Free tour
Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Food Walking Tour with a Certified Food Specialist
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Guru: Thomas
Registered on 19 November 2025
Thomas moved to Hiroshima eight years ago after falling in love with both the city and the woman who would become his wife. They first met in a 7-Eleven, where she won a loaf of bread in a small lottery. She didn’t need it, so she gave it to him, and from that simple moment their story began. They later married in a bakery on Hiroshima’s main street, a place they still visit together because it holds a special place in their hearts.
In his spare time, Thomas enjoys studying for different qualifications. He has passed the Japanese national cooking exam and is now preparing for the Japanese sake certification while working toward becoming a nationally licensed guide. As a Hiroshima tourism ambassador, he is honored to share the city’s complex history and the charm of the place he is proud to call home.
Free reservation and cancellation
Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free
Tour description
Step into Hiroshima’s past and taste its resilience on this walking tour with a certified food specialist.
Explore Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a layered savory pancake made by stacking cabbage, noodles, meat, eggs, and other local ingredients on a thin batter and cooking it on a hot plate. Each bite tells a story of tradition, creativity, and community. Vegetarian options are available upon request.
We start in a quiet park to learn the surprising origins of flour-based dishes in Japan, then stroll through Shintenchi, where okonomiyaki first took shape. Along the way, hear stories of resilience, local food culture, and the traditions that make this dish Hiroshima’s soul food.
As we walk, spot landmarks like the hera spatula statue, okonomiyaki-themed manholes, and a surviving A-bomb building.
Try a local arcade and grab a bottle of Otafuku-made okonomiyaki sauce from a crane game, a playful, hands-on way to experience the city’s food culture.
Finally, sit down to enjoy a freshly made okonomiyaki, costing around 2,000 yen per person, and learn how Hiroshima’s beloved Carp baseball team helped make this dish famous. Optional sweets wrap up the tour.
This experience blends food, history, local flavor, and Hiroshima’s remarkable resilience for anyone who wants to taste the city’s story in every bite.
*Food paid by travelers.
Highlights
What will we see on this tour?
Meeting point:
Fukuromachi Park
I’ll be standing in front of the meeting point waving a red flag.
1
Outside visit
Alice Garden
Alice Garden is where Hiroshima’s post-war black market first took shape. After the atomic bombing, food stalls here used whatever they could find to survive, and it’s where okonomiyaki began to evolve into the city’s beloved soul food.
2
Outside visit
Okonomiyaki restaurant
3
Outside visit
Hondori
Hondori is Hiroshima’s bustling main street, lined with shops, restaurants, and landmarks. As we walk through, you’ll get a sense of the city’s lively culture and see how local life has thrived since the post-war rebuilding.
How much does this tour cost?
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).
Who is this tour for?
Accessibility
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group bookings.
Pets
Not suitable for bringing pets.
What should I know?
Minimum attendees
Requires a minimum of 1 people to conduct the tour.
Additional costs
The tour requires payment for entries or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Cash payment only.
Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Food Walking Tour with a Certified Food Specialist
