Hiroshima cash culture 2026: 9 exchange points, A-bomb Park payments, and the okonomiyaki cash trap
⚡ 30-Second Answer: Hiroshima has 9 currency-exchange points in two clusters — 5 in the Kamiyacho / Hatchobori shopping core (Smart Exchange ×3, WCS Hiroshima in the Aqua building, Daikokuya Hondori) and 3 Smart Exchange machines inside the 7-Elevens at Hiroshima Station. Cheapest is Wise/Revolut at the Hiroshima Station Seven Bank ATM (~0.5% off mid-market); for a counter, WCS Hiroshima (1.5–2%) or Daikokuya Hondori (1.3–1.8%). Card acceptance runs ~80–85%, but Okonomimura is mostly cash-only, Hiroshima Castle entry (¥370) and Itsukushima Shrine entry (¥300) are cash, and half the Miyajima momiji-manju shops take cash only — carry ¥20,000–¥30,000 and pull ¥5,000 before the Miyajima ferry.
Quick Reference
Value
Exchange points
9 (Kamiyacho/Hatchobori 5 + Hiroshima Sta. 3)
Cheapest route
Wise/Revolut → Hiroshima Sta. Seven Bank ATM (~0.5%)
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Hiroshima is the Peace-Memorial-Park + Miyajima day trip for most foreign visitors. Money-wise, the city carries a slightly more cash-friendly culture than Tokyo — card acceptance hits roughly 80–85% versus Tokyo's 95%+, and the famous okonomiyaki shops are notorious for being cash-only. 9 exchange points are distributed across the Kamiyacho / Hatchobori central shopping district and Hiroshima Station. Plan on ¥20,000+ in cash.
TL;DR
9 exchange points across Kamiyacho / Hatchobori / Hiroshima Station
Major chains: Smart Exchange, World Currency Shop, Daikokuya
Card acceptance: solid at major chains, okonomiyaki shops are usually cash
Recommended cash: ¥20,000–¥30,000
1. Exchange points by zone
a. Central shopping district (Kamiyacho / Hatchobori)
Shop
Location
Notes
Smart Exchange Hiroshima
Naka-ku, Kamiyacho
Auto-machine, downtown core
Smart Exchange Hatchobori
Naka-ku, Hatchobori 7-13
On the shopping arcade
WCS Hiroshima
Naka-ku, Motomachi 6-78 (Aqua Hiroshima)
Counter
Daikokuya Hiroshima Hondori
Naka-ku, Hondori
Inside the Hondori arcade
SMART EXCHANGE 7-Eleven Hiroshima Teppocho-North
Naka-ku, Teppocho 6-15
Convenience-store location
This is Hiroshima's main shopping zone — Hondori arcade, Shareo underground mall, PARCO Hiroshima.
b. Hiroshima Station
Shop
Location
SMART EXCHANGE 7-Eleven JR Hiroshima Station Central Exit