Hiroshima, located in western Japan, is a city known for its resilience, remembrance, and rebirth. Despite its tragic history, the city exudes a strong sense of hope and life. This energy is felt in its vibrant streets and shopping districts, bustling markets, thriving culinary scene, and welcoming atmosphere. Hiroshima is a city that holds a special place in my heart, and I wish we had more than one day to enjoy it.
Getting around - general accessibility
Hiroshima is a wheelchair-friendly city, just like most of Japan’s cities. The streets are smooth and wide, with lowered curbs and tactile paving. If you tire of rolling around, you can take the Maple Loop Sightseeing Bus, a convenient and scenic way to explore the city’s attractions. All the buses are wheelchair-accessible and have a ramp at the second door. The older, high-floor buses have a steep ramp, so manual wheelchair users might need some assistance. The bus has three routes that take you to key landmarks: the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden, and more. It is also included in the JR pass.
Public transportation in Hiroshima is generally accessible to wheelchair users. Most city buses are barrier-free, with ramps, priority seating, and designated spaces for passengers with mobility aids. The newer, low-floor trams are also equipped with ramps. Taxis with wheelchair ramps are available, but booking them in advance is recommended.
Hiroshima Station is the city’s central transportation hub that is accessible to people with disabilities. It has elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms. The station also has accessible pathways and signage to help passengers navigate quickly. The station has many barrier-free restaurants, shops, and food stands.
If you plan to visit Miyajima Island, ferries with accessible boarding ramps and designated seating areas for passengers with disabilities are available. You can also check out our blog post “Miyajima in a Wheelchair“ for more information.
Dedicate a couple of hours to visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is a peaceful and reflective area dedicated to honoring the memory of the victims of the atomic bombing and promoting peace for future generations. This iconic park is wheelchair accessible, with paved paths and ramps.
The park comprises several notable monuments, memorials, and landmarks, including:
A-Bomb Dome: The iconic remains of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a powerful symbol of the destruction caused by the atomic bomb.
Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims: A striking arch-shaped monument that displays the names of all known victims of the bombing.
Peace Flame and Peace Bell: The Peace Flame, which has been continuously burning since 1964, represents the city’s dedication to peace, while the Peace Bell allows visitors to ring it in solidarity with the desire for a peaceful world.
Children’s Peace Monument: This monument is dedicated to Sadako Sasaki and all children who were victims of the bombing. It features a young girl holding a paper crane inspired by Sadako’s story and the tradition of folding paper cranes to symbolize peace.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum: Adjacent to the park, the museum provides a comprehensive overview of the events of August 6, 1945, and their aftermath. It educates visitors about the horrors of nuclear warfare and the significance of peace.
The museum offers various facilities for visitors with disabilities, including ramps and elevators, braille, audio guides, rest areas, and universal restrooms. The entry fee is 200¥ (approximately 1.5$), with no disability discount.
Take a stroll along the Ota River.
The Ota River flows through the center of Hiroshima City, providing a picturesque and peaceful aspect of the city’s landscape. It’s a great spot to relax and reflect after an emotional visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. During spring, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking sight of pink cherry blossom trees lining the riverbanks.
Enjoy the atmosphere at the lively Hondori Street.
Hondori Street is across the river from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. It is the bustling heart of the city’s shopping and entertainment scene. This pedestrian-friendly street runs through the city center. It has a vibrant mix of shops, arcades, pachinko halls, restaurants, street performers, and outdoor seating.
The street is smooth and easy to explore in a wheelchair. While the larger stores and malls are fully accessible, with universal restrooms, the smaller shops are often tiny and have stairs. Hondori Street offers delicious street food stands and takeout options if you’re having trouble finding a wheelchair-accessible restaurant.
Try the famous Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki.
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is a delicious variation of the classic Japanese pancake dish. It typically includes layers of cabbage, noodles (usually yakisoba), pork belly slices, and a variety of toppings such as okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes.
The most popular place to eat Okonomiyaki in Hiroshima is Okonomi-mura, a multi-story building with various stalls. We chose a different restaurant, Reichan, which was recommended by locals and conveniently located inside the Hiroshima Station next to our hotel. This restaurant has a lively atmosphere, with chefs cooking on the grill before the diners. However, during lunch and dinner times, there can be a long line, so it’s best to come early. Another great Okonomiyaki restaurant is Nagata-ya, which is located right across the river from the Memorial Peace Museum. Although most seats are high counter seats that may not be convenient for wheelchair users, two regular-height tables are available, and the entrance is step-free. It’s a trendy spot, and it’s worth noting that the line can be pretty long.
Accessible Accommodation
Granvia Hiroshima Hotel is a four-star hotel conveniently located adjacent to Hiroshima Station. Its location gave us easy access to Miyajima Island and Hiroshima city center and many great and barrier-free restaurants and cafe options at Hiroshima Station.
The hotel’s universal room is spacious and equipped with an adjustable bed. The bathroom is universal, too, and features grab bars, a floating sink, emergency cords, a shower chair, and drains outside the bathtub. However, it does not have a roll-in shower.
The Hiroshima Castle is not wheelchair accessible, unfortunately, but you can visit a beautiful, fully accessible Japanese castle in Osaka. Check out our blog post Osaka in a wheelchair to learn more. The beautiful Shukkeien Garden is partially wheelchair-accessible (a map with accessible paths in the link), but we couldn’t visit this time due to time constraints.
In conclusion, I found Hiroshima to be an extremely wheelchair-friendly city, and it has been my favorite destination in Japan so far.