Hiroshima, a city that Americans associate with the A-Bomb, yet a city that has rebuilt itself remarkably well in the last seventy years. Had we never learned about what happened in Hiroshima in school, we would never know of the horrific events that took place here.

Modern and bustling with people, Hiroshima appears like any other Japanese city — clean, high-tech, and easily navigable. For our exploration of the city, we decided to stay at Santiago Guesthouse.

When researching accommodations from home, sometimes it's hard to know where the “right” location to stay is; everything seems foreign, and everything is foreign! It always comes as a pleasant surprise when the place you booked for the night happens to be right in the heart of it all.

The Location.

Santiago Guesthouse, run by owner Masa, is as central as I could have wanted; we were able to walk to the Peace Park, A-Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Museum, and tasty restaurants all in under ten minutes. If this isn't centrally located, I don't know what is!

The Accommodation.

The rooms, spanning two floors, are clean and spacious. Like some of the other guest houses in Japan, each bed has its own cubby with proper walls, a curtain, and a light. Not only did this make sleeping more comfortable, but it made for a great, quiet work space as well.

The Facilities.

There were also ample facilities — the bathrooms were spotless, there were heaps of showers with hair dryers, and high speed free WiFi throughout all of the rooms. The common area, also serving as reception, had some lockers in case you wanted to lock up your valuables. And, of course, there was always a cubby for your shoes. 

You could also find couches, tables, and chairs to chill out on; it was quite a busy common area in the evenings! The sunlit adjacent kitchen had everything one might need to cook.

The Food Options.

Since Santiago Guesthouse was so well located, we never struggled to find a good-priced meal. Our favorite was a recommendation from Masa to try Hiroshima's typical dish: Okonomiyaki. We went into a local bar where they prepare the food before your eyes, and it was so delicious! If you're not feeling Okonomiyaki, Masa has a book filled with local suggestions.

Next time I'm in Hiroshima, I will most definitely be staying at Santiago Guesthouse. With quiet rooms and easy access around the city, it was just what I was looking for!

Interested in Santiago Guesthouse? Pin It Please!

**Special thanks to Santiago Guesthouse and Japan Experience for sponsoring our stay. As always, all opinions are my own.