THE OUTLETS HIROSHIMA — Attraction in Hiroshima

My Unforgettable Day at THE OUTLETS HIROSHIMA

I recently visited THE OUTLETS HIROSHIMA, and wow—it completely changed my perception of outlet malls! As someone who loves both shopping and soaking in unique atmospheres, this place struck the perfect balance. Here’s why I’d go back in a heartbeat:

📍 Getting There Was a Breeze I took a direct bus from Hiroshima Station, and the 40-minute ride flew by. The mall’s location near the airport made it super convenient, and I spotted free shuttle buses (pro tip: check their schedule online beforehand!).

🛍️ Shopping Heaven with Surprising Deals I’m not exaggerating when I say I lost track of time here. With over 150 stores, from luxury brands like Armani and COACH to my favorite Japanese lifestyle shops (Franc franc, I’m looking at you!), there was something for every mood. The discounts blew me away—I snagged a designer bag at 50% off and even stacked it with tax-free savings (don’t forget your passport!).

🌿 More Than Just Shopping What truly stood out was the mall’s design. The open-air, red-brick walkways and cozy gardens felt like strolling through a quaint European town. My favorite spot? The rooftop Sky Plaza! The 360-degree views of the Seto Inland Sea and mountains were so serene—I lingered there with a coffee, almost forgetting I came to shop.

🍴 Food That Surprised Me I expected typical mall food, but the dining options here were a delight. I devoured Hiroshima’s famous okonomiyaki at one stall and later treated myself to a soft-serve ice cream made with local lemons. Sweet, tangy, and utterly refreshing—it was the perfect pick-me-up!

👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Perks Even though I traveled solo, I noticed how thoughtful the facilities were for families: play areas for kids, clean nursing rooms, and free strollers. It’s definitely a spot I’d recommend to friends with little ones.

💡 My Tips for Future Visitors

Go early! I arrived at 10 AM and avoided the midday crowds.

Grab the tourist coupon! The info desk hooked me up with extra discounts just for showing my passport.

Check for events! I lucked out with a seasonal pop-up market, but their website lists fun activities year-round.

🌟 Final Thoughts THE OUTLETS HIROSHIMA isn’t just about scoring deals—it’s an experience. The blend of shopping, scenery, and local flavors left me energized, not drained (a miracle for any outlet trip!). The only downside? Some popular stores had lines later in the day, so plan wisely.

If you’re visiting Hiroshima, carve out half a day for this gem. Trust me, your suitcase (and Instagram feed) will...

The Outlets Hiroshima includes a very wide variety of brands and restaurants, and is a good place to go shopping. However, it is a bit far from the Hiroshima city centre. The website of The Outlets told us to take a bus from Hiroshima Station, but it turned out that the bus only operated on Sundays and Public holidays, which was not mentioned properly on the website. In order to get to The Outlets, you should take the JR San-yō Line to Nishi-Hiroshima Station and take a bus bound for The Outlets.

The Outlets also has a nice skating rink, bowling alley, Karaoke, arcade and a cinema, perfect for family and friends as well. Do note that restaurants are all in the basement.

However, the prices at The Outlets are not very competitive. Nonetheless, it is a good experience and there are also great views of...

The good: Very accessible by public transportation. You can ride a bus like 400yen from Nishi Hiroshima station or hatchobori (which is basically Hiroshima city center), only 20mins ride to the outlet. Bus runs like every 20mins. You could plan your itinerary as part of your return trip from miyajima as nishi hiroshima station is kind of half way from miyajima back to the city.

The brands are pretty good. They have snow peak, GAP, seiko, WEGO, and many more good brands, and a nice large underground food court serving Japanese food.

The not so good: It’s an outdoor outlet, like most premium outlets in the US. But Japan is very hot in the summer and they usually set their air conditioning pretty weak. Drink lots of water and bring a fan, dress appropriately to avoid...