Hiroshima Prefecture (広島県) is one of the prefectures in the Chugoku Region facing the Seto Inland Sea. Hiroshima City, the prefectural capital, has a population of about 1.2 million and is the largest city in the Chugoku Region. Hiroshima Prefecture has two World Heritage Sites, Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社) and the Atomic Bomb Dome (原爆ドーム).
Hiroshima prefecture is divided into the following 6 areas.
- Hiroshima (広島) Area
- Miyajima (宮島), Hatsukaichi (廿日市) Area
- Kure (呉) Area
- Saijo (西条), Mihara (三原), Takehara (竹原) Area
- Onomichi (尾道), Fukuyama (福山) Area
- Kenhoku (県北) Area
Hiroshima Area
Hiroshima City is the largest city in Chugoku region. Highly known as the first city in the history of the world to be bombed by an atomic bomb. There are many tourist spots such as the Atomic Bomb Dome, Shukkeien, and Hiroshima Castle.
Miyajima, Hatsukaichi Area
Miyajima is a small island in Hiroshima Bay, and it is said that the island itself was the object of nature worship. Itsukushima Shrine, known for its vermilion-painted torii gate and its shrine floating on the sea, is known as a popular tourist destination.
Kure Area
Kure is developing as a seaside industrial city centered on shipbuilding and steel. There are museums related to the Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, such as the Yamato Museum and the Tetsukujirakan.
Saijo, Mihara, Takehara Area
This area is located in the east of Hiroshima City. Mihara has Hiroshima Airport, the entrance to Hiroshima. It is famous for tourist spots such as Saijo, a Japanese Sake town, and Okunoshima, an island where many rabbits live.
Onomichi, Fukuyama Area
Onomichi and Fukuyama are located in the western part of Hiroshima prefecture. Facing the Seto Inland Sea, they are developing as a port town. Onomichi is connected to Shikoku Island through the Shimanami Kaido.
Kenhoku Area
Kenhoku area is located in the northern part of Hiroshima prefecture. Rich nature is attractive, such as canyons such as Sandan Gorge and Taishaku Gorge, and maples that are colored in autumn. Snow piles up in winter and is crowded with skiers.