point, the tour gets off to a smooth and efficient start, allowing participants to maximize their time exploring Hiroshima’s significant historical sites.
Schedule
The tour kicks off promptly at 11:00 for the morning session and 15:00 for the afternoon session.
After meeting up, you’ll dive right into the Peace Memorial Park tour, learning about Hiroshima’s reconstruction and local perspectives.
At noon/4 pm, you’ll visit the iconic A-Bombed Streetcars and explore the surrounding neighborhoods, enjoying the city’s history.
The tour wraps up at the meeting point by 1 pm/5 pm.
For those interested, there’s an optional, additional hour-long visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum for a deeper dive, paid separately.
Equipment and Requirements
Rental bicycles, English-speaking guides, and insurance for bicycle accidents are all included in this tour, ensuring a seamless and worry-free experience.
Participants are encouraged to bring comfortable shoes, a towel, drinks, and clothes to match the weather. The tour isn’t suitable for individuals under 4 ft 8 in (145 cm), but children’s bicycles and baby trailers are available, making it an accessible option for families.
With these provisions in place, adventurers can fully enjoy the rich history and scenic cycling routes Hiroshima has to offer during this captivating tour.
Bicycle Options
While the tour offers a range of bicycle options to accommodate different heights and age groups, it’s worth noting that adult electric bicycles are the primary mode of transportation for participants 145 cm or taller. For children between 110-145 cm, traditional bicycles are available. For infants, there are even baby trailers provided at no additional cost, though they do have weight limits. This variety ensures that everyone in the group, from the smallest to the tallest, can comfortably and safely explore Hiroshima’s historical sites on two wheels.
| Bicycle Options | Height Requirement | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Electric Bicycles | 145 cm or taller | Primary mode |
| Children’s Bicycles | 110 cm to 145 cm | Available |
| Baby Trailers | No height requirement | Free of charge |
Customer Feedback
Customers thoroughly enjoyed their experience on the Hiroshima Peace Cycling Tour, awarding it an impressive 4.8/5 overall rating based on nearly 200 reviews.
Participants praised the friendly and informative guides, with one from Australia calling out Shin for his excellent service.
A traveler from the U.S. appreciated the engaging guide, Moe-San, who shared Hiroshima’s history and taught some Japanese.
Another Australian reviewer found the tour amazing and recommended it to friends.
With high marks across transportation, value for money, and the overall experience, this tour offers an immersive way to explore Hiroshima’s moving history.
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Things To Know
Can I Bring My Own Electric Bicycle on the Tour?
Unfortunately, you can’t bring your own electric bicycle on this tour. The tour provides rental bicycles that are included in the price, and they don’t allow participants to use their own bikes. The rental bikes are an essential part of the experience.
Are Photos Allowed During the Tour?
Photos are generally allowed during the tour, but it’s best to check with the guide first out of respect for the sites and fellow participants. The guides are usually happy to help you capture the meaningful moments of the experience.
Is There a Minimum Age Requirement for Participants?
The tour isn’t suitable for individuals under 4 ft 8 in (145 cm) in height. They do have children’s bicycles available for participants between 110 cm to 145 cm, so younger kids can join the tour as well.
Can I Request a Specific Tour Guide?
Requesting a specific tour guide may be possible, though it’s not explicitly mentioned in the tour details. It’s best to contact the tour operator in advance to inquire about guide preferences and availability.
Do I Need to Purchase the Museum Ticket in Advance?
No, you don’t need to purchase the Atomic Bomb Museum ticket in advance. According to the tour details, the museum visit is an optional add-on, and you can pay the 3,000 yen fee to the guide in cash during the tour.
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Sum Up
The Hiroshima: Peace Cycling Tour offers a deeply moving and immersive experience. Exploring the city’s poignant history on electric bikes, you’ll gain a profound understanding of Hiroshima’s resilience and commitment to peace. With knowledgeable local guides and a small group size, this tour provides an engaging and meaningful way to connect with the city’s past and present. It’s an absolute must for anyone visiting Hiroshima.