Hiroshima Souvenirs: Momiji Manju, Fried Momiji on Miyajima, Kawadori Mochi, Lemon Sweets, Okonomiyaki Sauce and Where to Buy Them

Quick answer: The classic Hiroshima souvenir is momiji manju, a small maple-leaf-shaped cake with a filling such as bean paste. On Miyajima you can also eat it fried (age-momiji). Other good buys are Kawadori mochi (walnut mochi in kinako), lemon sweets (Hiroshima grows more lemons than anywhere else in Japan) and a bottle of okonomiyaki sauce. The easiest place to shop is Hiroshima Station (minamoa 1F and ekie 2F). For the most momiji shops in one place, walk Miyajima’s Omotesando shopping street.

These are the Hiroshima souvenirs I often buy and recommend: momiji manju, fried momiji on Miyajima, Kawadori mochi, lemon sweets and okonomiyaki sauce. Below is what each one is, who makes it and where to buy it, plus a few other classics I’ve researched.

Momiji manju

Momiji manju (もみじ饅頭) is a small cake shaped like a maple leaf. It was created in the late Meiji era on Miyajima by Takatsu Tsunesuke of the sweet shop Takatsudo, at the request of a ryokan in Momijidani (Maple Valley). The shape was trademarked in 1910. You may hear a story that the idea came from Prime Minister Itō Hirobumi, but that’s a legend.

Classic fillings are koshian (smooth bean paste) and tsubuan (chunky bean paste). Makers now offer many others, such as custard, cheese cream and chocolate.

Nama-momiji came first in a 2025 All About poll of souvenirs in the ¥1,000–1,500 range. Nishikido sells at Hiroshima Station, the Bus Center, department stores and expressway service areas.

Fried momiji on Miyajima

Age-momiji (揚げもみじ) is a momiji manju that’s deep-fried. The name is a registered trademark of Momijido (紅葉堂), a Miyajima shop founded in the late Meiji era.

• Fillings: koshian, tsubuan, cream, chocolate, cheese, Setouchi lemon and more.
• Where: Momijido’s main store and its Niban-ya shop on Miyajima, plus a shop inside ekie at Hiroshima Station (10:00–21:00).
• Payment: listings say cash only, so bring some yen.

See Miyajima: Day Trip or Overnight?.

Kawadori mochi

Kawadori mochi (川通り餅) is made by Kameya (亀屋). It’s soft gyūhi (mochi) with walnuts inside, coated in kinako (roasted soybean flour). It’s linked to a legend from 1350: a Mōri ancestor crossing the Gōnokawa River found a pebble caught in his stirrup, then went on to win a battle.

• Price: a small box of 7 was ¥500 and 15 pieces ¥900. Kameya has posted a price revision, so check the current price.
• Keeps for: 7 days.
• Main store: Higashi Ward, Hiroshima city.

Lemon sweets

Hiroshima is Japan’s No. 1 lemon producer (5,782 tonnes in 2022). Lemon sweets to look for:

• Shimagokoro (島ごころ): a lemon cake made in Setoda on Ikuchijima, using lemon-peel jam. 5 pieces ¥1,350. It came second in the same 2025 poll. Check where it’s sold before you go. See Shimanami Kaido: Bike or Car?.
• Fujiiya’s Awayukika (淡雪花): a lemon sweet from the Miyajima maker.
• Momijido’s lemon age-momiji: fried momiji with Setouchi lemon filling.

Okonomiyaki sauce

A bottle of okonomiyaki sauce lets you take the taste of Hiroshima home. Otafuku, the Hiroshima sauce maker, runs Wood Egg Okonomiyaki-kan in Nishi Ward. There’s a museum you can walk round.

• Open: weekdays only, 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Closed weekends, holidays, Obon, New Year and 1 October.
• Booking: not needed for a self-guided visit in a group of 10 or fewer. Cooking classes need booking.
• Language: guidance is in Japanese only.
• Year end: closed 28 December 2026 to 4 January 2027.

If you’re flying, check your airline’s rules before packing a bottle. See Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Guide.

Other Hiroshima classics

• Hassaku daifuku (はっさく大福): from Hassakuya on Innoshima. Opens 8:30 and closes when sold out.
• Oyster soy sauce (かき醤油): made by Asamurasaki with Hiroshima oysters since 1992 (produced in Kasaoka, Okayama). Hiroshima is Japan’s No. 1 oyster producer. See Hiroshima Oysters Guide.
• Kumano brushes (熊野筆): Kumano is Japan’s largest brush producer, and the brushes are a national traditional craft (1975). Fude-no-Sato Kobo museum is open 9:30–17:00 (closed Mondays).
• Miyajima shamoji (rice paddles): said to have been invented on Miyajima in the late 1700s. At the Miyajima Traditional Industry Hall, a minute from the pier (8:30–17:00, closed Mondays), you can make one for ¥550. Check booking first.

Where to buy

Since August 2025, Hiroden trams have run right into the station building (2F). See Hiroshima Station Guide, Hiroshima Airport to the City and Miyajima and Where to Stay in Hiroshima.

FAQ

What’s the most popular Hiroshima souvenir?
Momiji manju. In a 2025 poll of ¥1,000–1,500 souvenirs, Nishikido’s Nama-momiji came first.

How long do Hiroshima souvenirs keep?
Nishikido momiji manju 20 days, Nama-momiji 14 days, Yamadaya 45 days, Kawadori mochi 7 days.

Can I buy fried momiji outside Miyajima?
Yes. Momijido has a shop inside ekie at Hiroshima Station (10:00–21:00).

Can I buy souvenirs at Hiroshima Airport?
Yes, but the terminal is being renovated until March 2027, so the shops are changing. Check what’s open before you fly.

Prices, hours and shop details checked on maker, city and prefecture websites and travel guides on 29 October 2026. Prices change often, so check before you buy.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.