Hiroshima

Hiroshima(広島市,Hiroshima-shi,/ˌhɪroʊˈʃiːmə/,alsoUK:/hɪˈrɒʃɪmə/,US:/hɪˈroʊʃɪmə/,[çiɾoɕima])is the capital ofHiroshima PrefectureinJapan. As of June 1, 2019, the city had an estimated population of 1,199,391. Thegross domestic product(GDP) in Greater Hiroshima, HiroshimaUrban Employment Area, was US$61.3 billion as of 2010.Kazumi Matsuihas been the city's mayor since April 2011. The Hiroshima metropolitan area is the second largest urban area in theChugoku Regionof Japan, following theOkayamametropolitan area.
Hiroshima was founded in 1589 as acastle townon theŌta Riverdelta. Following theMeiji Restorationin 1868, Hiroshima rapidly transformed into a major urban center and industrial hub. In 1889, Hiroshima officially gained city status. The city was a center of military activities during theimperial era, playing significant roles such as in theFirst Sino-Japanese War, theRusso-Japanese War, and the two world wars.
Hiroshima was the first military target of a nuclear weapon in history. This occurred on August 6, 1945, in thePacific theatreofWorld War II, at 8:15 a.m., when theUnited States Army Air Forces(USAAF)dropped the atomic bomb"Little Boy" on the city.Most of Hiroshima was destroyed, and by the end of the year between 90,000 and 166,000 had died as a result of the blast and its effects. TheHiroshima Peace Memorial(aUNESCO World Heritage Site) serves as a memorial of the bombing.
Since being rebuilt after the war, Hiroshima has become the largestcityin theChūgoku regionof westernHonshu.
Hiroshima has ahumid subtropical climatecharacterized by cool to mild winters and hot, humid summers. Like much of Japan, Hiroshima experiences a seasonal temperature lag in summer, with August rather than July being the warmest month of the year. Precipitation occurs year-round, although winter is the driest season. Rainfall peaks in June and July, with August experiencing sunnier and drier conditions.
Hiroshima has eightwards(ku):
In 2017, the city had an estimatedpopulationof 1,195,327. The total area of the city is 905.08 square kilometres (349.45 sq mi), with apopulation densityof 1321 persons per km.As of 2023, the city has a population of 1,183,696.
The population around 1910 was 143,000.BeforeWorld War II, Hiroshima's population had grown to 360,000, and peaked at 419,182 in 1942.Following the atomic bombing in 1945, the population dropped to 137,197.By 1955, the city's population had returned to pre-war levels.
The region where Hiroshima stands today was originally a small fishing village along the shores of Hiroshima Bay. From the 12th century, the village was rather prosperous and was economically attached to aZen Buddhisttemple calledMitaki-Ji. This new prosperity was partly caused by the increase of trade with the rest of Japan under the auspices of theTaira clan.
Hiroshima was established on the delta coastline of theSeto Inland Seain 1589 by powerful warlordMōri Terumoto.Hiroshima Castlewas quickly built, and in 1593 Mōri moved in. The name Hiroshima means wide island in Japanese. Terumoto was on the losing side at theBattle of Sekigahara. The winner of the battle,Tokugawa Ieyasu, deprived Mōri Terumoto of most of his fiefs, including Hiroshima and gaveAki ProvincetoMasanori Fukushima, adaimyō(Feudal Lord) who had supported Tokugawa.From 1619 until 1871, Hiroshima was ruled by theAsano clan.
After theHanwas abolished in 1871, the city became the capital ofHiroshima Prefecture. Hiroshima became a major urban center during theimperial period, as the Japanese economy shifted from primarily rural to urban industries. During the 1870s, one of the seven government-sponsored English language schools was established in Hiroshima.Ujina Harbor was constructed through the efforts of Hiroshima GovernorSadaaki Sendain the 1880s, allowing Hiroshima to become an important port city.
TheSan'yō Railwaywas extended to Hiroshima in 1894, and a rail line from the main station to the harbor was constructed for military transportation during theFirst Sino-Japanese War.During that war, theJapanese governmentmoved temporarily to Hiroshima, andEmperor Meijimaintained his headquarters atHiroshima Castlefrom September 15, 1894, to April 27, 1895.The significance of Hiroshima for the Japanese government can be discerned from the fact that the first round of talks between Chinese and Japanese representatives to end the Sino-Japanese War was held in Hiroshima, from February 1 to 4, 1895.New industrial plants, includingcotton mills, were established in Hiroshima in the late 19th century.Further industrialization in Hiroshima was stimulated during theRusso-Japanese Warin 1904, which required development and production of military supplies. The Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition Hall was constructed in 1915 as a center for trade and the exhibition of new products. Later, its name was changed to Hiroshima Prefectural Product Exhibition Hall, and again to Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall.The building, now known as the A-Bomb Dome, part of theHiroshima Peace Memorial, aWorld Heritage Sitesince 1996, permanently remains the only structure still standing and is a state of preserved ruin.
DuringWorld War I, Hiroshima became a focal point of military activity, as the Japanese government joined the Allied at war. About 500 German POWs were held in Ninoshima Island in Hiroshima Bay.The growth of Hiroshima as a city continued after the First World War, as the city now attracted the attention of the Catholic Church, and on May 4, 1923, anApostolic Vicarwas appointed for that city.
DuringWorld War II, theSecond General Armyand Chūgoku Regional Army was headquartered in Hiroshima, and the Army Marine Headquarters was located at Ujina port. The city also had large depots of military supplies, and was a key center for shipping.
Thebombing of Tokyoandother cities in Japanduring World War II caused widespread destruction and hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths.There were no such air raids on Hiroshima. However, a real threat existed and was recognized. To protect against potentialfirebombingsin Hiroshima, school children aged 11–14 years were mobilized to demolish houses and createfirebreaks.
On Monday, August 6, 1945, at 8:15 a.m. (Hiroshima time), the AmericanBoeing B-29 Superfortress, theEnola Gay, flown byPaul Tibbets(23 February 1915 – 1 November 2007), dropped thenuclear weapon"Little Boy" on Hiroshima,directly killing at least 70,000 people, including thousands ofKorean slave laborers. Fewer than 10% of the casualties were military.By the end of the year, injury and radiation brought the total number of deaths to 90,000–140,000.The population before the bombing was around 345,000. About 70% of the city's buildings were destroyed, and another 7% severely damaged.
The public release of film footage of the city following the attack, and some of theAtomic Bomb Casualty Commissionresearch on the human effects of the attack, were restricted during theoccupation of Japan, and much of this information was censored until the signing of theTreaty of San Franciscoin 1951, restoring control to the Japanese.
AsIan Burumaobserved:
The bookHiroshimabyJohn Herseywas originally published in article form in the magazineThe New Yorker,on August 31, 1946. It is reported to have reached Tokyo, in English, at least by January 1947 and the translated version was released in Japan in 1949.Although the article was planned to be published over four issues, "Hiroshima" made up the entire contents of one issue of the magazine.Hiroshimanarrates the stories ofsix bomb survivorsimmediately before and four months after the dropping of theLittle Boybomb.
Oleander (Nerium) is the official flower of the city of Hiroshima because it was the first to bloom again after the explosion of the atomic bomb in 1945.
On September 17, 1945, Hiroshima was struck by the Makurazaki Typhoon (Typhoon Ida).Hiroshima Prefecturesuffered more than 3,000 deaths and injuries, about half the national total.More than half the bridges in the city were destroyed, along with heavy damage to roads and railroads, further devastating the city.
From 1945 to 1952, Hiroshima came underoccupation from the British Empire.
Hiroshima was rebuilt after the war, with help from the national government through the Hiroshima Peace Memorial City Construction Law passed in 1949. It provided financial assistance for reconstruction, along with land donated that was previously owned by the national government and used by the Imperial military.
In 1949, a design was selected for theHiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, the closest surviving building to the location of the bomb's detonation, was designated theGenbaku Dome (原爆ドーム) or "Atomic Dome", a part of theHiroshima Peace Memorial Park. TheHiroshima Peace Memorial Museumwas opened in 1955 in the Peace Park.The historic castle of Hiroshima was rebuilt in 1958.
Hiroshima also contains aPeace Pagoda, built in 1966 byNipponzan-Myōhōji. Uniquely, the pagoda is made ofsteel, rather than the usual stone.
Hiroshima was proclaimed a City of Peace by the Japanese parliament in 1949, at the initiative of its mayor,Shinzo Hamai(1905–1968).As a result, the city of Hiroshima received more international attention as a desirable location for holding international conferences on peace as well as social issues.As part of that effort, the Hiroshima Interpreters' and Guide's Association (HIGA) was established in 1992 to facilitate interpretation for conferences, and the Hiroshima Peace Institute was established in 1998 within theHiroshima University. The city government continues to advocate the abolition of allnuclear weaponsand the Mayor of Hiroshima is the president ofMayors for Peace, an international Mayoral organization mobilizing cities and citizens worldwide to abolish and eliminate nuclear weaponsby 2020.
On May 27, 2016,Barack Obamabecame the first sitting United States president to visit Hiroshima since the atomic bombing.The 49th annualG7summit was held in Hiroshima in May 2023.
Hiroshima is situated on theŌta Riverdelta, onHiroshima Bay, facing theSeto Inland Seaon its south side. The river's six channels divide Hiroshima into several islets.
Hiroshima has sixsister cities:
Within Japan, Hiroshima has a similar relationship withNagasaki.
TheChūgoku Shimbunis the local newspaper serving Hiroshima. It publishes both morning and evening editions. Television stations includeHiroshima Home Television,Hiroshima Telecasting,Shinhiroshima Telecasting, and theRCC Broadcasting. Radio stations includeHiroshima FM,Chugoku Communication Network,FM Fukuyama,FM Nanami, andOnomichi FM. Hiroshima is also served byNHK, Japan's public broadcaster, with television and radio broadcasting.
Hiroshima Universitywas established in 1949, as part of a national restructuring of the education system. One national university was set up in eachprefecture, including Hiroshima University, which combined eight existing institutions (Hiroshima University of Literature and Science, Hiroshima School of Secondary Education, Hiroshima School of Education, Hiroshima Women's School of Secondary Education, Hiroshima School of Education for Youth, Hiroshima Higher School, Hiroshima Higher Technical School, and Hiroshima Municipal Higher Technical School), with the Hiroshima Prefectural Medical College added in 1953. In 1972, Hiroshima University moved from Hiroshima City to a larger campus inHigashihiroshimaCity. By 1995, almost all campuses were relocated toHigashihiroshima. The schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences, and the graduate schools in these fields on the Kasumi Campus and the law school and Center for Research on Regional Economic System on the Higashi-Senda Campus are still in Hiroshima City.
Notable art institutions include theElisabeth University of MusicandActor's School Hiroshima.
Hiroshima is served byHiroshima Airport(IATA:HIJ,ICAO:RJOA), located 50 kilometres (31 mi) east of the city, with regular flights toTokyo,Sapporo,Sendai,Okinawa, and also toChina,TaiwanandSouth Korea.
Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, 43 kilometres (27 mi) south-west of Hiroshima, re-instated commercial flights on December 13, 2012.
Hiroshima Rapid Transit
Skyrail Service
Hiroshima is notable, in Japan, for itslight railsystem, nicknamedHiroden, and the "Moving Streetcar Museum". Streetcar service started in 1912,was interrupted by the atomic bomb, and was restored as soon as was practical. (Service between Koi/Nishi Hiroshima and Tenma-cho was started up three days after the bombing.)
Streetcars and light rail vehicles are still rolling down Hiroshima's streets, including streetcars 651 and 652, which survived the atomic blast and are among the older streetcars in the system. When Kyoto and Fukuoka discontinued their trolley systems, Hiroshima bought them up at discounted prices, and, by 2011, the city had 298 streetcars, more than any other city in Japan.
Hiroshima is served byJapan National Route 2,Japan National Route 54,Japan National Route 183,Japan National Route 261,Japan National Route 433,Japan National Route 487,Japan National Route 488.
Hiroshima Prefectural Route 37 (Hiroshima-Miyoshi Route), Hiroshima Prefectural Route 70 (Hiroshima-Nakashima Route), Hiroshima Prefectural Route 84 (Higashi Kaita Hiroshima Route), Hiroshima Prefectural Route 164 (Hiroshima-Kaita Route), and Hiroshima Prefectural Route 264 (Nakayama-Onaga Route).
Hiroshima has a professionalsymphony orchestra, which has performed at Wel City Hiroshima since 1963.There are also many museums in Hiroshima, including theHiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, along with several art museums. TheHiroshima Museum of Art, which has a large collection of Frenchrenaissanceart, opened in 1978. TheHiroshima Prefectural Art Museumopened in 1968 and is located nearShukkei-engardens. TheHiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art, which opened in 1989, is located near Hijiyama Park.
Festivals includeHiroshima Flower FestivalandHiroshima International Film Festival. TheHiroshima International Animation Festivalwas held biennially from 1985 until 2020.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which includes theHiroshima Peace Memorial, draws many visitors from around the world, especially for theHiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, an annual commemoration held on the date of the atomic bombing. The park also contains a large collection of monuments, including theChildren's Peace Monument, theHiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victimsand many others.
Hiroshima's rebuilt castle(nicknamedRijō, meaningKoiCastle) houses amuseumof life in theEdo period.Hiroshima Gokoku Shrineis within the walls of the castle. Other attractions in Hiroshima includeShukkei-en, Fudōin,Mitaki-dera,Hiroshima Tōshō-gū, and Hijiyama Park.
Hiroshima is known forokonomiyaki, a savory (umami) pancake cooked on an iron plate, usually in front of the customer. It is cooked with various ingredients, which are layered rather than mixed as done with theOsakaversion of okonomiyaki. The layers are typicallyegg,cabbage,bean sprouts(moyashi), sliced pork/bacon with optional items (mayonnaise, friedsquid,octopus,cheese,mochi,kimchi, etc.), and noodles (soba,udon) topped with another layer of egg and a generous dollop of okonomiyaki sauce (Carp and Otafuku are two popular brands). The amount of cabbage used is usually 3 to 4 times the amount used in the Osaka style. It starts piled very high and is generally pushed down as the cabbage cooks. The order of the layers may vary slightly depending on the chef's style and preference, and ingredients will vary depending on the preference of the customer.
Hiroshima has several professional sports clubs.
The city's mainassociation footballclub isSanfrecce Hiroshima, who play at theEdion Peace Wing Hiroshima. As Toyo Kogyo Soccer Club, they won theJapan Soccer Leaguefive times between 1965 and 1970 and theEmperor's Cupin1965,1967and1969. After adopting their current name in 1992, the club won theJ.Leaguein2012,2013and2015.
The city's main women's football club isAngeviolet Hiroshima. Defunct clubs includeRijo Shukyu FC, who won the Emperor's Cup in 1924 and 1925, andẼfini Hiroshima SC.
Hiroshima Toyo Carpare the city's majorbaseballclub, and play at theMazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima. Members of theCentral League, the club won theCentral Leaguein 1975, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1991, 2016, 2017 and 2018, the club won theJapan Seriesin 1979, 1980 and 1984.
Hiroshima Dragonflies(basketball).
Hiroshima Maple Reds(handball).
JT Thunders(volleyball).
TheWoodone Open Hiroshimawas part of theJapan Golf Tourbetween 1973 and 2007. The city also hosted the1994 Asian Games, using the Big Arch stadium, which is now used for the annualMikio Oda Memorial International Amateur Athletic Game. The now-calledHiroshima Prefectural Sports Centerwas one of the host arenas of the2006 FIBA World Championship(basketball).
The Japanese city and the Prefecture of Hiroshima may have been devastated by the atomic bomb over 77 years ago, but today, this site of the destruction is one of the top tourist destinations in the entire country. Statistics released by the nation's tourist agency revealed that around 363,000 visitors went to the metropolis during 2012, with Americans making up the vast majority of that figure, followed by Australians and Chinese.In 2016, some 1.18 million foreigners visited Hiroshima, a 3.2-fold jump from about 360,000 in 2012. Americans were the largest group, accounting for 16%, followed by Australians at 15%, Italians at 8% and Britons at 6%. The numbers of Chinese and South Korean visitors were small, representing only 1% and 0.2% of the total.
There are many popular tourist destinations near Hiroshima. A popular destination outside the city isItsukushima Island, also known asMiyajima, which is a sacred island with many temples and shrines. But inside Hiroshima there are many popular destinations as well, and according to online guidebooks, these are the most popular tourist destinations in Hiroshima:
Other popular places in the city include theHondōrishopping arcade.