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Hiroshima Nightlife Guide: 7 Best Nightlife Activities in Hiroshima

  • Writer: Hiroshima Localized
    Hiroshima Localized
  • Jan 29
  • 4 min read


Hiroshima won’t always be the first place that comes to mind when you want to experience nightlife in Japan. Tourists will often go for the vibrance and crowds of Shibuya, the nightclubs of Roppongi, the izakaya restaurants of Shinjuku, the bars in Dotonbori, and the dance clubs in Shinsaibashi, just to name a few. 


But Hiroshima’s nightlife scene still deserves a place in every traveler’s heart, a rightful place. With Hiroshima being located along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea, the nightlife here is beyond measure. However, that doesn’t mean the streets are not pulsating with energy. In fact, walking around feels like you’re in your favorite anime or video game. Get to know seven of the best activities you can do in Hiroshima after dinner.


1. Walk Like a Rogue Along Nagarekawa Street


Nagarekawa Street, aptly located in Hiroshima’s Nagarekawa district, is actually the biggest entertainment district in the region of Chugoku-Shikoku. But, it’s popularity is overshadowed by the other nightlife venues across Japan. 


Nevertheless, you can freely explore the area, where you can find bright neon lights and several restaurants offering both entertainment and relaxation. You can almost imagine yourself wearing that gorgeous black leather jacket as you envision yourself walking its streets, can’t you?



2. Continue Immersing Into the Night at Hatchobori


If the street of Nagarekawa is bringing your boredom, walk to Hatchobori, the area close to Nagarekawa. It’s located at the intersection where Aioi Street and Chuo Street converge and where you can find large shops. It may be a downtown area, not a main area, but it has commercial facilities and restaurants to explore.



3. Experience Irish Music and Drinks at Molly Malone's


Japan once closed its doors to foreign nations and it hasn’t even been largely colonized by Europeans. Yet, Irish culture comes alive at Molly Malone’s, an Irish pub in Hiroshima that opens its doors wide at night to provide you with a space where to create lasting memories. Why Ireland and not Russia, right?


Molly Malone’s is an authentic Irish pub that will make you feel as if you are in the pubs of Dublin when you’re here. Don’t forget to try the Irish drinks and make friends with the locals. Plus, believe it or not, kids can dine here, too!


4. Or, How About an American Party Experience?


Should Irish pubs and bars sound too cliché for you, head over to SHACK, where you can experience American partying, making you reconcile the conflicting differences between Japanese and U.S. cultures? Well, sort of. 


The interiors are spacious, so there are lots of opportunities to make friends and make a move. In case conversations will bore you, you may visit the games room to try your hand at darts or a game of pool. Indulge in the sumptuous southern United States cuisine with pop, metal, and rock music playing in the background. 



5. Enjoy Global Beer at Golden Garden


Molly Malone’s and SHACK can only offer so much. The former has Irish but doesn’t have a lot of American, while the latter has American, but does not have so much British. Well, if you want a share of all worlds, try grabbing a seat at Golden Garden.


Golden Garden is a craft beer specialist store located in Hiroshima’s bustling downtown. It is also of the pub setup, but its menu has the tastiest beers from all over the world – Japan, USA, Great Britain, Germany, and Belgium, among others. Now, that’s a beer buffet.


6. Hop on a Pub Crawl at Ekinishi


If worldwide beer options are still not good enough for you, then Ekinishi is where to take your souls, as this place is perfect for a pub crawl that can test your limits. Yes, this is a bar district that welcomes all kinds of people – local office workers, young women and men, and even successful businessmen. What a way to get to know the crowd. 


Don’t have a car with you? There’s no need to worry because it is just three minutes on foot to the nearest train station, and even if you stay here until around 11 p.m., you can still catch the last train.



7. Feel What Nightlife Looked Like From Old Japan


Interestingly, Japanese nightlife holds a long history, and you can still witness what it feels like on Miyajima Island, that’s correct. You’ve read a lot of things about Miyajima Island, such as it, being a popular destination for a morning tour. But did you know it illuminates brilliantly at night? Literally and metaphorically. 


Here, you can visit Machiya Street, one of the three routes leading to the Itsukushima Shrine from the Miyajima Pier. This street lies just behind Miyajima Omotesando Arcade, but there are no loud clubs here. Instead, you’ll come across a paper lantern-lit avenue dotted with retro-modern coffee shops, galleries, and cars moving along with traditional rickshaws. What a flashback.

 

Looking to dive deeper into Hiroshima’s rich culture and history? Join our local tour guides for our Hiroshima Free Walking Tour!




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