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The Orizuru Tower overlooks the city of Hiroshima – but is it worth visiting? Check out our review and find out.
At just 13 storeys (50 metres high), the Orizuru Tower probably isn’t the tallest observation deck you might visit on your Japan trip, but it might be the most peaceful.
The Tower overlooks the city of Hiroshima on three sides, including a bird’s eye view into the scarred ruins of the Atomic Bomb Dome.
If you come up here at sunset, you have a view of the golden sun setting over the Hiroshima skyline and the mountains behind.
Rather than jostling by windows as in Tokyo Skytree, or selfies at Shibuya Sky, people here are sitting quietly on the sloping steps. Some, like me, have decided to take advantage of the Tower’s onsite cafe and are enjoying a beer, wine, or soft drink as the sun changes the sky around us.
The combination is the perfect place to sit and process the emotions that can come up when visiting Hiroshima.
The observation deck – known as Hiroshima Hills as it has a sloping appearance – was only opened in 2016, so it’s still a relatively new part of visiting Hiroshima – but with an entrance fee of 2200 yen for adults (children’s prices are below), it’s not the cheapest attraction in town, especially considering it’s relatively short stature – but I still enjoyed my visit here because it gave a new perspective on the city.
Much of a visit of Hiroshima focuses, rightly, around the events of August 6th 1945, and even though the Atomic Bomb Dome is front and centre of the view that the Orizuru Tower overlooks, seeing the rest of the city spreading out around you on all sides helps you remember that this is a town that has rebuilt, renewed and regrown, and that while intrinsically changed by the events of the date, it also has a modern side.
It’s a hopeful place to end your day, to reflect on what you’ve seen and transition from the Hiroshima of the past to the one that stands today.
The ‘ Hiroshima Hills’ observation deck is only one part of the tower, though – here’s what else you can see and do here.
Make Your Own Paper Crane
On the 12th Floor, one below the viewing area on the roof, you’ll find the tower’s origami crane-making experience.
The tower is actually named after these; Orizuru is the name of the folded paper cranes you’ll see all over Hiroshima. As we explained in our guide to the Atomic Bomb sights of Hiroshima, these delicate folded paper birds are a symbol of the peace movement in Hiroshima.
If you missed the story explaining why, there’s a belief in Japan that if you fold 1,000 origami cranes, your wish will be granted. Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who developed leukemia from exposure to radiation in the blast, made making the cranes her final task, with the wish that if she completed it, all nuclear weapons would be abolished.
Even though she reached her goal of making 1,000 cranes before she died, her wish hasn’t yet come true, but people all over Japan make cranes to add to her total – and this is offered as an experience at Orizuru.
It costs an extra 100 yen on top of your entrance fee to make a crane. Instructions are given on a screen if you aren’t already an origami master.
Once you’ve made your crane, you can add it to the Orizuru Wall. This glass-panelled area spans a 50-metre-high section at the front of the building. Cranes are dropped into this, and they will slowly fill it, climbing higher up the tower as time passes. It’s estimated that, when full, this will hold one million paper cranes.
One thing to watch for is that the crane experience stops before the tower closes – if, like me, you arrive at the Tower for sunset, you might find that the two clash slightly, so I didn’t get the chance to make my own crane. My advice would be to get here about an hour before sunset is due, make your crane first and then you can relax and enjoy the view afterwards.
There are also a couple of interactive exhibits in this area that children might like – you can access these even if you haven’t chosen to make a crane.
Other exhibitions, like old photographs of the city, also appear in this space. These are included in your entry fee.
Take Slide Cool-Cool Cool
If you’re travelling with children (or, a kidult!), not only is making the cranes a good experience to lighten the weight of the Hiroshima sights, but the Orizuru Tower also has a slide between the roof and the ground. The whole experience is around 70 metres, but you can get off at any floor on the way down.
The slide is open to children over six – but it’s asked that an adult accompany them. Helmets, knee and elbow pads are provided. Adults can also use it without a smaller chaperone!
The Spiral Slope and The Wall Art Project
If you’re not sliding down, you can walk down to the ground via a gentle slope that curves around the east side of the building. As you do, you’ll be rewarded by views over the city. I really don’t like heights, but this didn’t set me off at all. You don’t really feel as if you’re up high.
If you prefer not to look out at the city, you’ll find artworks on the other wall. These are based on the theme of hopes for the future—specifically, hopes for Hiroshima in 2045, 100 years after the bombing.
Nine artists from different generations (they range from 20-90 years old), each with a connection to Hiroshima, have created large murals that span the 450-metre walk from the roof to the ground.
See more about the artists and what each mural represents in this guide to the artworks.
Our Overview
Pros
- Unique perspective of the Atomic Bomb Dome and city
- Peaceful atmosphere, perfect for reflection
- All-day access with single ticket
- Family-friendly activities (origami, slide, interactive exhibits)
- Convenient location near major attractions
- On-site café with sunset views
Cons
- Relatively expensive at 2,200 yen for adults
- Not the tallest observation deck in Japan
- Weather-dependent (rooftop may close in bad weather)
- Some activities (like crane-making) end before closing time
- Mesh screening may affect photos
So, if that’s helped you decide whether to visit, here’s what you need to know before you arrive.
How Long Do You Need to Spend Here?
If you only want to see the view from the top, you probably only need half an hour here. If you also want to make a crane, add another 30 minutes. If you’re going to enjoy the sunset, grab a drink or snack, view the artworks, make a crane, play with the interactive artworks, ride the slide – basically, enjoy everything the tower has to offer. Allow at least 80 minutes, longer if you want to linger over your drink.
When is the Tower Open
The observation deck of the Orizuku Tower is open from 10 am to 6 pm every day of the week. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing. The associated cafe can have longer opening hours in Summer when they turn the roof into a bar and dining area.
One thing to note is that the rooftop level doesn’t have windows; instead, the view is covered by a fine mesh. This means it’s quite open to the elements up here, so they may close the area in strong winds or rain. Please keep this in mind when planning your visit.
The Tower is closed December 31st. The Rooftop can also be hired out for private events, so double-check the website before making plans to visit to make sure you won’t arrive to find it’s invite-only.
Orizuru Tower Pricing in 2025
If you’re wondering how much it will cost for the family here are the details as of July 2025.
Adult tickets are 2,200 yen. Children aged 12 to 17 cost 1,400 yen, 6- to 11-year-olds cost 900 yen, and children aged 4 to 5 cost 600 yen. Younger children are free. Add 100 yen if you want to make a crane.
You don’t need to book in advance, but if you want to, you can buy tickets via Klook here.
If you want to go to the cafe, drinks are an additional cost. I paid 770 yen for a glass of wine. You can also buy soft drinks – some pretty mocktails are available for 750 yen. Or try snacks like popcorn or ice cream.
One nice touch is that your entry fee grants you access for the whole day, so you might want to arrive in the morning to enjoy the view and make your crane – and then return again for sunset to relax and reflect on your day.
Save Money with Klook & Japlanease
If you plan on buying tickets or tours from Klook for when you’re in Japan, you could save up to 10 per cent by using the code JAPLANEASEKLOOK at the checkout. Click here to see what’s on offer.
T&Cs apply. Some items, including Tokyo Disney and USJ tickets, are not available for discounts.
What’s The Best Time to Visit Orizuru Tower?
The view will be good at any time of day, but I really liked visiting at sunset. Remember to come at least an hour earlier if you want to make your crane.
Strangely, unlike some towers in Tokyo where you have to book sunset tickets the minute they go on sale, sunset in the Orizuru Tower is a relatively quiet time. Google data suggests that the tower is usually busiest between noon and 4pm – so, come before then, or after to experience it with the fewest people.
Can You See the Atomic Bomb Dome from Orizuru Tower?
Yes, the tower offers a direct bird’s-eye view of the Atomic Bomb Dome from its observation deck. It’s not an angle you’ll see easily and gives a different perspective on the damage caused.
Is It Accessible?
Generally, yes. There is a lift that takes you up to the roof from the ground floor, and as you can see below, the viewing area around the edge is a flat path. This is accessible by a ramp on either side.
However, one thing I noticed looking back at my photos was that they had blocked the route on one side with a panel that cut across this flat area – I’m not sure if this is weather-related or if it was there because the rooftop was nearing closing time, as I haven’t seen it in every photo.
If this is in place, you would have to double back to complete the entire route.
The ‘Hiroshima Hills’ features steps leading up to it from the main entrance and steps that double as seating areas all around. Some areas of it are sloped; you can walk up this, but it is pretty steep. I’m unsure of the rules regarding wheelchair access to this part of the rooftop, and there’s no information on their website to clarify.
You’ll also find wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. Wheelchairs are also available for rental, although the number is limited.
How to Get to the Orizuru Tower?
Trams are the easiest transport in Hiroshima (our guide to using the trams is here), and, the closest tram stop is the Atomic Bomb Dome. The tower is located about a one-minute walk away.
If you’re walking from the Peace Museum or the Peace Park, head toward the Atomic Bomb Dome. The Tower is located at the corner where the main road to the north meets the smaller road that runs along the east side of the park.
If you are coming back from Miyajima and want to end your day with a sunset view here, the Tower is a short walk from the Aqua-net Ferry dock at the Peace Park.
Related Read: Which ferry is best to visit Miyajima
As I said, it’s not the cheapest view in Japan, but I did enjoy being able to sit somewhere quiet and watch the sun set over everything I’d seen that day. Tomorrow it would rise again – just like Hiroshima.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve traveled to Japan eight times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 25 towns and cities. My last visit was November 2024 so, everything here is pretty up to date.
