Where to Stay in Hiroshima: Hotels Near the Peace Memorial
Hiroshima is large enough to have a full range of accommodation from city-center business hotels to budget guesthouses and traditional inns. The choice of area within the city primarily affects how quickly you can reach the Peace Memorial Museum and how convenient the transport connections are for Miyajima and Shinkansen travel.
The Peace Park and Naka-ku Area
The Peace Memorial Park area (in Naka-ku ward) is the most logistically convenient base for the main historical sites. The Peace Memorial Museum is within 15 minutes’ walk of most hotels in this zone, the Atomic Bomb Dome is adjacent to the park, and the tram network connects easily to Hiroshima Castle, Shukkei-en garden, and the Okonomi-mura district.
Accommodation in the Peace Park area ranges from ¥9,000 to ¥25,000 per room per night. Mid-range business hotels (APA Hotel Hiroshima, various business hotel chains) dominate the lower price range; a handful of larger hotels with riverside views sit at the upper end. The Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima is the area’s most significant upmarket property at ¥15,000 to ¥30,000 per room.
Hiroshima Station Area
The station area, 20 minutes east of the Peace Memorial Park by tram, is the best base for visitors who plan extensive travel outside Hiroshima. Shinkansen access, the JR local lines to Saijo sake town and Miyajimaguchi, and the city tram network all originate from or pass through the station. The tram to the Peace Memorial Park takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
Hotel Active Hiroshima, a mid-range business hotel near the station, offers rooms from ¥9,000 to ¥14,000 per room — reliable, clean, and well-priced. Several cheaper business hotels cluster in the immediate station vicinity from around ¥7,000 per room. The station area has a higher density of restaurants and convenience stores than the Peace Park zone, making it practical for early arrivals or late departures.
Hatchobori and Downtown
The Hatchobori area, midway between the station and the Peace Memorial Park, is Hiroshima’s main shopping and business district. Hotels here sit at ¥10,000 to ¥22,000 per room. The tram network stops at Hatchobori for connections to both the station and the Peace Park. This area has the most restaurant and bar options within walking distance, making it well-suited to visitors who want to explore Hiroshima’s evening food scene.
Aster Plaza — Budget City Center Option
Aster Plaza is a city-run public hall that includes budget hotel accommodation at some of the lowest prices in central Hiroshima — around ¥4,500 per person per night for a simple private room. The facility is clean, functional, and close to the Peace Memorial Park. It is popular with school groups and is often booked well in advance; reserve early.
Staying on Miyajima Island
Staying on Miyajima island, rather than in Hiroshima city, is a fundamentally different experience. The island’s approximately 2,000 permanent residents share the space with around 700 semi-wild deer, and after the last ferry back to the mainland at around 10pm, the island is almost entirely quiet. The floating torii gate, Itsukushima Shrine, and Daisho-in temple are all accessible in the early morning before day-trippers arrive.
Accommodation on Miyajima is concentrated in traditional ryokan, almost all of which include dinner and breakfast. Prices start from around ¥20,000 per person per night and rise significantly at the premium properties.
Iwaso Ryokan (from ¥35,000 per person) is the most historic property on the island, founded in 1854 in the valley behind Momijidani Park. The riverside rooms, traditional garden, and kaiseki dinner make it one of the most atmospheric ryokan in the Hiroshima area.
Jukeiso (from ¥25,000 per person) is a smaller, more intimate ryokan with tatami rooms and island views. The private bath in some rooms draws from natural spring water.
The deer that roam Miyajima’s paths wander freely through hotel approach routes and gardens in the early morning and evening. This is the most commonly cited memory of first-time Miyajima overnight guests.
Specific Properties Summary
| Property | Area | Price per Night | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aster Plaza | Peace Park/Naka-ku | ~¥4,500/person | Budget city-run, book early |
| Hotel Active Hiroshima | Hiroshima Station | ¥9,000–¥14,000/room | Reliable mid-range near transport |
| Rihga Royal Hotel | Naka-ku/riverside | ¥15,000–¥30,000/room | Upmarket, riverside location |
| Jukeiso Ryokan | Miyajima island | from ¥25,000/person | Meals included, quiet island |
| Iwaso Ryokan | Miyajima island | from ¥35,000/person | Historic 1854, Momijidani valley |
Practical Notes
The last tram from the Peace Memorial Park area to Hiroshima Station runs until around midnight, and the city tram system is reliable and frequent until 11pm. Late-night eating options are good in the Nagarekawa and Hatchobori areas. Most Hiroshima hotels have coin laundry facilities, and luggage forwarding services (takuhaibin) are widely available for onward travel.
For August 6 (the atomic bombing anniversary), the Peace Memorial Ceremony begins at 8:00am in the park. Hotels in the Peace Park area fill months in advance for this date; book well ahead if you specifically want to attend. August 6 is also one of the most moving dates to visit Hiroshima regardless of the ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it worth staying on Miyajima island rather than in Hiroshima city?
- Staying on Miyajima is expensive (ryokan from ¥20,000 per person including meals) but gives access to the island at dawn and dusk when the day-trippers are gone. The floating torii at high tide in morning light, and the deer roaming hotel gardens at night, are genuinely special. Worthwhile if the budget allows.
- Which area of Hiroshima is closest to the Peace Memorial Museum?
- The Naka-ku area around the Peace Memorial Park has the closest hotels. Properties here are 5 to 15 minutes' walk from the museum and 10 minutes from the Atomic Bomb Dome. Expect to pay ¥9,000–¥25,000 per room per night.
- Are there budget accommodation options in Hiroshima?
- Yes. Aster Plaza (city-run public hostel) has the most budget-friendly rates in the city center at around ¥4,500 per person per night. Several guesthouses near Hiroshima Station offer dormitory beds from ¥3,000 and private rooms from ¥7,000.
- What is the best area to stay for using Hiroshima as a base for day trips?
- Hiroshima Station area is best for transport connections — Shinkansen access, city trains, and the JR line to Miyajimaguchi. Properties here are 20 to 25 minutes' walk or one tram stop from the Peace Memorial Park.
- How far is Miyajima from the main Hiroshima hotels?
- From hotels in the Peace Park or Hiroshima Station area, the ferry terminal at Miyajimaguchi is approximately 45 to 55 minutes by tram or JR train. The full journey from a central Hiroshima hotel to Miyajima island is about 60 to 70 minutes door-to-ferry.