Hiroshima

Japan

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Hiroshima is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture in western Japan, located on the island of Honshu along the Seto Inland Sea. The city has a population of approximately 1,198,021 inhabitants in the metropolitan area. Founded in 1589 as a castle town by the feudal lord Mōri Terumoto, Hiroshima developed into an important military and industrial center during the Meiji period. On August 6, 1945, it became the first city in history to be targeted by an atomic bomb, an event that caused vast destruction and loss of life.

Today, Hiroshima is internationally recognized as a symbol of peace and reconstruction. Major landmarks include the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island is famous for its floating torii gate. Hiroshima is also known for its regional cuisine, particularly Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Notable individuals born in Hiroshima include singer Mika Kobayashi.

Hiroshima in Japan

Population 1,198,021 inhabitants

Area 905.0 km²

Density 1,324 inh./km²

Metropolitan Area 1,431,534 inhabitants (2015)

Coordinates 34.4° N
132.5° E

Hiroshima Population Evolution

The following curve shows the evolution of Hiroshima population between 1889 and 2021.

Population Summary

Year	Population	Change
1889	83,387
1942	419,182	+402.7%
1965	665,289	+58.7%
1995	1,117,117	+67.9%
2020	1,199,186	+7.3%

Interactive Map of Hiroshima

📍 Points of Interest

What to see in Hiroshima

Hiroshima Peace Memorial

Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Aioi Bridge

Assumption of Mary Cathedral, Hiroshima

Hondori

shopping arcade in Japan

Shukkei-en

daimyo garden

Itsukushima Shrine

Munakata shrine

Famous People Born in Hiroshima

Hiroaki Morishima

association football player

Born 1972

Mika Kobayashi

singer

Born 1978

Japanese singer and songwriter

Masato Morishige

association football player

Born 1987

Tomoaki Makino

association football coach

Born 1987

Suzuka Nakamoto

actor

Born 1997

Japanese musician

Sister Cities of Hiroshima

Sister cities, also known as twin cities, are formal partnerships between cities in different countries to promote cultural and commercial ties.

This list is based on publicly available structured data and may differ slightly from official municipal publications.

City	Country	Population
Chongqing	🇨🇳 People's Republic of China	32,054,159
Daegu	🇰🇷 South Korea	2,444,412
Montreal	🇨🇦 Canada	1,800,055
Volgograd	🇷🇺 Russia	1,012,219
Hanover	🇩🇪 Germany	548,186
Nagasaki	🇯🇵 Japan	404,656
Honolulu	🇺🇸 United States	350,964

Learn more about Hiroshima

Frequently Asked Questions about Hiroshima

Where is Hiroshima located?

Hiroshima is a major city in western Japan, located in Hiroshima Prefecture on the island of Honshu. It sits along the Seto Inland Sea and serves as the region’s largest urban center. The city is approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) southwest of Tokyo and is easily accessible by Japan’s high-speed rail network.

Why is Hiroshima historically significant?

Hiroshima is globally known as the first city targeted by an atomic bomb during World War II. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb over the city, causing unprecedented destruction and loss of life. This event marked a turning point in modern warfare and remains central to discussions about nuclear weapons, peace, and global security. Today, Hiroshima is internationally recognized as a symbol of peace and nuclear disarmament.

What is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial?

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial, commonly called the Atomic Bomb Dome, is one of the few structures left standing near the bomb’s hypocenter. It has been preserved as a reminder of the devastation caused by nuclear weapons. The site is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It stands as a powerful symbol of remembrance and peace advocacy.

What can visitors see at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park?

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is a large public park located in central Hiroshima. Major attractions include: Atomic Bomb Dome Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum The Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims The Children’s Peace Monument The park welcomes millions of visitors annually and serves as a center for education about World War II history and nuclear disarmament.

Is Hiroshima safe to visit today?

Yes, Hiroshima is completely safe to visit. The city was rebuilt after World War II and is now a modern, thriving metropolitan area with a population of over one million people in the greater metropolitan region. Radiation levels in the city are normal and comparable to other major cities worldwide.

What Is the Population of Hiroshima in 2026?

The population of Hiroshima in 2026 is estimated to 1,205,370 inhabitants. This estimate is taken from our extrapolation of available data and not an official estimate.

Other facts about Hiroshima

View sunrise and sunset times in Hiroshima throughout the year, with daily data and an interactive chart. Is it day or night in Hiroshima? Check using our day/night live map.

Sources & References

Wikidata