Best Shopping Spots in Hiroshima

Jun 28, 2023

Best Shopping Spots in Hiroshima

From bustling high streets crammed with retailers to stylish shopping malls with dining and entertainment options, there is no shortage of shopping options in Hiroshima. The city center is home to many of the busiest areas, but you can also find some great districts on the prefecture’s outskirts. Here are a few hot spots where expats can pick up a bargain or two.

Kamiyacho Shareo

This underground mall opened in 2001 and is home to over 80 shops and restaurants. Very conveniently located in central Hiroshima, close to the Peace Memorial Park, it’s a great place to hunt for great deals and take respite from the heat in summer. There are a variety of outlets, including fashion stores, sportswear stores, and sweet shops. You can also find restaurants, coffee shops, and tea rooms. The mall is open until 9:00 p.m. daily.

Website: https://www.shareo.net/ (Japanese)

The Outlets

A bit further afield but well worth the excursion as it constitutes a day trip. This AEON-operated mall in the western Saeki ward off the Sanyo Expressway is Hiroshima’s biggest shopping mall. Within its two stories are over 230 brand-name stores, plus a food court selling Asian and European cuisine and an entertainment area that features a cinema, bowling alley, ice rink, trampoline park, and video games zone. You occasionally see the odd street performer thrown in for good measure, too! The upper floor is outdoors, although partial roof coverage provides shelter in bad weather.

Website: https://the-outlets-hiroshima.com/

Hondori

This is downtown Hiroshima’s central shopping district, a 577-meter covered promenade with everything from small independent stores to high-end global brand names. Hondori runs along Peace Memorial Park, making for a pleasant gentle stroll or a full-on retail experience. You can find everything from fashion stores, jewelry stores, pharmacies, anime merch specialists, 100 Yen discount stores, restaurants, bars, and a cinema here. The district also hosts Hiroshima’s annual Ebisu festival each January.

Website: https://www.hondori.or.jp/en/

Marina Hop

A seaside shopping arcade that leads out towards the Seto Inland Sea, Marina Hop is more about the overall experience than a simple shopping excursion. There are plenty of stores here – including sports stores, clothing outlets, household goods stores, and vintage stores – but it doesn’t get quite as busy as some of the central malls. Plenty of entertainment is on offer, including an aquarium, an amusement park, and even a petting zoo, plus an events calendar. It’s also an excellent location for a peaceful stroll where you can walk along, sit, and watch the boats in the harbor.

Website: https://www.marinahop.com/ (Japanese)

Hiroshima Parco

Parco is a chain of department stores that originated in Tokyo. It’s mainly centered around fashion brands that appeal to younger shoppers, but you can also find other goods such as sportswear, cosmetics, and some household goods. The Hiroshima Parco is spread across two buildings close to Hatchobori station and is a popular meeting destination and a place to shop for good deals on top brands.

Website: Hiroshima Parco

そらみみ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons