Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Hiroshima Prefecture (広島県)
Hiroshima Prefecture (広島県) is located in the Chugoku region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Hiroshima. Key sights and travel highlights across the prefecture 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).
How to get to Hiroshima Prefecture
1h 25m from Shin-Osaka, 1h 38m from Kyoto, or 3h 55m from Tokyo on the Sanyo Shinkansen. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Hiroshima
When visiting cities across Hiroshima, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Hiroshima-style layered okonomiyaki with yakisoba noodles
- Miyajima grilled & fried oysters (kaki)
- Momiji manju (maple-leaf cakes)
- Onomichi soy-backfat ramen
- Anago-meshi (conger eel over rice)
Best time to visit Hiroshima
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.
All 15 cities & municipalities in Hiroshima Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, demographics, rail access, food specialties, and nearby stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima 広島市 | Designated major city | 1,199,391 | 905.13 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Onomichi 尾道市 | City | 148,085 | 284.85 km² | City guide → |
| Kure 呉市 | Core city | 246,118 | 353.74 km² | City guide → |
| Fukuyama 福山市 | Core city | 461,368 | 518.07 km² | City guide → |
| Mihara 三原市 | City | 103,209 | 471.03 km² | City guide → |
| Fuchū 府中市 | City | 44,212 | 195.71 km² | City guide → |
| Miyoshi 三次市 | City | 58,264 | 778.19 km² | City guide → |
| Shōbara 庄原市 | City | 41,747 | 1,246.60 km² | City guide → |
| Ōtake 大竹市 | City | 29,665 | 78.55 km² | City guide → |
| Takehara 竹原市 | City | 29,803 | 118.30 km² | City guide → |
| Higashihiroshima 東広島市 | City | 187,711 | 635.32 km² | City guide → |
| Hatsukaichi 廿日市市 | City | 115,184 | 489.36 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Akitakata 安芸高田市 | City | 32,323 | 537.79 km² | City guide → |
| Etajima 江田島市 | City | 28,601 | 100.97 km² | City guide → |
| Miyajima 宮島（厳島） | Sacred shrine island (Hatsukaichi) | 1,400 | 30.39 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |