We spent two days in Hiroshima, flying from Haneda Airport to Hiroshima Airport.
On the first day, we walked through the charming town of Takehara, soaking in its historical streets and peaceful atmosphere.
On the second day, we visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, both deeply moving.
Where to stay
We decided to stay at Hilton Hiroshima this time. There are quite a few good hotels in Hiroshima, and it was hard to choose just one—but we went with Hilton because of its high reviews and relaxing amenities. The hotel has a spa, sauna, and indoor pool, which made it a perfect place to unwind after a full day of exploring. Built in September 2022, the hotel still feels fresh—its facilities were spotless and beautifully maintained. We were fortunate to visit during the off-season on a weekday, which meant the sauna and pool were blissfully quiet.
The breakfast was buffet-style, with plenty of options—including some local foods we were happy to try.
The hotel is located in the center of Hiroshima, making it easy to find restaurants and convenience stores nearby—there was no issue at all.
- From JR Hiroshima Station, it’s about 2.0 km: 🚶approximately 30-minute walk or 🚕 just 10 minutes by taxi.
- From the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, it’s even closer—1.2 km, which takes 🚶around 18 minutes on foot or 🚕 6 minutes by taxi.
This central location made it easy to explore the city without stress, and the abundance of nearby dining options added to the comfort of our stay.
Local Foods to Try
One of the best things about traveling in Japan is enjoying local foods—and Hiroshima is no exception. The region is well-known for its oysters (牡蠣), and okonomiyaki (お好み焼き). You cannot miss Uni Hōren (うにホーレン), a sizzling teppan dish made with fresh sea urchin, spinach, and often served with garlic toast. “Uni horen” comes from uni (雲丹/ sea urchin) and horenso (ほうれん草/ spinach), is a beloved dish by locals.
We had okonomiyaki at Kokichi (こきち), a cozy spot located close to the Hilton Hiroshima. Once customers order their okonomiyaki, the staff begins preparing it right in front of you—especially if you’re seated at the counter. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is famous for its layered structure, with noodles tucked inside the egg and dough, creating a unique combination of textures and flavors in a single dish. I loved it.
We also enjoyed Uni Hōren at Teppanya Benbe Hacchobori (弁兵衛, 八丁堀店), a casual izakaya with a relaxed atmosphere. The Uni Hōren was amazing —a totally new way for me to experience it—and surprisingly tasty. It was one of those unexpected highlights that made the trip even more memorable.
Teppan-yaki History
It’s easy to wonder why Hiroshima is so famous for teppan-yaki (鉄板焼き / iron plate grilling), especially its iconic okonomiyaki. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, okonomiyaki traces its roots to a pre-war dish known as issen yōshoku (一銭洋食/ one cent Western meal. Originally a simple pancake made with flour and basic toppings, it was a humble street food enjoyed by working-class locals.
After World War II, as Hiroshima began its long journey of recovery, issen yōshoku evolved into a heartier, layered dish. In those days, Hiroshima was home to many steel factories, which meant teppan (鉄板/ iron plate griddles) were relatively easy to obtain. This availability helped popularize teppan-style cooking,