A Budget Travelers Guide To Hiroshima

Hiroshima is one of the great travel destinations of Japan. A city with a solemn past, many people come for the history, as well as its great food, friendly locals, and large number of inexpensive or free cultural sites – all of which make it the perfect budget destination.

Free sites

Peace Memorial Park

There are a number of moving statues and memorials to be found around this park. Highlights include the Atomic Bomb Dome – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the few surviving buildings from the hypocenter where the A-bomb was dropped – and the Flame of Peace, which has burned continuously since August 1964 and will not be distinguished until every nuclear weapon on earth is destroyed.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima Castle grounds

The original Hiroshima Castle, constructed in 1589 by the daimyo Mori Terumoto, was destroyed by the atomic bomb and rebuilt in 1958. Although there is an admission fee to enter the castle, you can roam the castle grounds for free. During the springtime, it’s a great spot to enjoy the cherry blossoms, with over 400 sakura trees.

Hiroshima Castle, Hiroshima, Japan

Mitaki-dera

This oft-overlooked Buddhist temple located just 20 minutes from the city center offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and 300 stone Buddha statues. A rustic tea house can be found within the temple grounds.

Mitaki-dera, Mitakiyama 411, Hiroshima, Japan, +81 08 2237 0811

Things to see and do for under ¥1,000

Peace Memorial Museum (cost: ¥50)

A must-see for any visitor to Hiroshima, the Peace Memorial Museum is a moving tribute to the day that changed Hiroshima City forever and probably the best ¥50 you can spend anywhere in Japan.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima, Japan, +81 82 241 4004

Shukkeien Garden and Prefectural Art Museum (cost: ¥600)

This beautiful and historic garden located in central Hiroshima was once a private garden that belonged to a feudal lord of Hiroshima. Designed by renowned tea ceremony master Ueda Soko in 1620, the park has a tea house where you can experience a traditional tea ceremony. For ¥600, a combined admission ticket can be purchased that offers access to the Prefectural Art Museum next door.

Miyajima Island (cost: ¥840)

Miyajima Island is home to Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima prefecture’s other UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located about an hour from Hiroshima City, it can be reached via the Hiroden streetcar and JR Ferry. Save on transportation fees by purchasing the Hiroden ‘1-Day Streetcar and Ferry Pass’ for ¥840. Many landmarks on Miyajima can be accessed for free, and you can skip the ropeway and hike to the top of Mount Misen for a 360 degree view of the island.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Itsukushima Shrine

Budget accommodation

If you’re traveling solo, spend the night at one of the city’s hostels which start from ¥2,500 per night. For couples and families, Ikawa Ryokan is an affordably-priced Japanese inn located to the west of the Peace Park with rooms that start at under ¥5,000 a night per person (breakfast and dinner are separate).

Iwakan Ryokan, Dohashicho 5-11, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Japan, +81 08 2231 5058

Affordable gourmet food

The term ‘B-class gourmet’ (B級グルメ) refers to quality food found at affordable prices, and Hiroshima has a big reputation for it.

Okonomiyaki

Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the main rival to Osaka-style okonomiyaki, makes for a filling yet reasonably priced meal. Check out Okonomi-mura (‘Okonomi Village’) which offers two floors of street food, including over a dozen okonomiyaki shops.

Okonomi-mura, Shintenchi 5-13, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Japan, +81 08 2241 2210

Oysters

Oysters are considered by many people to be a luxury, but Hiroshima is a place where world-class oysters can be enjoyed for very little. During oyster season, Hiroshima Oyster Road opens up along the shoreline of the Seto Inland Sea with around 10 oyster huts offering fresh, affordable oysters from mid-October to late May. The closest to Hiroshima City is Kakigoya Ujina, located in Hiroshima Minato Koen Park.

Kakigoya Ujina, Ujinakaigan 1-14 Hiroshima Minato Koen Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Japan, +81 080 1630 8970

Ramen and tsukemen

Ramen is a popular budget food anywhere you go in Japan, and Hiroshima is no exception. In Hiroshima City, enjoy the local style of shoyu-tonkotsu ramen that’s a hybrid of Tokyo and Hakata styles. Check it out at Fujiwara Ramen, which also offers tsukemen, a dish of soupless ramen noodles eaten with a concentrated dipping sauce that’s even more popular than ramen in Hiroshima.

Fujiwara Ramen, Otemachi 1-7-20, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Japan, +81 80 2504 7215

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