Where to stay in Hiroshima?

To stay in Hondori: downtown Hiroshima

Located in the Naka-ku district in the south of Hiroshima, the Hondori district is one of the central areas of the megalopolis, where you'll find the Hondori market, one of the largest and liveliest in Hiroshima.

It's also the name of one of the area's most famous shopping streets, bustling day and night. In fact, in the evening, the main street and its adjoining lanes are lit up by the neon lights of taverns and pubs. To stay here is ideal for those looking for a lively nightlife.

Finally, if you choose to stay in this district, you'll be close to one of its typical spots called Okonomimura, which literally translates as okonomiyaki village. It's a three-storey food court where several stalls are grouped together to offer okonomiyaki, a typical Hiroshima savory pancake.

Of course, as Hondori is centrally located, staying here will put you at a reasonable distance from the must-see tourist attractions during your stay. Among others, we recommend

• Hiroshima Orizuru Tower,
• Hiroshima Castle,
• Shukkei-en Garden.

The city center is Hiroshima's liveliest area. Restaurants are plentiful and offer more than just Japanese cuisine. Accommodation is also plentiful, ranging from the more traditional ryokan to the more modern Western-style. In terms of budget, an average budget will suffice to easily find accommodation.

The center is well served by streetcar, so you won't have to worry about planning your visits. The station is a 25-minute walk away, or 15 minutes by streetcar. Generally speaking, however, staying in the center of town means you can stroll around on foot, as it's not very spread out.

Accommodation near Peace Memorial Park

Peace Memorial Park is located west of the city center on a small island surrounded by the River Ota in Naka-ku district. The area is very close to Hondori, only a 10-minute walk away!

This park, which has become an emblem of remembrance of the atrocities of war, is visited daily by tourists from all over the world. To stay in this area, you'll have easy access.

Staying in this historic area of Hiroshima means you'll be close to both the center and the monuments connected to the park. Indeed, there are no fewer than sixty monuments erected in memory of this tragic event that marked the country's history.

We therefore recommend that you stay here, as you'll be close to:

• Genbaku Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a symbol of peace for humanity,
• the Flame of Peace,
• the Cenotaph,
• the Peace Memorial Museum,
• the Children's Peace Monument, erected in memory of Sadako Sasaki, who died as a result of radiation.

When it comes to accommodation, you'll find what you're looking for with hotels, apartments and hostels. This sector also caters for all budgets. You can find very affordable accommodation, as well as a little more expensive. However, this is a tourist area, so if you're looking for peace and quiet, this is not the place to stay.

To stay in this area means you'll be close to everything. You won't need to bother with public transport, as everything is within walking distance. But if you ever want to go further afield, the tramway also serves this area very well.

To stay near Hiroshima Central Station

There are many advantages to staying near Hiroshima Central Station.

The first, and by no means least, is that it's located in the city center, in a lively district. You'll find stores and restaurants close to your room. You'll also find it easy to visit Hiroshima's landmarks.

Staying close to the train station also allows you to visit Japan in a more global way. If you choose to stay in this area, you'll be able to get to the station more quickly and spend a day wandering around Hiroshima's neighboring cities. The Shinkansen, the local train, will also be more easily accessible to get you around the country.

This area is also home to places worth visiting, such as the Enko River and its bridge. This bridge has become a historic landmark, as it was over this bridge that the inhabitants were able to escape following the Hiroshima bomb explosion.

In terms of accommodation, the station is a central point for both tourism and business travel, and many hotels are located in the area. The offer is wide and varied. There's also a wide range of prices, from low-cost to more expensive and luxurious.

The station area is well served by streetcar and bus, making access to the city center easy. However, as the station is ideally located, it's only a 30-minute walk to Genbaku Dome, for example.

Accommodation in Yokogawa: retro sector

Located northwest of Hiroshima, Yokogawa is a vintage spot to stay. If you choose to stay here, you'll be stepping back in time to the Showa era, a period that stretches from 1926 to 1989. This area seems to have survived the passage of time to retain its traditional Japanese feel even today.

If you're looking to stay in an authentic neighborhood, Yokogawa is the place for you. In its center, you'll find an old shopping street full of small shops selling old books and trinkets. This street was renovated a few years ago, and now new, more modern stores mingle with the older ones, including restaurants, bars, stalls selling local specialties and alcohol.

Staying in this district will immerse you in a friendly atmosphere far removed from the trendy bars and restaurants of other parts of Hiroshima. Yokogawa is lively during the day, with its many shopping streets attracting many people. In the evening, the atmosphere is more relaxed. Locals gather at bars and restaurants in a relaxed atmosphere. If you move away from these alleys, you'll find a quieter atmosphere.

This rather unusual area appeals not only to tourists, but also to locals, who like to come here to recall memories of an era forgotten by the rest of the city. Finding a good place to stay can be tricky, but prices are affordable.

Staying in Yokogawa will take you away from the well-known tourist sites of the city center, but the streetcar and train services in the area will take you there easily.

To stay in Nagarekawa: festive atmosphere guaranteed

Nagarekawa is an area of the city center that lies close to the Hondori and Hatchobori districts. Its name means “flowing river”, because before it became the district it is today, it was a canal.

Nagarekawa has the most restaurants and bars in the city. It also boasts a number of nightclubs, including Smappers and Jamaica. If you choose to stay here, you'll get a taste of the lively nightlife. It's a very lively district, especially in the evenings. The streets are lit up by the neon lights of the various businesses.

This area has several lively streets, notably Nagarekawa, but also others such as Yagenbori and Butsudan. If you choose to stay in these streets, you'll benefit from their entertainment. There are also restaurants serving the local specialty, okonomiyaki.

To stay in this part of Hiroshima means you'll be close to the Mitaki temple and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Accommodation is plentiful, as it's in the city center and close to lively districts like Hondori. Prices are attractive, and you can find low-cost accommodation as well as accommodation in the mid-price range.

This district is within walking distance, and you can even reach the central Hondori district on foot. Alternatively, if you want to travel further afield in Hiroshima, there are streetcars in the area.

Staying on Itsukushima Island: a Japanese landmark

Miyajima, also known as Itsukushima, is an island sanctuary in Hiroshima Bay. With its famous red torii and Shinto shrine floating in the water, it's one of the top 3 most beautiful places to see in Japan. What's more, its torii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From Hiroshima, you can take a 20-minute ferry ride to the island. Unlike other parts of Hiroshima, Miyajima is a peaceful place to stay.

While staying on the island, you'll have the opportunity to sample culinary specialties such as momiji-manju and hot oysters. You can also visit tourist attractions such as Mount Misen, Momijidani Park, Daisho-in Temple and Itsukushima-jinja Shrine. The attractions are all within easy walking distance.

As one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, accommodation is not only scarce due to its small size, but also very expensive. However, you'll find both classic and more traditional accommodations, such as ryokan. To stay here will give you peace and quiet, because despite its popularity, many tourists can't afford to stay in this area because it's so expensive, so they head back to Hiroshima at the end of the day.