A district view in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture

Hidden Japan Guide

Higashihiroshima Travel Guide: Sake and University City

11/09/2026

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A practical English guide to Higashihiroshima: sake country, the university city and access from Hiroshima.

Operational details such as opening hours, admission fees, and train times can change. Prefer official pages and reconfirm before you travel (sources checked on 08 November 2026).

Why visit

Higashihiroshima is an inland city east of Hiroshima known for sake brewing around Saijo and for Hiroshima University’s campus. It feels more spacious than Hiroshima city, with brewery streets and student districts.
Saijo’s brewery area is the main visitor draw, reachable from Higashihiroshima station.
A good half-day or overnight for sake tasting away from the Peace Park crowds.

Top places and highlights

Higashihiroshima city hall — Photo: Asturio Cantabrio · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Platforms at Higashihiroshima station — Photo: Takeshi Kuboki from Amagasaki, Japan · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Saijo sake

Brewery streets and tastings.

University city

Campus and student neighbourhoods.

Station centre

Shops and civic buildings.

Inland Hiroshima

A quieter base than the prefectural capital.

Food and drink

Getting there and around

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Where to stay

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Best time to visit

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Practical tips

Tastings are for adults.
Brewery hours vary.
Do not drink and drive.

Suggested day-trip outline

Morning: train from Hiroshima.
Late morning: Saijo brewery streets.
Lunch: local.
Afternoon: more tastings or campus area.
Late afternoon: station shops.
Evening: return or stay over.

Before you go

Timetables, fares, admission fees, and seasonal access rules can change. Check the official tourism and transport sites linked below for the latest information before you travel.

Explore More of Japan

Published guides that pair with this one:

Browse every Chugoku guide on this site for the rest of the region.

Sources

city.higashihiroshima.lg.jp (checked 2026-11-08)
pref.hiroshima.lg.jp (checked 2026-11-08)