Hiroshima is a city that’s not only about its profound history but also about its lively, authentic food scene. Unlike Tokyo or Osaka, Hiroshima offers a more relaxed pace with unique dining experiences rooted in local culture. Our favorites include a food and culture guided tour that explores the city’s vibrant nightlife and local eateries and a scenic dinner cruise that combines beautiful views with a delicious meal. If sake tasting appeals to you, the Saijo Sake Tasting Calligraphy and Dinner Private Tour provides a deep dive into Japan’s beloved rice wine. For those who prefer active outings with a tasty twist, the Peace Bicycle Tour and Okonomiyaki Dinner offers a fun way to see the city while enjoying Hiroshima’s famous pancake. Each of these options captures a different side of Hiroshima’s culinary scene, making the city a perfect destination for food lovers.
Quick Overview
Hiroshima’s best dining experiences cover a broad spectrum—from intimate guided food walks to scenic boat dinners, and cultural sake tastings to active bicycle tours with local food stops. Whether you want to explore local tachinomi-style restaurants, cruise past iconic sights with a meal in hand, or learn about sake brewing with a calligraphy touch, this list has something for every taste and interest. Check out these top picks:
- Hiroshima: Food and Culture Guided Walking Tour with Dinner
- Dinner Cruise on HANAIKADA with Scenic View of Miyajima
- Hiroshima Saijo Sake Tasting Calligraphy and Dinner Private Tour
- Hiroshima Peace Bicycle Tour and Okonomiyaki Dinner
1. Hiroshima: Food and Culture Guided Walking Tour with Dinner
This private tour offers an immersive evening experience exploring Hiroshima’s lively nightlife while tasting local food. For just $85 per person, you’ll spend about 3 hours walking through the city’s entertainment districts, sampling dishes at three tachinomi-style restaurants—the kind where locals gather for drinks and bites in a relaxed setting. You’ll also enjoy three beverages of your choice, which could be anything from local beers to soft drinks.
What makes this tour stand out is its focus on authentic local venues—not tourist traps—and its insider’s perspective on Hiroshima’s everyday culture. The itinerary includes stops at Hiroshima Hondori Shopping Street, where you get a glimpse of local shopping and entertainment, and Nagarekawa Dori, a bustling street lined with bars and eateries. The guide’s engaging storytelling makes history and local customs come alive, enriching the dining experience.
Reviews praise the guide’s enthusiasm and the quality of the food, with one saying, “Ken was vibrant, engaging, and took us to fantastic local spots.” This tour is perfect for travelers who want to combine gastronomy, culture, and casual strolling. It’s a good value, considering the variety of food and drinks included, and suits those who love exploring neighborhoods with a knowledgeable local.
Bottom Line: An excellent way to experience Hiroshima’s nightlife and food scene in a relaxed, authentic setting. Best for travelers who want a guided, intimate look into local dining.
2. Dinner Cruise on HANAIKADA with Scenic View of Miyajima
For around $104, this scenic dinner cruise offers a memorable evening on Ono Seto Sea aboard the raft-shaped vessel HANAIKADA. It’s a truly distinctive experience—floating gently while enjoying a delicious meal with unobstructed views of Miyajima’s famous floating Torii gate and the tranquil waters of the Seto Inland Sea.
The tour begins at Ono-Ura Station, where a shuttle transports you to the port. Once onboard, you’ll cruise for about two hours, with the chance to relax on the spacious deck and soak in the changing scenery. Many reviewers mention how intimate and special this experience feels—some even comment on being the only travelers on the boat, which adds a VIP touch. During the cruise, you can enjoy local seafood, and the quiet, calm water makes for a peaceful dinner setting.
The natural beauty of Miyajima and the sunset views are the highlights here. The boat’s small scale enhances the feeling of exclusivity, and the chance to see oyster farms and the historic island from the water makes it uniquely memorable.
Bottom Line: This cruise is ideal for couples or anyone wanting a peaceful, scenic dinner with a touch of romance and privacy. It’s a relaxing, picture-perfect way to see Hiroshima’s iconic sights from the water.
3. Hiroshima Saijo Sake Tasting Calligraphy and Dinner Private Tour
At number 3 on our list, this private tour combines sake tasting with a Japanese calligraphy experience, all within Saijo’s famed sake brewing district. For about $288, you get around five hours of immersion into Hiroshima’s famed sake culture, visiting three breweries and enjoying a personal, hands-on calligraphy session at Sanyotsuru.
The tour begins with a visit to Mitate Shrine, where sake has been enshrined for generations. Then, you visit Kamotsuru, Hakubotan, and Sanyotsuru breweries, where staff show you the sake-making process and let you taste the subtle differences in each brewery’s brew. The highlight is the calligraphy experience—using the same spring water that’s used in sake—allowing you to create your own label on beautiful paper, adding a personal touch to your souvenir collection.
Guests rave about the in-depth insight into sake brewing and the opportunity to taste a diverse range of very local, high-quality sake. This tour is perfect for connoisseurs or anyone interested in Japanese craftsmanship and tradition. The luxury of personalized attention and the combination of tasting and cultural activity makes this a premium yet rewarding experience.
Bottom Line: Ideal for travelers who want to deepen their understanding of Japan’s sake and enjoy a luxurious, culturally rich outing. Best suited for those with an appreciation for craftsmanship and tradition.
4. Hiroshima Peace Bicycle Tour and Okonomiyaki Dinner
For those who want an active day with a culinary payoff, this bike tour is a fun and energetic way to see Hiroshima’s key landmarks. Priced around $108, it combines a two-hour guided bike ride through Peace Park, Hiroshima Castle, and other historic sites with a stop to enjoy Hiroshima’s famous Okonomiyaki—a savory, layered pancake cooked with various ingredients.
The bike route offers an easy ride suitable for most fitness levels, and you’ll hear stories behind Hiroshima’s reconstruction and peace efforts during the ride. Afterward, you visit a local bakery for a pastry, then indulge in a traditional Hiroshima-yaki dinner. While reviews are still limited, the concept of combining sightseeing with local cuisine appeals to travelers who enjoy an active approach to sightseeing.
This experience is ideal if you want to cover more ground and learn about Hiroshima’s resilience while tasting the city’s signature dish. It also offers a more casual, small-group atmosphere, making it easier to ask questions and connect with your guide.
Bottom Line: Perfect for active travelers who want to combine sightseeing with a delicious local meal. Suitable for families or those comfortable cycling.
$108.42 per person
How to Choose Your Hiroshima Dining Experience
Depending on your interests and travel style, each of these tours offers a different way to experience Hiroshima’s food scene. If you prefer a relaxed, guided introduction to local nightlife and restaurants, the Food and Culture Guided Walking Tour is a top choice. For stunning waterside scenery paired with a peaceful dinner, the Dinner Cruise won’t disappoint. Sake enthusiasts should consider the Saijo Sake Tasting and Calligraphy for a cultural deep dive, while active travelers or families who like cycling will enjoy the Peace Bicycle Tour combined with local Okonomiyaki.
Think about your budget, how much time you want to spend, and whether your priority is culture, scenic beauty, or active exploration. Booking early is advisable, especially for popular experiences like the dinner cruise or sake tour, which can fill up quickly.
Hiroshima offers a wonderful range of dining experiences that go beyond just eating—each one connects you with the city’s traditions, scenery, and people. From savoring local sake with a calligraphy twist to exploring Hiroshima’s lively nightlife, you’ll leave with a richer appreciation of this remarkable city. Whether you’re after a romantic evening, cultural insight, or a fun outdoor adventure, these tours make for memorable dining in Hiroshima.