Is Hiroshima Safe in March 2026?

Shops immediately adjacent to the Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima Island ferry terminals charge significantly inflated prices for souvenirs and momiji manju (maple leaf cakes). The same items are available much cheaper a short walk away.

How to avoid: Walk at least one or two blocks from the main tourist entrance before buying souvenirs. Compare prices between multiple shops. Items at the busiest spot are always the most expensive — a short walk saves a lot.

Individuals posing as volunteers at the Peace Memorial Park collect "donations" for rebuilding efforts in envelopes without receipts. Money goes to personal pockets, not any legitimate organization. Often target large groups and tour buses departing the park.

How to avoid: Donate only through official memorial websites or recognized NGOs. Request an official receipt for any donation. Verify volunteer credentials if approached. Donate through your bank or established charity channels instead.

Rickshaw drivers near Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park offer tours at a reasonable quoted price, then at the end of the ride demand a significantly higher fee. They may claim the original price was per person rather than total, or that extras were included.

How to avoid: Always confirm the total all-inclusive price in writing or have the driver clearly state and confirm it before setting off. If the driver refuses to confirm a price upfront, find another.

Restaurants immediately adjacent to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and along the Hondori shopping arcade inflate menu prices for foreign tourists, sometimes using a separate English-language menu with prices 30–60% higher than the Japanese-language version. Staff may also add undisclosed service charges or cover fees that appear only on the final bill. The practice is concentrated in the blocks between the park and Aioi-dori avenue.

How to avoid: Ask to see the Japanese-language menu if available, or compare prices using Google Translate on the posted menu outside before entering. Check the bill itemization carefully before paying. Restaurants registered with the Hiroshima Tourism Bureau typically post all charges clearly.

Touts near Miyajima Island ferry terminals and Hiroshima Castle offer discounted tickets that turn out to be fake or stolen. The fraud is only discovered at the gate, leaving tourists having paid twice.

How to avoid: Buy all attraction tickets and transport passes directly from official ticket counters or vending machines. Never purchase from individuals outside attraction entrances, regardless of the discount offered.