Orizuru Tower is a new attraction in Hiroshima that offers educational and informative collections and exhibitions on the history of the city, as well as fantastic panoramic views of the metro and its surroundings.
Standing at 50 metres tall, it is made up of 12 storeys (mostly office spaces) and an observation deck. Visitors are welcome to explore the cafe and souvenir shop on the 1st floor, the open-plan interactive multimedia area on the 12th floor, and the observatory on the topmost floor. It is found next to the A-Bomb dome and Peace Park.
Activities to enjoy at Orizuru Tower
Learn about the tower, the best sightseeing spots in Hiroshima, and other useful information for tourists.
The Tourist Information counter for Orizuru Tower is located on the 1st floor. It offers assistance not only on things related to Orizuru Tower, but also on the must-see spots, off-the-beaten path recommendations, transportation and accommodation, dining and shopping, and more in Hiroshima. It also provides other tourist services, such as transportation tickets and tours. It has both English and Japanese speaking staff.
Get great views of Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Orizuru Tower’s observation deck, called Hiroshima Hills, is highly recommended to anyone visiting Hiroshima. It is a large space uniquely designed with Japanese cedar and cypress planks, consisting of three open walls that afford guests magnificent views of the metropolis, and, on clear days, the amazing island of Miyajima too.
To access it, you must buy an admission ticket from the observatory ticket counter or the ticket machine on the ground floor.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use the ticket machine:
- The screen displays four different languages: Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and English. Select your language to proceed.
- Choose your type of ticket.
- Pay for your ticket in cash.
- Take your ticket and head to the ticket gates.
- You can choose between using the elevator or the slope to reach the observation deck. As a tip, take the elevator to go up and use the slope to come down.
For group rates, discounts, and other information, visit the Orizuru Tower Ticket Information page.
Educate yourself with the history of Hiroshima, the atomic bombing of the city, peace movements and memorials, and more.
The 12th floor of Orizuru Tower houses a spacious exhibit zone that contains photos, videos, and other displays about the atomic bombing. At times, it also holds special exhibitions and events.
Some notable ones are the Ground Zero, which lets people view the spot where the nuclear bomb was dropped and exploded; the Orizuru Square, where visitors can learn about the atomic bombing incident via digital displays, and also enjoy the opportunity to make their own orizuru crane, a peace symbol made by folding a small piece of paper, by following the instructions provided on the board; the Orizuru Wall, where people can post their own orizuru crane (for 500 yen) and wish for world peace; and an interactive area that has a huge screen that lets kids and adults make orizuru through gesture sensors and controls.
Visit the Orizuru Tower website for news on ongoing and upcoming events.
Dining and shopping facilities
On the observatory floor, there is the Akushu Cafe – Wind Side, which serves take-out only snacks and drinks, including ice cream, momiji-mandju, coffee, tea, wine, beer, whiskey, and sake.
Another Akushu Cafe is found on the 1st floor, called Akushu Cafe – Park Side, which serves fresh and tasty okonomiyaki dishes, veggie curry, and other local cuisines.
A souvenir shop called Hito to Ki is located on the 1st floor, and it has a wide selection of products, including traditional arts and handicrafts, food items, drinks, figurines, toys, postcards, and memorabilia. It also has a cafe that serves light meals, sodas, and alcohol.
How to get to Orizuru Tower
If you are already in Hiroshima, you can access the Orizuru Tower via the city’s tram network known as the Hiroshima Electric Railway or Hiroden.
Take streetcar line #2, #3, #6, or #7, and get off at the Genbaku Dome-mae or Atomic Bomb Dome stop. From there, the tower is only a minute away on foot.
How to get to Hiroshima
If you are coming from Tokyo, you can get to Hiroshima by:
- Plane: Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Ibex Airlines offer daily flights to Hiroshima from Tokyo. A one-way journey costs about 35,000 yen and takes one hour and a half.
- Shinkansen: The JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Line links Hiroshima and Tokyo. Via the Nozomi trains, a one-way direct trip takes four hours, while via the Sakura and the Hikari trains, a one-way trip takes five hours, with a transfer at Shin-Osaka Station. A one-way ticket costs about 19,000 yen.
- Highway bus: There are bus companies that offer overnight bus services between Tokyo and Hiroshima. A one-way trip is approximately 12 hours long, and costs between 6,000 yen to 12,000 yen, depending on the bus operator, seat class, season, and other factors.
From Osaka or Kyoto, you can reach Hiroshima by:
- Shinkansen: The Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Line trains take under two hours to get from either Osaka or Kyoto to Hiroshima. A one-way ticket costs around 11,000 yen.
- Highway bus: By highway bus, the journey takes around seven to nine hours, and costs 3,500 yen to 5,000 yen.
If departing from Fukuoka, the best options to access Hiroshima are by:
- Shinkansen – The journey via the JR Sanyo Shinkansen Line from Fukuoka to Hiroshima takes an hour, and costs about 9,000 yen.
- Highway bus: There are daytime and overnight bus services that run between Fukuoka and Hiroshima, and a one-way trip takes under five hours and costs 2,500 yen to 5,000 yen.
For train options, timetables, fares, and other information, use Hyperdia. For highway bus timetables, routes, fares, and ticket reservations, use Japan Bus Online and Willer Express.
