Hiroshima Living Guide: Best Cities & Popular Tourist Spots

Hiroshima is located in the Chugoku region in Honshu, and its capital is Hiroshima. It borders four prefectures, Tottori, Okayama, Yamaguchi and Shimane, and faces the Seto Inland Sea to the south. It is a relatively warm and pleasant region. The industry in Hiroshima is flourishing, and it is also known for oysters and black sea bream in the fishing business, as well as lemons in the agriculture sector.

Blessed with rich nature and boasting various historic and scenic sites, as well as delicious cuisine, the prefecture is a popular tourist destination and an attractive place to relocate to. Be sure to check this guide to learn about Hiroshima including some of the best cities to live in and popular tourist spots.

We also have articles covering expat communities, international schools, and English-speaking hospitals in Hiroshima.

Why People Love Hiroshima

Beautiful Nature and Tourist Spots

Hiroshima Prefecture is a destination rich in sites to see, having breathtakingly beautiful nature and historical spots. Furthermore, it has 2 World Heritage Sites: Itsukushima Shrine and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

Delicious Food

Hiroshima boasts the largest production of oyster in the country. Furthermore, it has thriving agriculture being Japan's largest producer of lemons, navel oranges, and more. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is the soul food of the prefecture, and it is home to the highest number of okonomiyaki restaurants per 100,000 people in Japan.

Watching Sports

Hiroshima is a great place for sports enthusiasts. It boasts the highest attendance rate for sports events in Japan.

Best Cities to Live in Hiroshima

Here are some of the best cities to live in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Hiroshima - The Largest City of Chugoku and Shikoku Regions

Hiroshima is the prefectural capital and the largest city not only in Hiroshima Prefecture, but in the whole Chugoku and Shikoku regions. Having 6 rivers flowing through the city, Hiroshima is also called the "City of Water". Known for devastation caused by atomic bombing during the World War 2 in 1945, nowadays it is a vibrant city boasting various industries. Hiroshima offers a great balance of an environment with rich nature and urban convenience. Hiroshima, which also has the “Okonomimura” with its 23 shops, is an attractive destination for foodies who would like to savor Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.

Key attractions: Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle, Okonomimura

Fukuyama - The City of Roses

Fukuyama is the second most populated city in Hiroshima Prefecture. It is also a city of million roses. It all started in the 1950s with residents planting one thousand roses after around 80 percent of the city was destroyed in the World War 2. Nowadays, the city boasts around one million roses and hosts a rose festival. The city offers various places to explore including the beautiful Fukuyama Castle and Tomonoura, which is a port town full of historical charm. Furthermore, Fukuyama boasts Japan's largest production of kuwai plant.

Key attractions: Fukuyama Castle Museum, Tomonoura, Rose Park

Hatsukaichi - Home to the Famous Miyajima Island

Bordering the prefectural capital Hiroshima, Hatsukaichi has 5 different areas including the famous Miyajima Island, which is home to Itsukushima Shrine that looks as if floating on the sea. With its tourist spots and nature, as well as convenient living environment, it can be considered a good choice as a relocation or travel destination.

Key attractions: Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima Public Aquarium

Fuchu - Home to Mazda Headquarters and Factory

Surrounded by the prefectural capital, Fuchu is a livable town with a convenient transportation access as well as a good balance of urbanization and nature. The city is known for having headquarters and factory of the famous automobile company "Mazda".

Key attractions: Mazda Museum, Take Shrine

Onomichi - A City with a Beautiful Scenery

With Seta Inland Sea in the south and mountainous area in the north, Onomichi boasts numerous attractions, including beautiful scenery, historic streetscape, and more. This picturesque city has served as a filming location for various movies, including Yasujiro Ozu's famous “Tokyo Story.”

Key attractions: Senkoji Temple, Shimanami Kaido

Access to Other Areas in Japan

Trains

There are 5 Shinkansen Stations in Hiroshima Prefecture: Hiroshima, Higashi-Hiroshima, Mihara, Shin-Onomichi, and Fukuyama Stations. By taking Shinkansen train from Hiroshima Station, you can reach Hakata Station in Fukuoka in about an hour and Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka in under an hour and a half.

Airport

There is Hiroshima Airport proving access to domestic and overseas destinations.

Highway Buses

There are various high way busses connecting Hiroshima with many other destinations in Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, and more.

Popular Tourist Spots in Hiroshima

Peace Memorial Park

Peace Memorial Park is home to the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and more. The Atomic Bomb Dome is a structure that miraculously survived the devastating atomic explosion at the end of Word War 2 in 1945. Registered as a Word Heritage site, it is the only building in the world that has been preserved in its original state after the atomic bombing. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum displays photographs, belongings of the victims, etc., proving a valuable opportunity to learn about this horrific tragedy.
>> Peace Memorial Park

Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine is located on the Miyajima (Itsukushima) Island in Hatsukaichi, which is considered as one of the three most scenic views of Japan. The shrine has a long history dating back to the year 593. In 1996, it was registered as World Heritage Site. During the high tide, it appears to float on the sea, creating a spectacular view.
>> Itsukushima Shrine

Shukkeien Garden

Shukkeien Garden is a perfect place to enjoy beautiful nature in the central area of Hiroshima City. With various seasonal plants, it's a garden you can enjoy visiting during any season.
>> Shukkeien Garden

Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Castle has a long history dating back to 1589. It was destroyed during the atomic bombing in 1945. Its main tower was rebuilt in 1958, with more reconstructins being completed in 1994.
>> Hiroshima Castle

Tomonoura

Tomonoura is a charming port town in Fukuyama retaining a nostalgic atmosphere of the past. Tomonoura served as a location for various movies including "Wolverine" starring Hugh Jackman and is also thought to have been featured in the animated movie "Ponyo" by the famous director Hayao Miyazaki.
>> Tomonoura

Conclusion

With its delicious food, historical sites, beautiful nature, and livable cities, Hiroshima is a fantastic option to consider for travel and relocation. Whether you are a digital nomad who would like to live in a prefectural capital or a picturesque port town that has been featured in movies, or a seasoned traveler eager to see the World Heritage Sites, Hiroshima has something to offer for everyone.