I’ve recently really fallen in love with Hiroshima. Hiroshima with kids and Hiroshima without kids.
So much so that I know feel a bit guilty for visiting more often when I was an exchange student in a neighbouring prefecture as it was an hour or so away at the time ( but… then again… I have a feeling that my 16 year old priorities may have been slightly different..? Perhaps?)
Hiroshima is, of course, famous for the Peace Park, Peace Memorial and the Peace Museum – but there is also a quaint cafe culture here, a deep love and devotion to Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and a sentimental tone to the city itself. I recommend NOT rushing Hiroshima and definitely not just doing Hiroshima in a single day. If you are rushed, I believe 3 days is probably the minimal amount to make sure you can take a streetcar and explore, visit the museum, visit the stunning Shukkeien Gardens and also spend one day (and/or one night) on Miyajima Island.
The main tourist attractions are worth visiting and properly taking in without having to watch the clock but I also encourage you to take some early morning riverside walks ( which the riverside footpaths are well equipped for) and just drinking in the vibe of the city. The people are kind, positive and lack that big city urgency that you find in other parts of Japan.
I’m also so impressed at how much is going on in Hiroshima too in terms of cool dining areas and high end shopping ( Guccis’ and Tiffanys’) to lots of big brands like H&M , Zara etc. and large spacious stores and shopping arcades filled with Japanese brands as well .
I encourage you to explore the bustling area of Hatchobori and Otemachi as well as the Hiroshima Station area.
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Planning for your time in Hiroshima
I recommend staying in Hiroshima for at least one night, preferably two.
It is important to give almost a full day to the stunning Miyajima Island, without also rushing through the Peace Museum and Park.
Please note: many people don’ t realize that Hiroshima is 1.5 hours on the bullet train from Osaka and more than 3 hours from Tokyo.
If you’re interested in taking part in a tea ceremony I recommend visiting Shukkeien Gardens as it is one of the few places you can take part in a tea ceremony with small children.
Travel tips:
Unlike many other Japanese major cities, Hiroshima will require you to ride buses and trams – some of which do not always accept icoca or Suica cards so it’s a good idea to have cash on hand in Hiroshima.
*Also, if someone in your group has mobility issues or you are stuck for time to see the sights in Hiroshima, it is possible to organise for an English speaking driver while in Hiroshima – and I recommend this company TokudAw as they only use legally registered vehicles and drivers and also can provide child and baby car seats AND they can also accommodate wheelchair users. This company offer a full service transfer (providing child seats, pre-meetings with clients online so that they can match their needs and the kind of holiday they are after.) I’ve also been so impressed how helpful they have been with helping my family problem solve regarding best times to travel and what my family needs. I love that they are also only use legally registered drivers and vehicles. Prices match the other legally registered companies offering similar services BUT with a much higher end service and with options such as baby and child-seats, customizable itineraries for tours, assistance with special needs and dietary requirements, language support etc. I highly recommend. If a beautiful service like this outside of your budget, I recommend looking into the Airport Limousine Bus service to and from airports and taxis for getting around (public transport is, of course, the most cost effective way to see Japan.)
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTION
*I also highly recommend looking into staying in a ryokan on Miyajima Island. Not many people do this but the island is such a gorgeous place to stay for the night.
If you are considering staying at Airbnb in Hiroshima, Guest blogger, Carla Middleton, recently stayed mostly at Airbnb in Japan ( Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo) and wrote in great detail about their fabulous trip staying in Airbnbs in Japan here.
Transportation
Did you know that, if you have a JR Pass, you can use the Hiroshima Loop Bus for free? And the JR Pass also includes the ferry to Hiroshima. More on the JR Pass here.
You’ll also be so pleasantly surprised to find that Hiroshima has streetcars ( I call them trams but that’s because I’m from Melbourne…) and the streetcar routes are planned well to help travellers and commuters get around the city.
Tip: Board at the back and pay for your ticket on the way out at the front.
All tickets are 180 yen UNLESS you are going to Miyajima which is a bit more ( changes depends on where you board.)
Read here for a very detailed description on how to board and pay for tickets on the Hiroshima Streetcars.
I actually find Hiroshima to be a very accessible city on foot too. I feel like everywhere I need to be is under 15 minutes walk away and I always love finding “treasures” while travelling on foot in Hiroshima – I like getting the full vibe of the city. Also, Hiroshima is pretty much completely flat so it’s easy walking ( and not tricky with a stroller.) I recommend long by-the-river walks as much as possible.
I always take a taxi on the first and last day when travelling to and from the station when I have a suitcase to lug around.
The main tourist attractions…
The main tourist attractions are very well visited by people all over the world are (and are so well visited as they are just so well done and moving.)
I have given some brief tips on these spots here. But, as these are so well-visited, I don’t feel that they need so much hand holding from me ( and I wanted to focus on the other parts as many people struggle with what to do, where to eat etc outside of these main spots. There is a lot of English signage and excellent bathroom and tourist information facilities in and around these main attractions.)
– The Peace Museum
This museum and the surrounding Peace Memorial Park the museum are just so moving.
Just a warning, it can be a bit much for ( and sometimes a bit boring) for little kids. So, I recommend starting it all as a family and then maybe, if travelling with two adults, taking turns looking after kids outside or in different sections so that you will have time to read and take in all of the information. The Peace Memorial Park has so many statues adorned with hand made paper cranes that it may be good for one parent to take children to explore the park with the kids and then switch with the other parent – in order to properly focus on the museum without being rushed on by little people.
– The Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima Peace Memorial, also known as Genbaku Dome)
This is an outdoor structure that is part of the Peace Memorial Park. It was originally the Hiroshima Industrial Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. The ruins of the hall has been kept has a reminder of those who perished on or as a result of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. It also show just how much the city was demolished by what happened and how well the city has done to rebuild.
This structure is 6 minutes walk from the museum. I would do the museum first and this second. There are also more eating and exploring options around the Atomic Bomb Dome side of the part so it makes adventures for later on a bit easier.
*Understandably, due to the powerful and moving nature of the Peace Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, you will most likely feel very emotional and quite down for a few hours afterwards. I think this is worth taking into consideration when planning your time in Hiroshima. I have a recommended playground for kids to play afterwards while everyone takes a minute to reboot. You may also want to plan something light and fun for afterwards such as going out for a fun interactive meal like the local favourite okonomiyaki or maybe this is the day to try karaoke? (Both Karaoke brands Joysound and Karaoke-Kan are in Hiroshima. Google your closest option. Round1 also has Karaoke.)
SEE HERE FOR STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON TAKING KIDS OUT TO KARAOKE IN JAPAN.
Just 1 minute walk from Genbaku Dome is Orizuru Tower. This tower has an observation deck at the top (spectacular up there for sunset on a clear day) and the inside contains what I consider to be like a children’s interactive museum – filled with activities like origami and the chance for children to play with traditional wooden Japanese toys.
The really good bit though ? The spiral slide down the middle of the building !(which they call the “spiral slope.” The slide runs from the 12th floor all the way down to the ground floor (there is an option to get off the slide at each floor though.)
The Orizuru Tower does allow passouts so ask for a stamp when you leave incase you all want to return again later (this is great for little kids who just want to get some wriggles out on the slide again later. AND if you’re travelling with more than 1 adult, one adult could stay and watch the kids while the other walks 1 minute away to check out Genbaku Dome on their own and really take in this special and significant place – and then adults can switch so the other can do the same.)
When visiting the observation deck, visitors will be asked to store large items in the coin lockers on the ground floor. Visitors can not consume food and drinks that have not been purchased at the observation deck cafe. The observation deck may close on windy days.
Sometimes, during winter, there are igloos set up on the observation deck.
There is a fence around the observation deck – so it is safe to visit with children.
ORIZURU TOWER, HIROSHIMA
広島市中区大手町一丁目2番1号
1-2-1 OOTEMACHI, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA (1 min walk from Genbaku Dome)
ENTRY FOR ADULTS: 2,200 YEN
ENTRY FOR JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS: 1,400 YEN
ENTRY FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS: 900 YEN
ENTRY FOR SMALL CHILDREN: 600 YEN
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL DONATION OFF 100 YEN ADDED TO THE COST AS A DONATION FOR THE ORIZURU TOWER BUILDING
-Shukkeien Gardens
These gardens should not be missed. With or without kids. This place is magical.
This is also a great place to take part in a tea ceremony. The tea ceremony is open April 1-Sept 30 9am-6pm and Oct 1-March 31 9am-5pm (Closed for the New Years Period)
Please note that all of Shukkeien is cash only.
Free volunteer guides are happy to take visitors around the park (in English or Japanese.)
There are lots of bright orange koi to spot in the park pond – kids love it.
There is a small souvenir shop and cafe just near the exit (open 9am-5pm.). There are also vending machines with hot and cold drinks.
SHUKKEIEN GARDEN
ENTRY FOR ADULTS: 260 YEN (Free if you are over 65.)
ENTRY FOR HIGH SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: 150YEN
ENTRY FOR ELEMENTARY & JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: 100 YEN
It’s a bit random, but if you’re in the Fav Hotel Heiwa Odori Hotel area or near the Inarimachi Tram Stop, I really like checking out and taking pictures of Florist Yagi. The exterior is just so extra. I love it. I’ve listed the opening hours below but, obviously, it doesn’t need to be open if you just want to check out the outside.
FLOWER SHOP FLORIST YAGI
広島市中区銀山町6-15
6-15 KANAYAMACHO, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN MIDDAY-6PM
CLOSED SUNDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
Where to eat with kids near Shukkeien Garden in Hiroshima?
Walk for 9 mins to Chikara Honkan for Udon, Tentoji Don (Tempura simmered in broth with cooked egg served on a bowl of rice), Curry Don (Japanese curry served on top of a bowl of rice), Chuukasoba (Japanese-style Chinese noodles in broth), Curry Udon, Kake Udon (Udon served in broth) or Tempura Udon (Tempura served on top of a bowl of udon in broth.)
This restaurant has wax replicas of all the meals in the window so you can also just point and order that way.
This restaurant is now cashless – card only. Chikara Honkan is 100 metres from Tram Stop “Ebisucho.” Every meal is under 1000 yen and they welcome children. Although it is in Japanese, here is a PDF food menu and the images give you a good idea of the menu ahead of time and show how you can choose how big a serving of rice you would like to order with your dish.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking. This is a super casual restaurant – a perfect reasonably priced option – so it’s the perfect place for everyone in the family to try something new without it breaking the bank if they decide it’s not their favourite (ie. not too much pressure.)
CHIKARA HONKAN, HIROSHIMA
広島市中区鉄胡町9-5
9-5 TETSU EBISUCHO, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN 11AM-8PM
A playground near the Hiroshima Peace Museum (7 mins walk/ 2 mins, approx 700 yen in a taxi from the Peace Museum)
Otemachi Daiichi Park is just on the other side of the river from the Hiroshima Peace Museum. It has a decent playground. There are also public toilets here. Slides, climbing frame and a couple of swings.
It’s not a beautiful or picturesque spot or anything but is a great spot for sitting on a bench while kids get some wriggles out.
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Freshly Squeezed Juice, Hot Dog, Calzone, Pizza, Ice-cream (6 mins walk from the Peace Museum)
This casual cafe is called Caffe Ponte and is set up by the river. There is outdoor seating under umbrellas, some indoor seating and take out is also welcomed. The staff here speak basic English and they are able to cater to vegetarians. In cherry blossom season this place is a gorgeous place to dine amongst the trees (but popular for this reason too.). This cafe/restaurant is entirely non-smoking. Yes, they do accept walk-ins and reservations. See the full Caffe Ponte menu here. To dine here for dinner I would budget around 3000 yen per adult but for lunch more like 2000 yen.
CAFFE PONTE
1-9-211 OTEMACHI, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN WEEKDAYS 10AM-10PM
OPEN WEEKENDS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 8AM-10PM (OPEN FROM 7:30AM IN AUGUST)
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Oysters (6 mins walk from the Peace Museum)
Hiroshima (and Miyajima in particular) is well-known for delicious fried oysters and a restaurant well-known for having excellent fried oysters is Ekohiiki, located near the Peace Museum (6 mins walk.) Most major credit cards accepted. No smoking at lunchtime but, please note, smoking is allowed at dinner.
EKOHIIKI
広島県中区大手町1-7-20
1-7-20 OTEMACHI, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11:30AM-2PM
OPEN FOR DINNER: 5PM-10:30PM
CLOSED FOR MONDAYS
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Salads, Croissants, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Home-made Granola, Smoothies (2 mins walk from the Peace Memorial Park)
Sheba Cafe has lots of fresh vegetables and veggies and is just across the bridge from the Peace Memorial Park. Staff speak English here. There is also a small corner with some toys and books for children. This cafe also has homemade granola and lots of salads and pastries like croissants. There is a kids menu and space to store a stroller while you dine. This cafe is cash only. This cafe does accept reservations.
SHEBA CAFE
広島市中区堺町1-1-3 サングリーン平和公園 1Ｆ
GROUND FLOOR, 1-1-3 SAKAIMACHI, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN MON-SAT 10AM-5PM (LAST ORDERS AT 4PM)
CLOSED SUNDAYS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS & THE FIRST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Sandwiches, Wedges and Coffee (13 mins walk from the Peace Museum)
Park South Sandwich is close to Nest Hatchobori, Kiro Hotel and Okonomimura (okonomiyaki restaurant area). Also 4 mins walk from Fukuromachi Station. There is a playground out front. The sandwiches are generously packed with salads and meats. This cafe is non-smoking and accepts most major credit cards. They have an English menu and space for strollers. They don’t take reservations.
They do, rent out deck chairs, for use in the park and they also sell picnic set meals for 1350 yen.
PARK SOUTH SANDWICH
広島市中区中町1-26
1-26 NAKAMACHI, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN EVERYDAY (EXCEPT FOR JAN 1) 8AM – 6PM (CLOSE AT 4PM ON SUNDAYS)
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Hiroshima Style Okonomiyaki (6 mins walk from the Peace Museum, 14 mins walk from Genbaku dome.)
There is a whole building full of places to eat Hiroshima Style Okonomiyaki at a place called Okonomi-Kyouwakoku (which translates to Okonomiyaki Republic.)
It’s super dooper casual and the okonomiyaki is cooked right in front of you so you can see it all being made and also make friends with the chef.
See here for my tips on how to order a vegetarian okonomiyaki.
There are lots of Okonomiyaki stands all next to one another.
Just choose a spot and sit down and then order. The chef’s are used to looking after diners from all over the world so don’t worry about the language barrier. They know enough to get by. It’s a really fun way to eat with kids as it’s so visual but also casual- it’s like you’re sitting at the counter in someone’s kitchen.
For kids who are learning Japanese, they can check their vocab as the ingredients are added and ask the chef “Sore wa ….. desu ka?” “Is that …… ?”
Here is a little vocab cheat sheet :
Egg = tamago
Cabbage = kyabetsu
Seaweed = nori
Pork = butaniku
When eating here I would budget a little under 1000 yen per person. You will need to pay with cash.
OKONOMI REPUBLIC
OPEN 11AM-11PM
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Casual Italian Food (8 mins walk from the Peace Museum)
Although okonomiyaki is “the thing” to eat in Hiroshima (head straight to Okonomimura if you’d like to try) , you may want a western option? The pizza at Parco della Pace is so good. I recommend the Margherita Pizza and Caprese Salad.
Open for lunch and dinner.
Takeout pizza is also an option.
PARCO DELLA PACE, HIROSHIMA
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-2PM
OPEN FOR DINNER 5:30PM-10PM
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Bakery, Patisserie and Cafe (11 mins walk/ 4 mins or 700 yen in a taxi from the Peace Museum)
Andersen Bakery‘s branch in Hiroshima is decorated beautifully and has so many bakery options to choose from. If coming from Hiroshima Station, it will take approximately 10 mins by taxi. You can also get to the bakery via streetcar (route 1) to Hondori Station then walk for two mins. Or you can take bus 101 or 102 from Hiroshima Station and get off at Hondori bus stop. They accept most major credit cards. The entire venue is non-smoking. They welcome kids here – in fact, the place is often full of young families on weekends.
It is a great spot for breakfast (note that it doesn’t open until 10am though and, I don’t know about you, but my kids are pretty much ready for lunch by then…so you may need to call it brunch.)
If you eat meat then I 10000% recommend getting the curry pan here (soft doughnut style bread filled with Japanese curry.)
ANDERSEN BAKERY, HIROSHIMA
広島市中区本通7-1
7-1 HONDORI, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN 10AM-7PM
CLOSED ON THE 3RD WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Vibey, Casual restaurant, Mexican Food
I recommend Mexican restaurant Cantina 23. Open from Midday until Midnight ( Closed on Wednesdays)
They accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. They also have a vegetarian menu. The vibe is very casual.
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Tonkatsu (4 mins walk from Hiroshima Train and Bullet Train Station)
I recommend this casual tonkatsu restaurant Tonkatsu Wako.They have high chairs here. They also accept most major credit cards. Walk ins only. See the full Tonkatsu Wako menu in English here.And the adorable kids menu plates here. Each kids meal comes with a small toy. This restaurant is just inside a small shopping mall called Fukuya.
TONKATSU WAKO, FUKUYA HIROSHIMA EKI MAE
広島市南区松原町9-1
9-1 MATSUBARA-CHO, MINAMI-KU, HIROSHIMA
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Bakery Restaurant (6 mins walk from the Peace Museum)
For a lovely vibey restaurant I recommend “More than” Hiroshima (book online here.). The entire restaurant is non-smoking and, as it is part of the The Knot hotel, they serve breakfast, lunch AND dinner. See here for the “More Than” Hiroshima menu. More Than is 15mins on the tram from Hiroshima Station or 9 mins by cab (approx 900 yen.). It’s also 5 mins walk from the Peace Museum.
They serve pizza and steak.
They accept most major credit cards. They welcome children but ask that you let them know if there will be more than 2 children in your group. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Japanese Curry Rice (with vegan and vegetarian options as well as chicken curry rice)
Cocoichibanya Curry has a few branches in the central Hiroshima area.
The Cocoichibanya Minaniku Nishikaniya Branch is 10 mins walk from Hiroshima Station or 5 mins (approx 700 yen) in a taxi.
Or 6 mins walk from the Atomic Bomb Dome is the Cocoichibanya Naka-ku Otemachi Branch.
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Gyoza, Ramen & Fried Chicken
And if you prefer a bustling restaurant for mingling with the locals, then I recommend Gyoza Bar Gyozaya Ryu. This pub serves gyoza, ramen, fried rice and fried chicken. There are several of these scattered all over Hiroshima.
Most major credit cards accepted. Many of their branches are on the second floor and remember that it is a pub so it’s not the kind of place that will have a highchair – although it is tame enough to be kid friendly.
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Sukiyaki & Shabu-Shabu
This hot-pot style of eating is so much fun for families and just interactive with kids. This restaurant Syabu-yo is a chain restaurant.
Syabu-Yo Hiroshima Branch is kind of in between the Peace Museum and Hiroshima Station.
Diners choose the amount of time they would like to have unlimited meat brought to their table (usually 60 or 90 mins) and that price also includes access to a salad and vegetable buffet and ice-cream. The instructions on how to make your meal at the table are here on the Syabu-Yo website but the staff will also help you. My kids prefer sukiyaki to shabu-shabu as it is so sweet and moreish.
This style of restaurant is tricky if everyone has different dietary requirements (for example if one family member is vegetarian etc) as all the food is cooked in one pot. I guess you could get around this by getting two tables with two separate pots. Sometimes they have pots like the one pictured below that has two sections. This is mostly so you can cook two different flavours but it could also work for a meat side and a veg side too, I guess.
To eat here I would budget for around 2000 yen per adult. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Syabu-Yo accept most major credit cards.
If you like this restaurant – I’m pretty sure you will! -then you are in luck as you can always google your closest Syabu-Yo branch as they are all over Japan.
They have free wifi. This restaurant takes reservations. They have the little robots that bring the meat to your table. My kids love this.
SYABU-YO, HIROSHIMA BRANCH
広島市中区本通9-28 丸美ビル 2F
2ND FLOOR, MARUMI BUILDING, 9-28 HONDORI, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN 11AM-MIDNIGHT
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Yakitori
For Yakitori ( meat and vegetable skewers), the restaurant Ichiriki is very well known and well loved. They have one restaurant near Hiroshima Station but their Head Store is in Fukuromachi ( 10 minutes walk from Hatchobori.)
They have an English Menu.
It is vibey and grungy and you’ll be sitting among tourists and locals. I think it’s more fun to sit at a counter seat to watch how the food is made but if you have small children it might be best to request a table for safety and general wriggle reasons ( and restaurants will most likely not want to use up those precious counter seats for a child who will only pick at their Mum’s meal – even if they are too polite to say so.)
Skewer prices start at 290 yen but in order to eat and drink up a full meal, I would expect to spend around 2500 yen per adult.
Please note that this is a cash only restaurant.
You can be loud here. Try new weird and wonderful foods here. Scream “Kanpai!” loudly here. Tell the chefs when you love something! ( even if you just give them a thumbs up!)
Please note that, unfortunately, this is smoking restaurant ( as in cigarettes and lots of smoke from the grills.) The earlier you dine, the less likely you are to be surrounded by smokers.
ICHIRIKI HONTEN, FUKUROMACHI
広島市中区袋町6-52
6-52 FUKUROMACHI, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA-SHI
OPEN: 5PM – MIDNIGHT ( LAST ORDERS 11PM)
**WHERE TO EAT NEAR HIROSHIMA STATION WITH KIDS**
Where to eat near Hiroshima Station with kids: A Japanese izakaya – open in the late afternoon & evening
This restaurant is a branch of an izakaya chain but I think it’s a good old reliable casual option.
Kuimonoya Wan, Hiroshima Eki Minamiguchi branch. As it is an izakaya, the food is served as lots of small plates, designed to share. They accept most major credit cards. Children are welcome and you can even ask for a koshitsu ( a private, sectioned off room just for your family- this is common practice in izakayas in Japan and it’s fab with kids as they can wander around or colour etc and just be kids.)
This izakaya is just 1 minute walk from Hiroshima Station.
KUIMONOYA WAN, HIROSHIMA EKI MINAMIGUCHI BRANCH
広島県広島市南区松原町10-1 ヒロシマフルフォーカスビルB1
10-1, MATSUBARACHO, MINAMI-KU, HIROSHIMA 732-0822
OPEN FROM 4PM-1AM (CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT SUNDAYS)
Where to eat near Hiroshima Station with kids: Gluten Free
If you are looking for gluten free options in Hiroshima, I recommend going to Pacho inside Hiroshima Station for steaks and ice-cream sundaes as they can prepare a gluten free meal – grilled steak with no sauce and rice.
Another gluten free option
It’s random but a good old reliable option for those who are strictly gluten free. Dominos Pizza does not have gluten free pizzas BUT they do have a wheat free pizza rice bowl. There is a Dominos Pizza in Funairi , Hiroshima. It is 12 mins / approx 1400 yen in a taxi from the Atomic Bomb Museum. See the rice bowl on the Dominos Japan menu here.
Other gluten free options from Dominos Japan include the Dominos Shake Real Strawberry and the Freshly Baked Fondant Chocolat.
Where to eat in Hiroshima with kids: Family Restaurant/ Diner (8 mins walk from Hiroshima Station)
Royal Host can be found all over Japan. The menu is extensive – and it is so affordable. It is also a mixture of western food and Japanese food – which makes it easy when families all want to eat different things.
The Royal Host, Noboricho in Hiroshima is just 8 minutes walk from Hiroshima Station, South Exit. No need to make reservations here.
Royal Host has kids meals and they all come with a toy. They also have high chairs here.
I would budget for around 1500 yen per adult for a meal here. See pictures of the full menu at Royal Host here.
This restaurant has a smoking room (retro, right? *gross*) but I do feel like the smokers room is very separate from the dining area.
Royal Host also serve a simple breakfast (Western or Japanese style.)
ROYAL HOST NOBORICHO
広島市中区橋本町2-27
2-27 HASHIMOTOCHO, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN 8AM-11PM
Just 1 minute walk from Royal Host is a small park with a small playground called Kami-Noboricho Park. There are also public toilets here.
This park and playground is also 8 mins walk from Hiroshima Station (incase your little ones need a stretch and a wriggle after getting off the shinkansen.). There is a public restroom here.
Please note that this playground is small so I don’t think kids over 5 would be that impressed.
KAMI-NOBORICHO PARK
広島市中区上幟町10-10
10-10 KAMI-NOBORICHO, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
and 6 minutes walk from here is a slightly larger park with a playground called Noboricho Park. This park has a slide, 2 double swing sets (the old fashioned kind without a basket seat for babies so this one is for bigger kids who can hold on to the chairs and sit unassisted) and some gymnastic bars. This isn’t a beautiful park or anything but there is lots of space for kids to run around. Please note that there isn’t a public toilet here. This park is 2 min walk from Tram Stop Ebisucho Station and one minute walk from casual udon restaurant Chikara Honten (listed above) , 7 mins walk from Royal Host Noboricho (listed above) and 9 mins walk from Shukkeien Gardens.
NOBORICHO PARK
広島市中区幟町11
11 NOBORICHO, NAKA-KU HIROSHIMA
Just 1 min walk from Noboricho Park is a Mister Donuts branch – Mister Donuts Noroboricho Store.
Please note that this store is cash only.
Mister Donuts + a playground play at Kami-Noboricho Park or Noboricho Park (both listed above) is a great early morning option for kids that have woken early and have the wriggles.
This restaurant is non-smoking but does have a “smoking room” section and, for this reason, I prefer to get my donuts take-away.
This Mister Donuts doesn’t just serve donuts – they also have yum cha and hot dogs.
MISTER DONUTS, NOBORICHO
広島区中区幟町12-12
12-12 NOBORICHO, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN 7AM-10PM (UNTIL 11PM ON FRI & SAT NIGHTS)
Where to eat near Hiroshima Station with kids: Burgers, Fries & Fried Chicken, Pizza, Cocktails
Just 1 min walk from Hiroshima Station (take the South Exit) is Le Garage – a burger spot. As well as burgers, fries and chicken, they also sell pizza and 3 different types of salad.
They do accept reservations here.
Le Garage have space to store strollers while you dine and they also have free wifi. (They also have one table with chargers for diners to use to charge phones etc.) The entire restaurant is non-smoking. Le Garage accepts most major credit cards.
To eat here for lunch I would budget for 2000 yen per adult and more like 3000 yen for dinner.
They also sell reasonably priced cocktails.
There is a kids menu option (for elementary school aged kids and younger) that is a bowl with rice and a hamburger patty in a demiglace sauce and vegetables – it comes with a complimentary apple juice.
LE GARAGE, HIROSHIMA
広島市南区松原町3-1-1 エキシティー広島 エディオン蔦屋家電店 1F
GROUND FLOOR, EDION TSUTAYA HOME ELECTRICS STORE, EKI-CITY HIROSHIMA, MATSUBARA-CHO, MINAMI-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN EVERYDAY: 10AM-8PM
CLOSED OVER THE NEW YEARS HOLIDAYS
and in the same building as Le Garage, I recommend checking out the beautiful bookstore and little food deli (designed for those shopping for ready made meals and bento to eat on the train) on the ground floor of Edion Tsutaya department store.
TSUTAYA HIROSHIMA, EDION
広島市南区松原町3-1-1 エキシティー広島 エディオン蔦屋家電店 1F
GROUND FLOOR, EDION TSUTAYA HOME ELECTRICS STORE, EKI-CITY HIROSHIMA, MATSUBARA-CHO, MINAMI-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN 10AM-8PM
And on the 3rd floor of this same Tsutaya Edion Department Store building is a toy section and a lego section.
This floor also has a kids play area and toddler sized toilets in the restrooms.
The Mazda Museum
For car lovers, you may want to visit the Mazda Museum in Hiroshima. Reservations are required ahead of time.
Please note that tours in English run from 2:15pm (you need to arrive by 2pm) and the tour finishes around 4:15pm.
Reservations can be made exactly 3 months in advance and bookings close 2 days before the date you wish to visit.
Please make note when making a reservation if you will be using a wheelchair – as the some accommodations will be made in advance.
Click here to make reservations at the Mazda Museum – (the Mazda Museum does not accept reservations via email or phone.)
Tours are completely free. You are not allowed to take any photos of the assembly line.
On the day of your reservation, you need to arrive at the Mazda Head Office Ground Floor Lobby by 2pm (you will then be guided to a special shuttle bus to the Mazda Museum.)
To get to the Mazda Head Office from Hiroshima Station:
Option 1: TRAIN + WALKING: take the JR Sanyo Main Line or JR Kure Line to Mukainada Station and then walk for 5 mins
Option 2: BUS + WALKING: take a Hiroshima Bus, a Geiyo Bus or a Hiroden Bus to Mukainada Eki Mae Station and walk for 2 mins
Option 3: TAXI: 12 mins door to door / approx 1600 yen.
MAZDA MUSEUM, HIROSHIMA
OPEN WEEKDAYS & THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
CLOSED FOR OBON & GOLDEN WEEK & NEW YEARS HOLIDAYS
Indoor Sports Centre and Arcade brand Round1 is a fabulous rainy day option and also a much loved option for bigger kids and teens. You can ask your hotel reception desk to make a reservation for you on their website or you can just turn up and walk-in. Round1 is next to the Hiroshima Kokusai (International) Hotel. It is 50 metres walk from tram stop “Tatemachi.”
Children under 16 are unable to enter Round1 after 6pm. Those between 16-18 cannot enter after 10pm.
Round1 Hiroshima has Karaoke, Ten Pin Bowling, Billiards, Darts and Baseball Batting Cages.
Most activities are approximately 500 yen per person per hour (Karaoke is more like 600 yen per 30 mins) but if you think you’ll be there for longer – ask for a “free pass” (which means an unlimited pass which is usually 1500 yen or so, depending on the activity.)
SEE HERE FOR STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON TAKING KIDS OUT TO KARAOKE IN JAPAN.
If you’re looking to visit Round 1 directly from Hiroshima Station, you can take the tram to Tatemachi (11 mins) or you could walk (25 mins) or you could take a taxi (7 mins, approx 800 yen.)
ROUND 1, HIROSHIMA
広島県広島市中区立町3-11
3-11 TATEMACHI, NAKA-KU, HIROSHIMA
OPEN 10AM-6AM THE FOLLOWING DAY (AND OPEN 24 HOURS MOST WEEKENDS)
Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission if you make a purchase using one of my links – at no additional cost to you.
After and before Hiroshima I encourage you to travel to lesser known countryside town Kurashiki. It is so beautiful. I know- because I lived there for one year!
– Miyajima Island
I’ve now got so many different tips for Miyajima Island that I have made its own blog post. Please read my Miyajima Island with kids tips here.
