Hiroshima Prefecture
Prefecture of Japan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hiroshima Prefecture (広島県, Hiroshima-ken; Japanese pronunciation: [çi.ɾo.ɕi.ma, -maꜜ.keɴ][2]) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu.[3] Hiroshima Prefecture has a population of 2,811,410 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 8,479 km2 (3,274 sq mi). Hiroshima Prefecture borders Okayama Prefecture to the east, Tottori Prefecture to the northeast, Shimane Prefecture to the north, and Yamaguchi Prefecture to the southwest. Hiroshima Prefecture also borders Ehime Prefecture for 74 metres (243 ft) on Hyōtanjima.[4]
Hiroshima Prefecture
広島県 | |
|---|---|
| Japanese transcription(s) | |
| • Japanese | 広島県 |
| • Rōmaji | Hiroshima-ken |
Hiroshima Oyster | |
 | |
| Country |  Japan |
| Region | Chūgoku (San'yō) |
| Island | Honshu |
| Capital | Hiroshima |
| Subdivisions | Districts: 5, Municipalities: 23 |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Mika Yokota (since November 2025) |
| Area | |
• Total | 8,479.63 km2 (3,274.00 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 11th |
| Population (June 1, 2019) | |
• Total | 2,811,410 |
| • Rank | 12th |
| • Density | 331.549/km2 (858.707/sq mi) |
| • Dialects | Aki・Bingo |
| GDP | |
| • Total | JP¥ 12,476 billion US$ 92.1 billion (2022) |
| ISO 3166 code | JP-34 |
| Website | pref.hiroshima.lg.jp |
| Symbols of Japan | |
| Bird | Red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) |
| Tree | Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) |
Hiroshima is the capital and largest city of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region, with other major cities including Fukuyama, Kure, and Higashihiroshima.[5] Hiroshima Prefecture is located on the Seto Inland Sea across from the island of Shikoku, and is bounded to the north by the Chūgoku Mountains. Hiroshima Prefecture is one of the three prefectures of Japan with more than one UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known globally for the atomic bombing of 1945, Hiroshima has since rebuilt into a major regional center of industry, education, and culture. Its demographic profile is particularly significant from a population-studies perspective: the city has undergone dramatic population reconstruction after WWII, experienced the demographic transitions associated with Japan’s rapid economic growth, and now faces the contemporary challenges of low fertility, population aging, and gradual population decline.
History
The area around Hiroshima was formerly divided into Bingo Province and Aki Province.[6] This location has been a center of trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded history. Hiroshima is a traditional center of the Chūgoku region and was the seat of the Mōri clan until the Battle of Sekigahara.
Together with Nara and Tokyo, Hiroshima is one of the three prefectures with more than one UNESCO World Heritage Site. The two such sites in Hiroshima Prefecture are:
- The Atomic Dome in Hiroshima, one of the few remnants of prewar Hiroshima following the atomic bombing in 1945;
- The Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, famed for filling with water and appearing to "float" during high tide.
Geography
Government Ordinance Designated City City Town
Hiroshima prefecture lies in the middle of Japan. Most of the prefecture consists of mountains leading towards Shimane Prefecture; and rivers produce rich plains near the coast.
The province faces Shikoku across the Seto Inland Sea. Hiroshima Bay opens on the Inland Sea.[7] The prefecture also includes many small islands.
The sheltered nature of the Inland Sea makes Hiroshima's climate very mild.
As of 1 April 2014, 4% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks (the lowest percentage of any prefecture), namely Setonaikai National Park; Hiba-Dōgo-Taishaku and Nishi-Chūgoku Sanchi Quasi-National Parks; and six Prefectural Natural Parks.[8]
Cities
Fourteen cities are located in Hiroshima Prefecture:
| Name | Area (km2) | Population | Map | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rōmaji | Kanji | |||
 Akitakata |
安芸高田市 | 538.17 | 31,565 |  |
 Etajima |
江田島市 | 100.97 | 24,596 |  |
 Fuchū |
府中市 | 195.71 | 43,932 |  |
 Fukuyama |
福山市 | 518.14 | 468,812 |  |
 Hatsukaichi |
廿日市市 | 489.36 | 117,106 |  |
 Higashihiroshima |
東広島市 | 635.32 | 185,418 |  |
 Hiroshima (capital) |
広島市 | 906.68 | 1,199,391 |  |
 Kure |
呉市 | 352.8 | 228,030 |  |
 Mihara |
三原市 | 471.03 | 97,324 |  |
 Miyoshi |
三次市 | 778.19 | 53,616 |  |
 Onomichi |
尾道市 | 284.85 | 141,811 |  |
 Ōtake |
大竹市 | 78.57 | 27,684 |  |
 Shōbara |
庄原市 | 1,246.6 | 35,870 |  |
 Takehara |
竹原市 | 118.3 | 26,035 |  |
Towns
These are the towns in each district:
| Name | Area (km2) | Population | District | Type | Map | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rōmaji | Kanji | |||||
 Akiōta |
安芸太田町 | 342.25 | 6,585 | Yamagata District | Town |  |
 Fuchū |
府中町 | 10.45 | 52,056 | Aki District |  | |
.svg){kind=spacer} Jinsekikōgen |
神石高原町 | 381.81 | 9,427 | Jinseki District |  | |
 Kaita |
海田町 | 13.81 | 29,082 | Aki District |  | |
 Kitahiroshima |
北広島町 | 645.86 | 19,115 | Yamagata District |  | |
 Kumano |
熊野町 | 33.62 | 24,000 | Aki District |  | |
 Ōsakikamijima |
大崎上島町 | 43.24 | 7,801 | Toyota District |  | |
 Saka |
坂町 | 15.64 | 13,265 | Aki District |  | |
 Sera |
世羅町 | 278.29 | 19,213 | Sera District |  | |
Mergers
Economy
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 1,319,507 | — |
| 1903 | 1,508,713 | +1.04% |
| 1913 | 1,691,699 | +1.15% |
| 1920 | 1,541,905 | −1.32% |
| 1925 | 1,617,680 | +0.96% |
| 1930 | 1,692,136 | +0.90% |
| 1935 | 1,804,916 | +1.30% |
| 1940 | 1,869,504 | +0.71% |
| 1945 | 1,885,471 | +0.17% |
| 1950 | 2,081,967 | +2.00% |
| 1955 | 2,149,044 | +0.64% |
| 1960 | 2,184,043 | +0.32% |
| 1965 | 2,281,146 | +0.87% |
| 1970 | 2,436,135 | +1.32% |
| 1975 | 2,646,324 | +1.67% |
| 1980 | 2,739,161 | +0.69% |
| 1985 | 2,819,200 | +0.58% |
| 1990 | 2,849,847 | +0.22% |
| 1995 | 2,881,748 | +0.22% |
| 2000 | 2,878,915 | −0.02% |
| 2005 | 2,876,642 | −0.02% |
| 2010 | 2,860,750 | −0.11% |
| 2015 | 2,844,963 | −0.11% |
| source:[9] | ||
Hiroshima's main industries include automobiles (Mazda is headquartered there) and tourism in two World Heritage Sites: the A-Bomb dome and Itsukushima Shrine.
Components of the economy are primary industry, secondary industry, and tertiary industry, which compose 0.6%, 32.6%, and 66.2% in 2015. There is 0.6% of unclassified production.[10]
Value of production of manufacturing is 10,343 billion yen in 2016, which is the 10th largest in Japan. After 2012, production of manufacturing is continuously increasing in 2015.[11]
Education
University
- Eikei University of Hiroshima
- Elisabeth University of Music
- Fukuyama City University
- Fukuyama Heisei University
- Fukuyama University
- Hijiyama University
- Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen University
- Hiroshima Bunkyo Women's University
- Hiroshima City University
- Hiroshima Institute of Technology
- Hiroshima Jogakuin University
- Hiroshima Kokusai Gakuin University
- Hiroshima Shudo University
- Hiroshima University of Economics
- Hiroshima University
- Japan Coast Guard Academy
- Onomichi City University
- Prefectural University of Hiroshima
- Yasuda Women's University
Religion
- Pure Land Buddhism (35.3%)
- Zen Buddhism (3.60%)
- Tendai or Shingon Buddhism (4.40%)
- Soka Gakkai (4.90%)
- Nichiren Buddhism (3.00%)
- Other Buddhist schools (1.00%)
- Christianity (2.00%)
- Shinto sects (2.00%)
- Folk Shinto or no religion (44.8%)
Similar to the rest of Japan, most people in the Hiroshima Prefecture are Shinto or Buddhist. In 1996, 51.2% of the population was Buddhist, 2% were affiliated with Shinto Sects, 44.8% practiced Folk Shinto, and 2% were Christian.[12]
Transportation
Railway
People movers
Streetcars
Roads
Expressways
National highways
Ports
Airports
Sports
The sports teams listed below are based in Hiroshima.
American Football
- Hiroshima Hawks (Hiroshima City)
Football
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Hiroshima city)
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina (Hiroshima city)[citation needed]
Baseball
- Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Hiroshima city)
Volleyball
- JT Thunders (Hiroshima city)
Basketball
- Hiroshima Dragonflies
- Hiroshima Lightning (Defunct)
Handball
- Akitakada Handball Club (Akitakada)[citation needed]
- Hiroshima Maple Reds (Hiroshima city)[citation needed]
Cycling
Tourism
Itsukushima Shrine and Torii Gate (Hatsukaichi)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Hiroshima City)
Taishaku Valley (Shobara)
Road of longing (Shokei no michi) in Takehara on October
Hiroshima Castle
Tomonoura (Fukuyama)
Famous festivals and events
- Onomichi Port Festival - held in April
- Hiroshima Flower Festival - held from May 3 to 5
- Fukuyama Rose Festival - held in May
- Enryuji Tokasan Festival - held in June
- Gion Festival of Onomichi - held in July
- Innoshima Water-naval Festival - held in August
- Miyajima Under-water Firework Festival - held on August 14[citation needed]
- Yassa Festival of Mihara - held in August
- Saijo Sake Festival - held in October
- Onomichi Becher Festival - held on November 3
- Hiroshima Ebisu Festival - held from November 18 to 20
International sister relations
Hawaii, United States of America[13]
Sichuan Province, China[14]
