Where to Stay

As Hiroshima is not a particularly expansive city, most of the hotels are located in reasonably close proximity to each other. That means the urban scenery is quite similar no matter where you choose to stay, but you will find the hotels themselves may vary quite dramatically in architecture, style of rooms, facilities and more.

Hiroshima Station

Part of the Minami-ku district, the area around Hiroshima Station deserves special treatment, since many travelers will prefer to stay in this central location.  

At the very top of the line for accommodations in Hiroshima is the Hiroshima Prince Hotel. There are a handful of very fine hotels in the city, but this one is something special. Its serene waterside location on a small island in the harbor provides guests with the sights and sounds of the surrounding marina, as well as easy access to cruises. The rooms are spacious and comfortable with expansive views. It simply surpasses all others.

Hotel Sun Route Hiroshima, is another upper-end option available in this area, and though it is actually a business hotel, the size of its rooms and convenient location close to Peace Park and other tourist attractions make it perfectly suitable for leisure travelers.  Or for those who want to hit the town as soon as they arise, the Hiroshima Eki-mae Green Hotel is right outside of Hiroshima Station, and offers low-cost accommodations catered towards business travelers.

Naka-ku

Perhaps the closest rival to the Prince is the Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima, a larger, comparably luxurious hotel located in the middle of the city. With an astounding 35 floors (enormous for Hiroshima), the views can hardly be described as less romantic, and its convenient location may make it more desirable for many. The inner-city sights of Hiroshima are all within walking distance or a quick tram ride. As the bus center is right next door, access to destinations outside the city is also greatly simplified.

Moving slightly down in scale, there is the ANA Hotel Hiroshima. Recall the service you receive on Japanese airlines? That is the same kind of treatment you get here, and as it is an "international" hotel, the staff members can speak English quite well. You also get very spacious rooms, especially the singles, for the price you pay. Now add to this fine facilities, including a sauna, fitness center, pool, restaurants, Internet connections, restaurants and more, and you may have the "best buy" in Hiroshima for accommodations.

The Kokusai Hotel is another rather famous hotel in the middle of the city, famous in part because you cannot miss it. The rotating sky lounge on its roof provides a romantic venue for dining, and the facilities are first-rate, making it an extremely popular place for weddings and parties. Washington Hotel Plaza is another enormous city hotel with splendid views from the upper floors (they go up to 23). Rooms here are sufficiently large but the main draw is its location on "Peace Boulevard," only a minute's walk from more entertainment than you can probably handle. The Mitsui Garden Hotel is also comparable in terms of price, size and location. One notable difference is that it has a room designed specifically for wheelchair guests.

For an inexpensive option, try Hotel 28 Hiroshima, whose amenities include both baths and a sauna at a great price.  If business is your sole purpose in coming to Hiroshima, and you rely on Internet access, however, then you may want to try one of the many business hotels in the area.  

Minami-ku

Highly respected tourist hotels abound in Hiroshima. In the Hotel Grandvia Hiroshima, rooms are spacious and attractive, and you need not leave the hotel for entertainment; besides nine restaurants, a bar and a lounge, there are also karaoke rooms.  

Business travelers, of course, will find a nice array of accommodations in this part of town as well. One highly recommended choice is the generically named Hiroshima Business Hotel. Guests can relax in the huge open baths, while there is even a private "family bath" as well. An even more inexpensive option for travelers on a budget is the comfortable, no-frills Kinokuniya Hotel, which even offers residency rates for guests stayed 30 days or longer.

Rooms in Hiroshima can be scarce during peak travel and holiday periods, so advance reservations are recommended. However, for those who prefer to wait until arrival to make bookings, the information center at Hiroshima Station can assist in locating accommodations and actually make reservations for you. The staff there also provides additional pertinent information regarding the city and can help arrange your onward travel plans.