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Hiroshima

A region defined by resilience — from feudal castle towns and island shrines to rugged mountain gorges and one of Japan's most moving cities

Overview of Hiroshima

Hiroshima Prefecture is the largest prefecture in the Chugoku region and one of only three prefectures in Japan to hold more than one UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Atomic Bomb Dome) in Hiroshima city, and Itsukushima Shrine on the island of Miyajima.

Hiroshima city was founded in 1589 as a castle town on the delta of the Ota River by the feudal lord Mori Terumoto, and grew steadily into the region’s dominant urban center. On August 6, 1945, it became the first city in history to be struck by an atomic bomb, an event that shaped not only the city’s postwar identity but its enduring role as a global symbol of peace and disarmament.

Today Hiroshima city — the prefectural capital — is a modern, walkable metropolis of roughly 1.2 million people, served by Japan’s largest tram network and known for its distinctive okonomiyaki, fresh oysters and sake. Beyond the city, Miyajima’s floating torii gate and mountain temples, the port town of Onomichi with its hillside temple walk and the remote gorge landscapes of Sandankyo and Taishakukyo all offer very different but equally compelling reasons to venture further afield.

Getting to Hiroshima

The Sanyo Shinkansen connects Hiroshima Station to major cities along Japan’s western corridor. From Tokyo, the Nozomi takes approximately 4 hours; from Shin-Osaka, the Nozomi or Mizuho takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. JR Pass holders should use Hikari or Sakura services, which add 30–60 minutes but are fully covered. Hiroshima Airport, located approximately 50 minutes by limousine bus from Hiroshima Station, offers domestic connections including multiple daily flights from Tokyo Haneda.

Within Hiroshima city, the Hiroden tram network covers most major attractions with a flat fare of ¥240. The JR-operated Meipuru-pu sightseeing loop bus and the JR Sanyo Main Line provide access to destinations across the wider prefecture, including Onomichi and Miyajima.

Things to do in Hiroshima

Where To Eat in Hiroshima