Hiroshima vs Seattle

Hiroshima

Hiroshima has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, winters are mild compared to northern Japan, and spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage are spectacular. The rainy season (tsuyu) runs from mid-June to mid-July.

Seattle

Seattle has a temperate oceanic climate — mild year-round with a pronounced wet season from October through April. Summers are dry, sunny, and cool. The famous rain is usually a fine drizzle ("Seattle mist") rather than downpours. Snow at sea level is rare.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima has an extensive streetcar (tram) network — the oldest and largest in Japan — supplemented by buses and a good cycling infrastructure. The tram system connects the station to Peace Park, the castle, and the Miyajima ferry terminal. An IC card (ICOCA/Suica) works on all public transport.

Walkability: Hiroshima is very walkable within the central area. Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Castle, and Shukkeien Garden are all within a 25-minute walk of each other. The flat river delta terrain and well-maintained sidewalks make walking easy. The Hondori shopping arcade provides covered walking in any weather.

Seattle

Seattle transit is run by Sound Transit (regional) and King County Metro (buses, streetcar, water taxi). Light rail, buses, streetcars, and Washington State Ferries form a useful network. An ORCA card works across all systems. Driving downtown is painful — traffic is consistently ranked among America's worst.

Walkability: Downtown, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, and Seattle Center are all walkable — but prepare for steep hills. Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Fremont are each walkable neighborhoods, but you'll want transit between them. The Link light rail plus walking will cover most of what you want to see.