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Food tours in Hiroshima: what to eat and which tour to book
Hiroshima's signature food is its own style of okonomiyaki: a thin crepe layered with a heap of cabbage, bean sprouts, pork, yakisoba noodles and egg, built up on a hot griddle in front of you rather than mixed as a batter as in Osaka. The city has hundreds of okonomiyaki counters, including several floors of them in one building near Hondori. The Seto Inland Sea supplies most of Japan's farmed oysters, eaten grilled on Miyajima or fried in town, and the island is also known for anago-meshi (conger eel over rice) and maple-leaf-shaped momiji manju cakes. Saijo, half an hour away by train, is one of Japan's main sake-brewing towns.
Use this page to decide what to eat and where. The dishes and areas below say what each place does well and when to go. The tours are real listings on GetYourGuide, with prices as seen when we checked; prices and group sizes change, so confirm on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Hiroshima
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki Hiroshima-yaki / okonomiyaki | Layered pancake of thin crepe, cabbage, bean sprouts, pork belly, yakisoba or udon noodles and a fried egg, finished with sweet-savoury sauce, seaweed and bonito flakes. You eat it straight off the griddle with a small spatula. | Okonomimura in Shintenchi, counters around Hiroshima Station and the Peace Park, and neighbourhood shops all over the city. | roughly ¥900–1,600 (about €5.50–10) |
| Oysters kaki | Large Inland Sea oysters, served grilled in the shell, fried (kaki-furai), in hotpot or raw in season. | Grill stalls on Miyajima's Omotesando street, izakaya in Nagarekawa, and oyster restaurants in town. | about ¥300–600 per grilled oyster; kaki-furai set about ¥1,200–2,000 |
| Conger eel on rice anago-meshi | Grilled conger eel glazed in sweet soy, laid over rice cooked in eel broth. A speciality of Miyajima and the Miyajimaguchi ferry area. | Restaurants and bento shops at Miyajimaguchi and on Miyajima. | roughly ¥2,000–3,500 (about €12–21) |
| Soupless dandan noodles shiru-nashi tantanmen | Noodles with no broth, tossed with sesame, chilli oil, Sichuan pepper and minced pork; a Hiroshima local favourite with numbing heat. | Specialist noodle shops in the city centre. | about ¥800–1,200 |
| Hiroshima-style dipping noodles Hiroshima tsukemen | Chilled noodles dipped in a spicy, chilli-red soy broth, served with vegetables and sliced pork; popular in summer. | Tsukemen shops around the city centre and station. | about ¥900–1,300 |
| Maple-leaf cake momiji manju | Small maple-leaf-shaped sponge cake filled with red bean paste, custard, chocolate or cheese; fried versions (age-momiji) are sold on Miyajima. | Shops on Miyajima's Omotesando street and at Hiroshima Station. | about ¥100–250 each |
| Saijo sake Saijō sake | Sake from the brewing town of Saijo in Higashi-Hiroshima, known for soft, slightly sweet styles; several breweries offer tastings. | Breweries along Saijo's sake street, and izakaya in Hiroshima. | tastings often free or a few hundred yen; about ¥500–900 a glass in bars |
| Lemon dishes Setoda lemon | Hiroshima Prefecture is Japan's largest lemon producer; lemon appears in sweets, chuhai drinks, lemon-flavoured ramen and oyster dishes. | Souvenir shops at the station and bars citywide. | lemon chuhai about ¥400–600 |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Okonomimura
Building near Hondori with floors of small okonomiyaki counters side by side; you pick one and sit at the griddle.
Miyajima Omotesando
Shopping street on Miyajima island near the ferry pier with grilled oyster stalls, anago-meshi restaurants and momiji manju shops.
Saijo sake brewery street
Several historic breweries within walking distance of JR Saijo Station, many with tasting rooms and free spring water.
Hiroshima Station area (ekie and Okonomi-monogatari)
Station buildings with an okonomiyaki floor, oyster restaurants and souvenir food halls; convenient on arrival or departure.
Nagarekawa and Yagenbori
The main nightlife district, with izakaya, oyster bars, yakitori and late-night ramen.
Food tours in Hiroshima compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima: Okonomiyaki Cooking Class with a Local Chef | 2 hours | from €50 per person | — | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Hiroshima: Food and Culture Guided Walking Tour with Dinner | 3 hours | from €99 per person | — | Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark. | Check dates |
| Hiroshima: Bar Hopping Food Tour | 3 hours | from €94 per person | max 7 | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Hiroshima: Onigiri and Miso Soup and Matcha Cooking Class | 1.5 hours | from €84 per person | max 6 | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Hiroshima: Private Food Tasting Tour with a Local Guide | 3 hours | from €254 per person | private | Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them. | Check dates |
Hiroshima: Okonomiyaki Cooking Class with a Local Chef
On GetYourGuide · run by Pinpoint Traveler
- Length
- 2 hours
- Price
- from €50 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 25 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
Hiroshima: Food and Culture Guided Walking Tour with Dinner
On GetYourGuide · run by Pinpoint Traveler
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €99 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 277 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Suits
- Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark.
- Starts
- Japan, 〒730-0034 Hiroshima, Naka Ward, Shintenchi, 5−３ ドン・キホーテ広島八丁堀店
Hiroshima: Bar Hopping Food Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by MagicalTrip
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €94 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 61 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 7
- Included
- Local guide 2 dishes & 1 Okonomiyaki plate 3 drinks Photos during the tour Additional food and drink
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- 日本、〒730-0021 広島県広島市中区胡町６−２６
Hiroshima: Onigiri and Miso Soup and Matcha Cooking Class
On GetYourGuide · run by Onigiri Hiroshima
- Length
- 1.5 hours
- Price
- from €84 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 4 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 6
- Included
- Cooking Class Experience with Local Mothers (Onigiri/Rice ball, Miso Soup, Matcha) Japanese Sweets Wagashi Beverages
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
- Starts
- 日本、〒730-0853 広島県広島市中区堺町１丁目１−３
Hiroshima: Private Food Tasting Tour with a Local Guide
On GetYourGuide · run by City Unscripted
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €254 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 3 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- Private and personalized 3-hour tour of Hiroshima 1 beer, cocktail, or soft drink 6 tastings of different food Entrance to Shukkeien Japanese Gardens Walking experience with a Local Host Tips and recommendations for t…
- Suits
- Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them.
- Starts
- SOUVENIR SELECT HitotoKi
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Japan does not have much street food outside markets and festivals; on Miyajima, though, grilled oysters, fried momiji manju and skewers are eaten standing at stalls. Convenience stores and station food halls fill the gap for cheap, good snacks.
Sit-down meals
Most eating is at small, specialist counters: okonomiyaki at the griddle, noodle shops, oyster restaurants and izakaya in the evening. Many small places are cash-only or ticket-machine only, close one day a week and take few reservations, so expect short queues.
Cooking classes
Okonomiyaki-making classes are the main hands-on experience, where you build your own on a griddle with guidance. Sake brewery visits and tastings in Saijo are the other popular food activity.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | ¥3,000–4,500 (about €18–27): convenience-store breakfast, okonomiyaki lunch, noodles for dinner |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | ¥6,000–9,000 (about €36–55): oyster set lunch and izakaya dinner with drinks |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | ¥15,000+ (about €90+): kaiseki or high-end sushi dinner |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Difficult: dashi made from bonito flakes is in almost every broth and sauce, and okonomiyaki typically includes pork and bonito. Some okonomiyaki shops can make a version without pork or seafood; ask clearly, and check whether the sauce and toppings are fish-free.
Halal: Limited. A small number of restaurants in Hiroshima offer halal or Muslim-friendly menus; elsewhere pork, lard and mirin (rice wine) are common. Ask in advance and check current listings for halal restaurants.
Gluten-free: Hard. Soy sauce contains wheat, okonomiyaki is flour-based with noodles, and many sauces include wheat. Sashimi, plain grilled fish and rice are safer. Carry a Japanese allergy card stating 'komugi' (wheat).
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Touts in Nagarekawa leading visitors to bars with high seat charges and drink bills. Don't follow street touts; choose bars with prices displayed, or ask the cover charge before sitting.
- An unexpected charge for otōshi (a small starter served automatically) in izakaya, which visitors often think is a scam. It is a normal table charge, usually ¥300–600 per person; ask if you are unsure.
- Miyajima oyster stalls selling small or reheated oysters at full price to day-trippers. Buy from stalls grilling to order with a visible queue, and check the size before paying.
Top tours & activities in Hiroshima
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Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
Do I need to tip in Hiroshima?
No. Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can cause confusion; staff may chase you to return money left on the table. Good service is included. Some upscale restaurants add a service charge of about 10% to the bill. Guides on food tours generally do not expect a tip, though a polite thank-you is always welcome.
How is Hiroshima okonomiyaki different from Osaka's?
In Osaka, the ingredients are mixed into a batter and cooked as one pancake. In Hiroshima, it is layered: a thin crepe, a big pile of cabbage and bean sprouts, pork, then noodles and an egg, pressed together on the griddle. It is lighter and much taller, and almost always includes yakisoba or udon noodles.
When is oyster season?
Hiroshima oysters are best from roughly November to March, when they are plump and served raw as well as grilled and fried. Grilled and fried oysters are available year-round in many places. Miyajima holds an oyster festival in winter, usually in February; check current dates before you plan your trip around it.
How much should I budget for food per day?
On a budget, about ¥3,000–4,500 (roughly €18–27) covers a convenience-store breakfast, okonomiyaki for lunch and noodles at night. A mid-range day with an oyster set and an izakaya dinner with drinks is about ¥6,000–9,000. Kaiseki or high-end sushi starts at around ¥15,000 per person.
Should I carry cash?
Yes. Many small okonomiyaki counters, noodle shops and Miyajima stalls still take cash only, or use a ticket machine that takes notes and coins. Larger restaurants and station shops accept cards and IC transport cards. Convenience store ATMs accept most foreign cards.
Can I visit Saijo's sake breweries?
Yes. Saijo is about 35 minutes by JR train from Hiroshima Station, and several historic breweries are a short walk from Saijo Station, many with free tasting rooms during the day. Opening days vary by brewery. The Saijo Sake Festival in October draws large crowds and requires a ticket for the main tasting area.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.