The basic Hiragana alphabet has 46 characters. This includes the 5 vowels, a 'N' characters and 8 lines of characters. I've included a tiny pronunciation guide at the end of each Hiragana in order to help you pronunciate it. E.g. The あ(A) character is pronounced like the A in 'Antenna'
The Vowels
A = あ This looks like an antenna on top of a roof. So this is A for Antenna.
I = い This looks like the 'ii' in Hawaii. This is i for Hawaii.
U = う this one possibly needs a picture to explain. This looks like an old woman, bending over. A twig falls on her back and she says 'Ooph'. This is U for 'ooph'
E = え this character looks like a h with a extra dot. This is E for an extra dot.
O = お (this one needs a picture too) Imagine this is a golf course. The top bit of the character is the flag and the bottom half is the course. The golf ball is on on the green. This is O for on the green. 
The 'K' line
Ka = か this looks like a car driving off a cliff. This is Ka for car.
Ki = き this looks like a key. This is Ki for key.
Ku = く This looks like the beak of a cuckoo bird. This is Ku for cuckoo bird.
Ke = け This looks like a keg of beer. This is Ke for keg.
Ko = こ This looks like a coin. This is Ko for coin.
The 'S' line
Sa = さ this character looks like a Samurai's sword! This is Sa for Samurai's sword.
Shi = し This looks like a girl's hair. This is Shi for 'She has lovely hair'
Su = す This is a little seed in the ground. It will grow soon. This is Su for soon.
Se = せ This is a couple watching the sunset. This is Se for sunset.
So = そ This looks like a stitch you'd sew with a sewing machine. This is So for sew.
The 'T' line
Ta = た the first half of this looks like a 't'. If you add a line to the second half of it, you get an 'a' this is Ta for 'ta'
Chi = ち This looks like like a cheese ball on a stick. This is Chi for 'cheese ball'
Tsu = つ this looks like a man's very big nose. When he sneezes, he goes tsu. This is Tsu for 'tsu'
*Alternatively, you could also remember つ as a harbour wave. It would then be Tsu for tsunami.*
Te = て this is a broken tennis racket. This is Te for tennis racquet.
To = と The curved bit is your toe. Ouch, you've a thorn in your toe! This is To for toe.
The 'N' line
Na = な this is your Nan kneeling down to pray at a cross. This is Na for Nan.
Ni = に This looks like your knee. This is Ni for knee.
Nu = ぬ This is two chopsticks stuck into a bowl of noodles. This is Nu for noodles.
Ne = ね this is a weird basketball net. You're never going to get the ball in. This is Ne for never.
No = の this looks like a fancy n. It's not that difficult. This is No for not.
That's the first set of Hiragana for today. Please leave comments if you need more help with remembering them or if you come up with better ways. Most of these came from my Japanese teacher and her flash cards.
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