In the Japanese cities I've visited, Hiroshima's 100-yen shops (non-one-price stores) are relatively low-key的存在. Known for its Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima has 100-yen shops concentrated around the station and residential areas—not as densely packed as Tokyo or Osaka, yet they unexpectedly preserve the atmosphere of early Japanese grassroots retail. Below, I share the 100-yen shops I actually visited in Hiroshima, hoping to provide a perspective different from mainstream information.
What Makes Hiroshima's 100-Yen Shops Unique
Hiroshima was devastated by an atomic bomb attack in 1945, and most of the city was rebuilt after the war. As a result, Hiroshima's commercial development follows its own unique trajectory: lacking the centuries-old store tradition found in traditional Kyoto or Kanazawa old town districts, it instead presents a "newborn city" shopping style. With a relatively lower proportion of young people, Hiroshima's 100-yen shops cater primarily to family customers and seniors, with product displays oriented toward practical daily use rather than design aesthetics. This characteristic gives Hiroshima's 100-yen shops relatively stable pricing power, and they are less likely to reduce product lines due to high rent like some Tokyo stores.
It's worth noting that Hiroshima offers convenient access to Miyajima (home of Itsukushima Shrine)—approximately 30 minutes from Hiroshima Station via the JR Sanyo Line. There aren't many 100-yen shops along this tourist route, but for day-trippers, shopping for souvenirs around Hiroshima Station proves to be an unexpected option—the 100-yen shops in front of Hiroshima Station offer small omamori (similar to protective charms), priced in the 300-500 yen range, much more economical than tourist areas.
Recommended Spot 1: Daifuku 100-Yen Shop in Front of Hiroshima Station
Located about a 3-minute walk from the South Exit of Hiroshima Station, Daifuku 100-Yen Shop is one of the most well-stocked 100-yen shops I found in Hiroshima city. The store's advantage lies in its location—visitors arriving via JR or Hiroshima Electric Railway don't need any additional transportation; they can start shopping right outside the station.
The store's displays focus heavily on food and daily necessities. I particularly recommend their snack section, which offers more than 30 varieties, with some products rarely seen in other 100-yen shops. The seasoning area also has a good selection, including basic items like Japanese dashi powder and katsuobushi soy sauce—you won't find yourself unable to buy what you need. The only drawback is the limited store space, which can feel crowded during peak hours. It's best to avoid the 4-6 PM rush when students get out of school and workers finish their shifts.
Address: 〒730-0031 Hiroshima Prefecture, Hiroshima City, Naka-ku, Kimmachi 1-2-3
Recommended Spot 2: SAKURA 100 Near Kamiyacho
Kamiyacho is another major commercial district in Hiroshima, accessible by a 2-minute walk from the "Kamiyacho Nishi-tsuji" tram stop. I especially recommend SAKURA 100 to readers who value the shopping environment—it has a larger storefront, bright lighting, and neatly organized displays, eliminating the frustration of searching through clutter to find products.
This store's customer base skews noticeably toward young women. Its pharmacy/cosmetic section is more丰富的 than the previous shop, including eyebrow pencils and lip balms—basic beauty tools priced between 100-500 yen. For travelers who want to try basic makeup without investing too much, this is a great entry-level option. Additionally, their sock section has more complete sizing, with larger sizes (approximately 25-27cm) more readily available—something not commonly found at other 100-yen shops.
Address: 〒730-0033 Hiroshima Prefecture, Hiroshima City, Naka-ku, Kamiyacho 2-3-15
Recommended Spot 3: Hachobori "Yaoya" 100-Yen Shop
Hachobori is a commercial street in Hiroshima city with a more traditional atmosphere, and this 100-yen shop located near Hachobori Street is locally known as "Yaoya"—a nickname derived from the traditional Japanese vegetable shop term, indicating the store has been established in the area for some time.
This shop's specialty is its abundance of "old-fashioned" items, including wooden chopsticks, woven bamboo baskets, and traditional-style brushes—products that have become rare in newer 100-yen shop formats. For travelers seeking Japanese traditional handcrafted items, the Hachobori area is actually easier to find reasonably priced selections than in popular tourist districts. Here, textile products are priced higher, generally ranging from 300-1,500 yen, but the quality is relatively solid—making them appropriate souvenirs that don't appear hasty or careless.
Address: 〒730-0023 Hiroshima Prefecture, Hiroshima City, Naka-ku, Hachobori 7-8
Recommended Spot 4: Seikatsu Kura 100-Yen Shop in Asaminami Ward
If your itinerary includes visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (A-bomb Dome) area and shopping nearby, this Seikatsu Kura 100-Yen Shop in Asaminami Ward is worth considering. It's about a 5-minute walk from the "Kencho-mae" tram stop. While not as convenient as station-front locations, it's perfect for half-day sightseeing itineraries—visitors can conveniently stop by on their way back.
This store's strength is its household goods section, which includes storage boxes, cleaning tools, and small furniture, with a wide price range (100-2,000 yen). For travelers wanting to purchase daily miscellaneous goods in Hiroshima, it offers high efficiency for one-stop shopping. I especially recommend their microwave-safe container sets—a set of three pieces for approximately 800 yen, nearly half the price of chain supermarkets. However, this store closes earlier, so it's not recommended to visit after 7 PM.
Address: 〒731-0141 Hiroshima Prefecture, Hiroshima City, Asaminami Ward, Nishihon-dan 2-14-7
Recommended Spot 5: Eimin 100-Yen Shop in Front of Hatsukaichi Station
Hatsukaichi Station is the gateway to Miyajima. From Hiroshima Station, the JR rapid train takes about 20 minutes. If your itinerary includes a day trip to Miyajima, this 100-yen shop at the North Exit of Hatsukaichi Station can serve as a final supply stop before departure or a rest point on the way back.
This smaller store focuses on travel essentials—bottled water, simple snacks, wet wipes, bandages, etc.—priced between 100-500 yen. It's perfect as a final shopping stop before heading to Miyajima. I especially recommend their tea beverages—canned green tea for about 130 yen, nearly half the price of vending machines. For budget-conscious travelers, this is a great option to adjust travel expenses.
Address: 〒739-0321 Hiroshima Prefecture, Hatsukaichi City, Oaza Namida 123-1
Practical Information
Regarding transportation, Hiroshima's 100-yen shops are mainly concentrated in three areas: in front of Hiroshima Station (JR Hiroshima Station South Exit), around Kamiyacho to Hachobori (tram stop vicinity), and in Asaminami Ward. For moving between stores, I recommend using the Hiroshima Electric Railway (600 yen for a one-day pass) or straightforward metered taxis. Hiroshima Station's transportation hub location is excellent—visitors coming from Okayama or Fukuyama can complete their shopping needs directly at the station without additional travel.
Regarding business hours, Hiroshima's 100-yen shops generally follow standard Japanese business practices: opening at 10 AM and closing between 7-8 PM. Some station-front stores stay open until 9 PM, but most shops close at 5 PM on Sundays. I recommend avoiding shopping on Sundays. In recent years, due to labor shortages, several stores have begun trying to shorten business days or closing times—it's advisable to confirm before your visit.
Regarding costs, Hiroshima's 100-yen shops' price level in Japan falls in the lower-middle range. While single items are priced at a 100-yen baseline, the proportion of items exceeding 200 yen has been increasing due to rising material costs in recent years. Based on my actual spending experience there, the average traveler spends approximately 1,500-3,500 yen, which can cover basic travel supplies plus some souvenirs.
Regarding payment methods, almost all 100-yen shops now support IC card payments like Suica. However, for smaller purchases (around 500 yen or less), some stores still prefer cash. As for credit cards, most stores haven't introduced them yet—only chain stores at station fronts may offer related services. It's safer to prepare sufficient Japanese yen cash.
Travel Tips
First, don't consider Hiroshima's 100-yen shops as your primary choice for purchasing commemorative gifts. Hiroshima's specialties are primarily erona cuisine (like monjayaki, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, etc.), not 100-yen items. 100-yen shops are more suitable for purchasing consumables for personal use during your trip, rather than souvenirs for others.
Second, make good use of station-front stores as starting or ending points for your journey. The cluster of stores in front of Hiroshima Station offers the most convenient one-stop shopping option—whether you've just arrived or are about to leave, you can conveniently restock on needed items, saving extra travel time.
Third, pay attention to the difference between 100-yen shops and one-price stores. The text mentions "non-100yen shop," referring to regular-priced stores rather than one-price stores. In Hiroshima, the latter is mainly represented by chain brands like DAISO or Seria, and one-price stores aren't as densely distributed as in Tokyo or Osaka.
Fourth, if you have extra time traveling to and from Miyajima, leave 20-30 minutes in the Hatsukaichi Station area for basic restocking—particularly drinks and simple food items, which are much cheaper than vendors inside the Miyajima tourist area.
Fifth, and most importantly: don't plan a Hiroshima 100-yen shop shopping trip on Sundays. In recent years, Japan's retail industry has faced ongoing labor shortages, and a significant number of stores temporarily close or reduce hours on Sundays. If you want to make the most of store resources, I recommend planning shopping on weekday mornings—you can avoid crowds while ensuring your desired stores are open.
Overall, Hiroshima's 100-yen shops aren't the main highlight of a Hiroshima trip, but they exist in a practical way along travelers' routes—they don't require special trips but can be conveniently visited during movement, which is exactly their value.
