Where to Stay in Hiroshima: Our Best Hotel Picks

The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Hiroshima

To give you a quick overview of the best hotel picks in Hiroshima for your Japan trip planning, here’s a brief introduction to the three neighborhoods we recommend for your stay.

• Ekinishi: perfect if you’re only in Hiroshima for a short time and want to see as much as possible.
• Fukuromachi: ideal if you want to stay right next to the most important attractions.
• Nagarekawa: the best choice if you’re coming to Hiroshima for its famous restaurants and nightlife.

We’ve marked all three neighborhoods on a map and will introduce each one in detail below, along with our hotel recommendations.

Staying in Ekinishi

Ekinishi is the smartest pick if you’re just passing through Hiroshima and want to pack in as much as possible in a short time.

Staying in Ekinishi is a strategically great choice — the neighborhood sits right between the city center and the train station, which is why you’ll find the biggest concentration of hotels here.

You’ll also have a huge selection of bars and restaurants. Everything from cheap drinks to upscale oyster bars is on offer. On top of that, the area has a retro, very Japanese feel. Truly charming!

You can reach the central Fukuromachi area with the most important things to see in Hiroshima on foot or by train. From Hiroshima Station, you can easily take day trips to Miyajima. Your best bet is to grab a Suica Card or, if you plan to travel by train a lot, the Japan Rail Pass.
Advantages of staying in Ekinishi:

• Large selection of hotels and budget accommodations
• Lots of bars and restaurants
• Close to the train station
• Quick access to the main attractions

Disadvantages of staying in Ekinishi:

• Very busy (though it quiets down once the trains stop running at night)
• You’re not right next to the main sights

Our Hotel Recommendations for Ekinishi

The Sotetsu Fresa Inn is just a five-minute walk from the station and is pleasantly quiet despite that — plus it’s a real bargain.

Staying in Fukuromachi

Fukuromachi is perfect if you want to be right in the thick of things and are giving yourself a few days to explore Hiroshima.

Fukuromachi is Hiroshima’s historic center and one of the most significant points of interest in Japan — an atomic bomb was dropped over the city during World War II, and that history is deeply present here.

Today you can see the ruins of the elementary school that was struck and visit the Peace Park. You’ll also find Hiroshima Castle here, which is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season in Japan.

The selection of restaurants and shops is enormous, and the neighborhood draws a lot of visitors.

Advantages of staying in Fukuromachi:

• You’re staying in Hiroshima’s tourist center
• Very central and well connected
• Many attractions nearby

Disadvantages of staying in Fukuromachi:

• The proximity to the Peace Park can feel heavy
• Fewer hotel options than Ekinishi

Our Hotel Recommendations for Fukuromachi

We stayed at the Hiroshima Washington Hotel. The value for money is excellent, the rooms are spacious, and there’s a great selection of restaurants nearby.

If you want something a bit more upscale, we’d suggest The Knot. This modern hotel even has a lovely rooftop bar.

Staying in Nagarekawa

Nagarekawa is the right choice if you want great restaurants right outside your hotel door and enjoy going out in the evenings.

Nagarekawa is a lively district in Hiroshima packed with bars and restaurants. The culinary highlight is the food court Okonomimura, which serves exclusively the local specialty okonomiyaki in all kinds of variations. Seriously — don’t miss it.

Beyond that, the neighborhood is known for its nightlife and the many shopping options. The city center with the main sights, as well as the train station, are easy to reach on foot.

Advantages of staying in Nagarekawa:

• Lots of bars and restaurants
• Attractions are nearby
• The train station and city center are easy to reach on foot or by train

Disadvantages of staying in Nagarekawa:

• Very touristy
• Only a few upscale hotels

Our Hotel Recommendations for Nagarekawa

You can’t go wrong with the Smile Hotel Hiroshima. The rooms are cozy with comfortable beds, breakfast is delicious, and the location is great too.