Hiroshima (広島市) Travel Guide & City Profile

Last reviewed: October 23, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Hiroshima (広島市, Hiroshima-shi; English: , also UK: , US: , Japanese: [çì.ɾó̞.ɕí.mä́(.ɕì)] ) is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. As of August 1, 2026, the city had an estimated population of 1,170,194. The gross domestic product (GDP) in Greater Hiroshima, Hiroshima Urban Employment Area, was US$61.3 billion as of 2010. Kazumi Matsui has been the city's mayor since April 2011.

Within Hiroshima Prefecture (Chugoku region), Hiroshima (広島市) serves as a prefectural capital of hiroshima prefecture. Travelers exploring Hiroshima often combine a stop in Hiroshima with regional highlights such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Miyajima's floating Itsukushima Shrine (Hatsukaichi), hillside port town of Onomichi, the 70 km Shimanami Kaido island cycling route, and Tomonoura harbor (Fukuyama).

Getting to Hiroshima & Getting Around

Via the regional hub (Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen)): 1h 25m from Shin-Osaka, 1h 38m from Kyoto, or 3h 55m from Tokyo on the Sanyo Shinkansen.

• Local rail & IC cards: Once in Hiroshima Prefecture, JR regional lines and local private railways connect Hiroshima with Hiroshima. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca) work on major urban and JR commuter gates; for rural branch lines or local buses, keep ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins handy for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station lockers: Main stations in Hiroshima have coin lockers for day-trippers. If you are stopping in Hiroshima en route between larger bases, check your suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker or forward big bags ahead with Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental: While city centers around Hiroshima are accessible by train and taxi, renting a car from a major Shinkansen station or airport in Hiroshima can be rewarding for reaching mountain gorges, coastal viewpoints, and countryside onsen. Read our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Hiroshima & Hiroshima

Hiroshima shares the culinary traditions of Hiroshima Prefecture and the wider Chugoku region. Don't miss these local specialties during your visit:

• Hiroshima-style layered okonomiyaki with yakisoba noodles — a signature specialty across Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Miyajima grilled & fried oysters (kaki) — a signature specialty across Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Momiji manju (maple-leaf cakes) — a signature specialty across Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Onomichi soy-backfat ramen — a signature specialty across Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Anago-meshi (conger eel over rice) — a signature specialty across Hiroshima Prefecture.

For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our Japanese Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards to display clear Japanese dietary explanations at restaurants in Hiroshima.

Best Time to Visit & Seasonal Highlights

Late March–April for cherry blossoms at Peace Park, Miyajima & Senko-ji (Onomichi); November for Momijidani Park autumn maples on Miyajima; spring/autumn for cycling the Shimanami Kaido.

Regional highlights across Hiroshima Prefecture that pair well with a visit to Hiroshima include: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, Miyajima's floating Itsukushima Shrine (Hatsukaichi), hillside port town of Onomichi, the 70 km Shimanami Kaido island cycling route, and Tomonoura harbor (Fukuyama).

Practical Travel Tips for Hiroshima

• Tourist information center (観光案内所): Look for the Kankō Annaijo counter inside or right outside the main train station in Hiroshima (or at Hiroshima Station, Fukuyama & Shin-Onomichi (Sanyo Shinkansen)) for free walking maps, bus timetables, and festival calendars.
• Cash & ATMs: While hotels, chain stores, and convenience stores in Hiroshima accept international cards and IC payment, smaller family-run restaurants, shrines, and rural buses often prefer cash. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign debit cards reliably.
• Dining hours: Outside major metropolitan hubs, lunch typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM, with earlier last orders (around 8:00–9:00 PM) in smaller cities.