What to Buy in Hiroshima: 6 Best Souvenirs
Hiroshima's souvenirs carry the weight of craft and memory—from Miyajima's maple-leaf sweets and hand-carved rice scoops to the brushes that put a neighbouring town on the world map. The city's okonomiyaki culture and oyster abundance translate into edible gifts, while its artisans preserve traditions born from island workshops and mountain villages.
Momiji Manjū もみじ饅頭
Miyajima's signature sweet is a soft sponge cake shaped like a maple leaf, traditionally filled with sweet red bean paste but now available in custard, chocolate, matcha, and cheese. Born over a century ago on the island, it has become Hiroshima's most recognizable edible souvenir.
💡 Buy freshly baked from island shops for softer texture, or boxed assortments at the ferry terminal for variety and longer shelf life.
Miyajima Rice Scoop 宮島しゃもじ
The shamoji, a flat wooden rice paddle, has been carved on Miyajima for over two centuries and is considered a symbol of good fortune and victory. These scoops range from tiny keychain versions to ceremonial giants, all crafted from local wood.
💡 Look for natural unvarnished wood with a smooth finish; avoid overly decorated tourist versions if you want a functional kitchen tool.
Kumano Brushes 熊野筆
Made in Kumano town just outside Hiroshima, these brushes are among Japan's finest—used by calligraphers, artists, and makeup professionals worldwide. The bristles are hand-selected and bound using centuries-old techniques, creating tools of exceptional softness and precision.
💡 Makeup brushes make excellent gifts; buy from dedicated Kumano brush shops in central Hiroshima for authenticity and expert advice.
Oyster Products 牡蠣
Hiroshima produces roughly half of Japan's oysters, and the local catch is transformed into smoked oysters, oyster sauce, preserved oysters in oil, and dried oyster snacks. These products capture the briny richness of the Seto Inland Sea in shelf-stable form.
💡 Canned or jarred smoked oysters travel well; check production dates and choose products from Miyajima or Hiroshima Bay processors.
Okonomiyaki Sauce and Kits お好み焼きソース
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki has its own sweeter, thicker sauce, and local brands bottle the authentic flavour alongside DIY kits that include dried ingredients and instructions. These kits let you recreate the layered noodle pancake at home.
💡 Otafuku is the dominant local brand; buy sauce bottles at department store food floors or complete kits at souvenir shops near Okonomi-mura.
Hassaku Citrus Sweets 八朔
Hassaku, a tart citrus fruit cultivated in Hiroshima Prefecture since the Edo period, appears in marmalades, jellies, dried peels, and candies that balance sweet and bitter. The fruit is a regional pride, especially from the Innoshima area.
💡 Look for hassaku marmalade or candied peel at station gift shops; the bitterness cuts through sweetness better than standard mikan products.
Miyajima's Omotesandō arcade offers the widest selection of momiji manjū and rice scoops, while Hiroshima Station's ekie shopping complex stocks okonomiyaki sauce, Kumano brushes, and packaged oyster products under one roof. For artisan brushes, seek out Kumano Fude Select shops in the Hondori covered arcade downtown.
Frequently asked questions
Crafts of this region
Authentic pieces made near here — learn the story, then bring one home.
Bizen Ware
備前焼 · Bizen, Okayama
Hagi Ware
萩焼 · Hagi, Yamaguchi
Kumano Brushes
熊野筆 · Kumano, Hiroshima
Sekishu Washi
石州和紙 · Hamada, Shimane