Where to stay in Hiroshima and ryokan in Miyajima [23/24]: all the info you need!
It’s a bit easier to figure out where to stay in Hiroshima than it is in other places in Japan.
But still, not easy enough, I’d say. There are still quite a few neighbourhoods to look through and even more hotels to consider. Plus, add on Miyajima, and it complicates things quite a bit!
That’s why I’ve put together this lovely guide that tells you about the best area to stay in Hiroshima!
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My Top 3 Picks: Where to Stay in Hiroshima and Ryokan in Miyajima
OVERALL BEST
BEST RYOKAN IN MIYAJIMA
#3 PICK
Should you stay in Hiroshima or Miyajima?
It really depends on what you would prefer.
When we visited Japan, we stayed in Hiroshima and visited Miyajima on a half a day trip. We liked it this way and preferred to be closer to the Hiroshima Station when moving to the next place on our Japan itinerary. There are tons of hotels in Hiroshima for all budgets.
But if you’d like to enjoy the feel of Miyajima in the evening or explore more of the things that can be done there, such as hiking mount Misen, it would probably be a better idea to stay in Miyajima. Plus, the Itsukushima Shrine looks incredible when it’s lit in the dark hours. Miyajima, though, is a bit more expensive (generally) than Hiroshima, but still, there are many accommodation options.
Related: Hiroshima and Miyajima in one whole day
Where to stay in Hiroshima
Unlike Tokyo or Kyoto, it’s quite easy to reply to the question “what is the best area to stay in Hiroshima”. It’s definitely the Downtown Hiroshima – the area between the Hiroshima station and the Peace Memorial Park.
Some other places close by include: the area next to the Hiroshima station, and, of course, Miyajima.
Finding good hotels in Hiroshima is really not easy, though, as I found out when writing this article. It’s because there are just so many of them, haha! Each with something special that attracted me. But in the end, I narrowed it down to three choices for each area. Enjoy!
We stayed in: EN HOTEL Hiroshima, 3*, in Central Hiroshima
We stayed in EN hotel (Court Hotel Hiroshima at the time) and can recommend it.
EN hotel has a good location – it’s right next to the Kyohashi river and within walking distance to both Hiroshima Station and the Peace Memorial Park and Museum.
It’s a budget hotel, but still, the rooms are nice and clean and the breakfast was very tasty. You get all you need in the room – there’s all the toiletries you need, WIFI, slippers, kettle etc.
If you get a room on the riverside, then the view is quite lovely as well.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Downtown Hiroshima – where to stay in Hiroshima for first time visitors
Downtown Hiroshima is the place that has it all, so to say. You are close to the Hiroshima station, which means good transportation options, and on the other hand – close to the central part of Hiroshima with all the points of interest.
In the Downtown area, you’ll find the Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park and Museum, Hiroshima Castle, and other interesting things most of which are mentioned in our Hiroshima Itinerary as well. And, of course, lots of restaurants, bars, shops, and so on.
Related: what you need to know before planning your first Japan trip
As I said, the Hiroshima station gives you the best transportation options in the city. It’s a JR station, so Shinkansen trains run to and from it. It means there’s an easy connection to Kyoto and Osaka, as well as Miyajima and other points of interest.
Things to see and do in Downtown Hiroshima
- Atomic Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with all of its interesting things
- Okonomimura – an Okonomiyaki village with some 25 okonomiyaki restaurants
- Hiroshima Castle (Carp Castle)
- Shopping – Hon-Dori pedestrian arcade or Aioi-Dori Avenue, for example
- Food, bars, restaurants – you have it all here
Pros of staying in Downtown Hiroshima
- Everything interesting in Hiroshima city is walking distance away
- You can reach Miyajima conveniently because transport options are close by
- Food and entertainment options are almost unlimited
Cons of staying in Downtown Hiroshima
- It’s the most popular area to stay in, so can get quite crowded
Where to stay in Downtown Hiroshima
Luxury hotel in Downtown Hiroshima – Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima, 4*
Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima is located a 10-minute walk from the Peace Park and a 25-minute walk to the Hiroshima station. It’s probably a good idea to use public transportation to get to and from the station. Or a taxi for that matter.
The rooms in this hotel are big and nicely decorated. Of course, the amenities include everything you would like as well.
And the view from the upper levels is amazing!
The facilities include 6 dining rooms and bars, indoor pools, a spa, and a gym.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Mid-range option in Central Hiroshima – Candeo Hotels Hiroshima Hatchobori, 4*
I was struggling to decide which mid-range hotel I like better – Candeo Hotels Hiroshima Hatchobori or Hotel Intergate Hiroshima. They both are pretty similar, have similar guest ratings, and both have onsen. In the end, I decided that I prefer Candeo – because it doesn’t have smoking rooms.
What to do, I don’t like the cigarette smoke smell.
If smoke is not a problem for you, Hotel Intergate Hiroshima is quite a good option as well.
So, Candeo Hotels Hiroshima Hatchobori is just 10 minutes on foot from the Peace Memorial Park and 700m from the Shukkeien gardens. Okonomimura is within walking distance as well!
It’s approximately a 15-minute walk from the train station, which is not too bad for walking. So, all in all, quite a good location.
As for the hotel itself, the rooms are nice, light, and modern, albeit a bit on the small side. The higher floors have a nice view. Some rooms even come with a balcony!
As I mentioned already, there’s an onsen, as well as a spa centre. The onsen is on the rooftop, so pretty cool.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Budget option in Downtown Hiroshima: Nest Hotel Hiroshima Hatchobori, 3*
For the best budget option in Downtown Hiroshima, I chose the Nest Hotel Hiroshima Hatchobori. Honestly, there were quite a few hotels I considered (again. I mentioned already that there are many great hotels in Hiroshima, right?), such as Hotel Park Side Hiroshima Peace Park, Intergate Hiroshima, The Royal Park Hotel Hiroshima Riverside and some more.
What made me choose the Nest Hotel is, though, that the price seems to stay budgety all year long. Others seem to raise the price during summer.
And, they have only non-smoking rooms.
Nest Hotel has a good location as well – it’s almost midway between the Peace Memorial Park and the station. If you don’t feel like walking, there’s a tram stop very close by.
The price includes a small breakfast, with coffee and several types of bread provided.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Around Hiroshima train station – best area to stay in Hiroshima for good transport connections
The Hiroshima station area is, obviously, the best place where to stay in Hiroshima for the greatest transport connections. This is where you go if you take a JR Train from anywhere around Japan to Hiroshima.
By the way, if you want to travel around Japan, we definitely recommend getting a JR Pass and taking the Shinkansen. It’s more cost-efficient and time-efficient than other means of transport in Japan.
The station also ensures excellent connections in Hiroshima itself by tram or by bus. That’s especially convenient if you plan to visit Miyajima, as you save some extra time by not having to transfer.
And even though you stay near the station, there are things to do nearby as well. For example, there is some greenery close by – such as the lovely Shukkeien Garden and the Kyobashi River. Plus, the Hiroshima Prefectural Museum and the Museum of Contemporary art among other things.
The bad thing is, though, that Central Hiroshima with all the main points of interest is approximately 30 minutes walk away or 15 minutes by tram.
As for the food options – there are some in the station area and the station itself, although for most of the best ones, you’ll have to walk or take public transport.
Things to see and do near Hiroshima Station
- Shukkeien Garden
- Kyobashi River
- Hiroshima Prefectural Museum
- Hiroshima Museum of Contemporary Art
- Mazda Zoom-Zoom Baseball stadium
- Hijiyama Park
Pros of staying in the area near Hiroshima station
- Amazing transportation options
- Quite a few things to see and do
- A hotel close to the station means you won’t have to carry your luggage around
Cons of staying in the area near Hiroshima station
- Not really within walking distance to Central Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial Park
- Not too many great restaurants
Where to stay near Hiroshima station
Luxury hotel near Hiroshima station – Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel, 5*
The gorgeous Sheraton Grand Hiroshima hotel with a fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool is located just a minute’s walk away from the Hiroshima Station.
The rooms are quite big, and the uppermost ones have incredible views of the city.
For breakfast, you can choose a Western-style one or a Japanese breakfast. Honestly, I recommend having a Japanese one – you can get Western anywhere in the world.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Mid-range option near Hiroshima Station – Hotel Granvia Hiroshima, 4*
Granvia Hiroshima is directly connected to the Hiroshima JR Station, making this a very convenient option for transport.
Even the standard rooms are relatively big (for Japanese standards), and they come with a bathtub and free toiletries, plus other amenities. Massage and fitness centres are available as well. The upper floors have incredible views.
There are 3 restaurants available on site. For breakfast, there’s a Japanese and American breakfast available.
Just as a note: some of the rooms are smoking.
It’s located a 20-minute tram ride away from the Peace Memorial Park and a 10-minute ride from the Mazda Stadium.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Budget option near Hiroshima station: APA Hotel Hiroshima-Ekimae Ohashi, 3*
At first, I was planning to put other hotels as the best budget hotels near Hiroshima station – the 4* Nest Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae or the 3* KOKO HOTEL Hiroshima Ekimae.
But!
They all cost pretty much the same, but only APA and KOKO provide breakfast.
And the main reason I made the change – the APA hotel has an onsen!
So APA it is! Because a budget hotel with onsen is awesome.
Note: keep in mind that during the popular visiting times, like when Sakura is in bloom, even the budget options have crazy prices.
The hotel is located a 4-minute walk from the JR station. There’s free wifi and 24h luggage storage available as well. Plus, there’s a microwave on each floor that you can use for free as well.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Miyajima – the best area to stay in Hiroshima for an extra bit of romance
Miyajima – the little island in the Seto Inland Sea of Hiroshima that is full of romance, temples, and deer. It’s believed to be the place where god dwells.
It’s one of the most incredible places to visit near Hiroshima – if you can, definitely have half a day in Miyajima planned on your Hiroshima itinerary
Miyajima is famous for its Itsukushima Shrine and the floating Torii gate. But there are many more things to do, such as visiting the Daisho-in temple or hiking Mount Misen.
Many people, us included, do a day trip to Miyajima, but it is a great place to stay as well. The atmosphere of the island changes completely at night, becoming a bit mysterious even. Plus, the Itsukushima Shrine gets illuminated and looks completely stunning in the dark.
If you can, I definitely recommend staying in a ryokan in Miyajima. Getting pampered in a ryokan is something everyone should have on their Japan bucket lists.
Related: things you should know before staying in a ryokan or visiting an onsen
Things to see and do in Miyajima
- Exploring the streets of the island
- Daisho-in temple
- Itsukushima Shrine and the floating torii gate
- Hiking Mount Misen
- Taking a picture with the deer
Pros of staying in Miyajima
- An incredible experience
- Beat the crowds – both in the morning and the evening
- Getting an insight into how Japanese live in the smaller villages
- Chance to stay in a ryokan in an exclusive location
Cons of staying in Miyajima
- Limited dinner options – most restaurants close around 5PM
- Far from Central Hiroshima (duh)
- A chance that a deer will eat your passport
- Hotels are a bit more expensive than in Hiroshima itself
Some hotels in Miyajima
As I mentioned already in the beginning, staying on Miyajima is more expensive than in Hiroshima itself.
Luxury hotel in Miyajima – Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto, 4*
Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto looks like a ryokan but is officially a hotel.
You can choose between Western-style rooms with carpets and normal beds or Japanese style rooms with tatami mats and futon beds. Or there’s a western room with a tatami area available. My advice – choose Japanese, it creates a completely different atmosphere than the Western one.
Most rooms have both breakfast and dinner included in the price. You can even dine in your own room. Plus, there are very nice views from some of the rooms.
The main thing is – there’s onsen available! It contains waters from natural hot springs. Even an open-air one is available.
The hotel is located in a quiet corner a bit off the hustle and bustle of the main streets but at the same time close to most of the main attractions of Miyajima. Don’t worry if you have a big suitcase – there’s a transfer available from the port.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Another luxury hotel in Miyajima – Hotel Miyajima Villa, 3*
The hotel Miyajima Villa has quite a convenient location – just opposite the port. That means, you don’t have to carry your luggage too far, but at the same time, you’re close enough for exploring all the best Miyajima has to offer.
The rooms in the hotel are spacious, and some of them come with a sea or mountain view. There’s even a massage chair in the room!
There’s onsen available for guests. Since it’s on the fifth floor, you get a nice view of the sea.
Miyajima Villa has room rates that include breakfast or both breakfast and dinner. As I mentioned before, most of the restaurants close after 5PM, so I suggest that you get the half board. Plus, reviews say that the dinner includes all-you-can-drink drinks! So, y’know, a good option for trying something new.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Budget hotel in Miyajima- Miyajima Coral Hotel, 3*
Miyajima Coral Hotel is not located in Miyajima itself, but just by the JR Ferry terminal on the other side of the sea. Honestly, unless you want to stay in a dormitory-style room with a shared bathroom, there are no budget hotels on Miyajima Island.
This is your typical Japanese business hotel.
For a very reasonable rate, you get a nicely furnished room with a private bathroom, toiletries, slippers, etc.
The regular rates include breakfast, but you can get one that has dinner included as well.
As I said, it’s located close to the ferry. The JR train station is not too far as well.
All in all, if you don’t want to splurge to stay on Miyajima itself but still want to be close by it, Miyajima Coral Hotel is one of the best options.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Some ryokans in Miyajima
At first, I thought of choosing the ryokans in Miyajima the same way I did the rest of the hotels on this list. But I understood pretty fast that that’s not exactly possible for a few reasons.
First, there are too many equally amazing luxury ryokans to choose just the “best” out of them.
Second, it’s almost impossible to find a mid-budget and budget ryokan that is up to my standards. I’m sorry, but if I’m paying 100 euro per night, I want to have a private bath/shower in my room. And in a place like Miyajima there better be an option for breakfast and even better – dinner.
So, the ryokans in Miyajima on this list are mostly up to the “luxury” standards – in a ryokan, it’s mostly about enjoying the luxury experience.
Iwaso, 4*, luxury ryokan in Miyajima
Iwaso is located just a 5-minute walk from the ferry terminal, in a beautiful forest.
The ryokan was built in 1854 and it has both rooms and cottages available. Some of the cottages even have a private onsen available.
Cottages are available only on the ryokan’s website.
Keep in mind that the rooms in the “main” building don’t have private bathtubs or showers. They do have toilets in the room, though. So, if it’s as important to you as it is to me to have a private bathroom, make sure to book a room in the “annex”, otherwise known as the new building.
The rooms are traditional Japanese with Tatami mat floors and Japanese futon beds. I suggest you get a room with half-board – a kaiseki dinner in a ryokan is something amazing. It’s possible to have your meals in your room if you wish.
The onsen with mineral waters are indoors, but the view from them is amazing – you can see the surrounding nature.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Kinsuikan, 4*, luxury ryokan in Miyajima
Kinsuikan is a modern ryokan in Miyajima located just 200m from the Five Storey Pagoda.
The rooms are nicely decorated in a traditional Japanese style with tatami mat floors and futon beds. Some of the rooms have single beds as well, and antique Japanese style heaths. All of the rooms have private bathrooms.
This ryokan has two private onsen, both indoors.
In Kinsuikan, some of the rooms have sea views.
An Asian breakfast and dinner are served daily. The good is made with local seasonal ingredients, and you can choose out of four menus to your liking.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Kurayado Iroha, 5*, luxury ryokan in Miyajima
5 minutes walk from the Itsukushima Shrine, Kurayado Iroha ryokan in Miyajima has rooms with sea, mountain, or Japanese garden views.
Some of the rooms are designed in traditional Japanese style, but still have modern facilities. Others are completely Japanese – with tatami mat floors and futon beds. All have deep-soak tubs and coffee machines available.
Kurayado Iroha ryokan has an onsen available, of course. It is on the roof of the hotel with an incredible view of the Miyajima Strait and even the Floating Torii Gate.
The vermilion O-Torii Gate of Itsukushima Shrine can be seen from the seaside tables of the ryokan’s restaurant Café & Dining Yoimosezu. The meals, including the kaiseki dinner, are made from fresh seasonal ingredients.
Check prices and reviews on booking.com
Last thoughts on where to stay in Hiroshima
Here you have, all the best areas where to stay in Hiroshima. Some seem to have almost no downsides, while others have more.
As I stated in the beginning, though, the best place where to stay really depends on your own preferences. For example, although staying in Miyajima seems to have quite a lot of cons, the experience itself would outweigh most of the downsides to me personally.
So, really, you have to decide for yourself what is more important to you.
Which area would you prefer to stay in and why? Let me know in the comments!
