Gay Hiroshima: The Ultimate Guide for gay travelers

This is a moderately-sized gay bar, perfect for a friendly gathering before heading out to the clubs. It’s a great mix of people from across the LGBTQ spectrum. The staff are friendly, and although we couldn’t speak each other’s languages, we still found little ways to communicate. The host did make us giggle when they charged our straight peers more money for seating. Sure, it’s not the same as being discriminated against in marriage, but it’s something. “Now you know how it feels!” we kept teasing. 

Owned by a super sweet lesbian couple, Nagomi is a quiet, tiny gay bar located at a curry restaurant called Astronote in the Hondōrion district. They host a monthly lesbian/WLW (women who love women) night for ¥3,000 per person. And true to the brand, this one's for the ladies only. So, sorry lads, but no boys allowed!

Is it a bar? Or is it a shrine to music? We think it’s a bit of both! Mac Bar is covered in pop-culture references to the world’s most beloved artists. You could literally spend hours skimming through the shelves of CDs that line the walls. And the DJ seemed to know everything there was to know about music. No request was too obscure or silly. If we wanted Gaga, they’d happily play ‘Born This Way.’ If some other lady wanted a bit of Dolly they’d blast a bit of ‘9 to 5’. It's basically, a gay man’s Spotify playlist come to life, with drinks! 

A night at Step 1 is pretty much what the inside of our minds looks like all the time. Pulsing Latin music. Drinks flowing. Energetic live performances. And hot bar staff. It couldn’t be more over the top and ridiculously camp. Just like it says in the name, this gay friendly club attracts many internationals which makes it a great place to pop into, be social, make friends, and pick up travel recommendations. 

They don’t call it the No. 1 hip hop club in Hiroshima for nothing. Club G is the antithesis of Japanese culture. It’s loud. It’s unapologetic. And it’s not afraid to hold back. In the past, they’ve had events like ‘Turn Up Tuesday’ and ‘Up in Da Club’ with great music and drink discounts. We especially loved their Latin night, with music from some of our favorite Latinx divas. Think Shakira, Selena, J-Lo, and so much more. 

An eclectic DJ setlist? Bespoke Japanese-style cocktails? Guests from all over the world? It could only be a night at Barcos. Situated in the bustling downtown area, Barcos has managed to maintain its legacy as a wild night out since it first opened. DJs will play (almost) any song you request, and the bar staff will happily make your drink just the way you like it. So, you pretty much feel in control the whole evening. And the best part? Tourists get in for free!

We heard from many folks that this restaurant had the best okonomiyaki in the city – even its own website wasn’t afraid to boast about it. Naturally, we had to test it for ourselves. We’re delighted to say it holds up. It was messy, it was an explosion of flavors, it was utterly Heaven. The décor is super cute, with posters and knick-knacks dotted around the room. Our hostess explained it was a homage to the Showa period, who was the emperor from 1926 to 1989, making it feel ultra-nostalgic (even for us who had never witnessed the era). 

Usually, flat noodles wouldn’t be something that would have us jumping for joy. But in this place, they work. After many years of trial and error, the chefs mastered their recipe, creating a dish that is so mouth-wateringly delicious, it’ll have you itching for seconds… and thirds… and maybe even fourths! Their special soy sauce, which again was perfected through years of experimentation with various ingredients, goes great with everything. It’s very clear how much pride the staff have in the food they serve. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but each of our dishes was completely worth devouring.

Let’s face it, you can’t go to Japan without gorging on some sushi. And Sushitei was our absolute favorite spot that served it. Not only were staff super sweet, but they were full of recommendations on what we should try. Menus were (thankfully) provided in English, and we could choose between a set menu or individual dishes. Everything is delicious, the freshest sushi, sashimi and tempura. There are several Sushitei locations across the city, but we went to the Hikarimachi branch. It’s a fabulous place to bring families, with tables that sit up to 15 people.

You can’t visit Hiroshima without seeing the Peace Memorial Park. It is one of the truest ways to appreciate how deeply the city was affected by the atomic bomb. It’s an intense experience, but a necessary one. The park features a museum, which goes over the events and history pre-and post-World War II. The most striking feature of the park is the A-Bomb Dome – a building that had been partially destroyed in the explosion. It’s still standing today and serves as an ode to preserving peace around the world. Join a walking tour with a guide to learn all about the history in more depth.

To help further your understanding of the Hiroshima tragedy, visit the Peace Memorial Museum. It's the second most visited attraction in Japan, after Miyajima Island – which is also in Hiroshima (more on that below). At the Peace Memorial Museum you will find items that once belonged to the victims, as well as the chance to read and view testimonies provided by survivors. It's message to the world is ‘No More Hiroshima’ – stressing the necessity for keeping peace and to never again resort to the brutal act of using nuclear weapons.

Having been destroyed in the atomic blast, Hiroshima Castle is a prime example of Japanese resilience. What was once home to the city’s feudal lord (daimyo), it was a defining feature of the skyline from the 1590s. It was rebuilt in the late 1950s as a replica of the original, re-opening as a museum on Hiroshima history before World War II. Most fascinating is how three trees survived the bomb and can still be found inside the castle to this day – a eucalyptus, a willow, and a holly. We visited the castle as part of a bike tour, which was a really fun way to explore the city.

Art lovers will have a field day with this one. Spanning centuries, the Hiroshima Museum of Art covers iconic periods like romanticism, impressionism, and modernism (to name just a few). It houses works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Matisse and Renoir, along with traditional Japanese art which is just beautiful. The museum is also home to the iconic Picasso painting “Two women sitting at a bar” and Van Gogh’s “Daubigny's Garden.” After you’ve finished feeling cultured, you can pop into the lovely café, then drink some tea or coffee, while enjoying an array of yummy cakes and sandwiches.

Emerging from the dense fog that surrounds the island of Miyajima (also called Itsukushima), is the iconic Torii gate. Standing upright in the water, it serves as a symbol to visitors that they are moving from the mundane to a sacred place. We’d recommend setting appart half a day to explore the island as there are several shrines and temples to visit, including the Daishō-in Temple on Mount Misen. Just be prepared for the wild deer who inhabit the island as they won’t be afraid to dash across your path from seemingly nowhere. The high-pitched scream we both emitted when one shot across our trail could probably be heard throughout the country!

We all love pancakes – and okonomiyaki is the savory Japanese version. Things are done a little differently in Hiroshima. Whereas in other parts of Japan, locals like to mix up their ingredients, Hiroshima natives like to layer them. They use an assortment of foods like cabbage, pork, squid, and cheese, depending on your mood. Some even like to throw in noodles as a topping with a bit of fried egg and okonomiyaki sauce. Sound messy? It for sure is. But delicious? You bet!