Travel tips · Hiroshima · Japan
Hiroshima travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Hiroshima was a castle town and later a major military port. The atomic bombing on 6 August 1945 destroyed most of the city and killed an estimated 140,000 people by the end of that year. Rebuilt as a 'City of Peace', it campaigns against nuclear weapons, and survivors, known as hibakusha, have spent decades sharing their testimony. Today it is also a relaxed regional city with a strong local identity built around the Carp baseball team, Mazda and its food.
Key facts
- Language
- Japanese
- Currency
- JPY
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 100 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 110 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance)
Things to know
- Behave quietly and respectfully at the memorials and the cenotaph; avoid posing for playful photos there.
- Don't feed the deer on Miyajima; it is prohibited and makes them aggressive.
- At Itsukushima Shrine and other shrines, bow at the gate and rinse your hands at the purification basin if you wish.
- Don't eat while walking inside shrine and temple grounds.
- Stand on the left of escalators and queue in lines at tram stops.
- Book Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum ahead: At busy times the museum has used timed entry and online tickets to manage crowds; check the official site before your visit.
- Book Carp game at Mazda Stadium ahead: Carp games often sell out; buy tickets online or at convenience-store machines well before the day.
- The Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, Daisho-in and the castle grounds are free, and the Peace Museum costs very little.
Tipping
Tipping is not practised in Japan; good service is part of the price. Ryokan and high-end hotels may add a service charge.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Konnichiwa | Hello |
| Arigatō gozaimasu | Thank you very much |
| Sumimasen | Excuse me / sorry |
| Kore o kudasai | This one, please |
| Okaikei onegaishimasu | The bill, please |
What to wear
Casual clothing is fine everywhere. Bring comfortable walking shoes for the Peace Park and Miyajima's hills, and modest clothing is appreciated at the memorials and shrines.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 100 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 110 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is available at many tram stops, the Peace Park and stations; SIM cards and eSIMs can be bought at major airports.
- Time zone
- Asia/Tokyo
Hiroshima has low crime. In summer, heat and humidity are the main health risk, so carry water. Heavy rain during the rainy season and typhoons can trigger landslide warnings in hillside areas; follow official alerts.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Japan's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Hiroshima?
Tipping is not practised in Japan; good service is part of the price. Ryokan and high-end hotels may add a service charge.
+Can you drink the tap water in Hiroshima?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Hiroshima?
Type A and B sockets, 100 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Hiroshima?
Japanese.