Nepedia
Back to Discover
Fluent Reader
🗺️

Hiroshima Prefecture

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Hiroshima Prefecture is a special part of Japan. It is located in the Chūgoku region on Honshu island.

Map of Hiroshima Prefecture Ja
Map of Hiroshima Prefecture Ja

The area has a large population of over 2.8 million people. It covers a total area of 8,479 square kilometers. Many different prefectures sit near its borders. You can find Okayama to the east and Tottori to the northeast. Shimane is to the north and Yamaguchi is to the southwest. The prefecture even touches Ehime Prefecture across the water.

Onomichi city huukei
Onomichi city huukei

The land in Hiroshima has many different shapes. Most of the area is made of mountains. These mountains lead up toward Shimane Prefecture in the north. Near the coast, rivers flow down to create flat, rich plains. The prefecture sits right next to the Seto Inland Sea. This sea is very calm and sheltered. Because of this, the weather stays very mild. Many small islands are scattered throughout the water.

Mihara
Mihara

History is a big part of this place. Long ago, the land was split into two provinces. These were called Bingo Province and Aki Province. This area has been a center for trade for a long time. It was also the home of the Mōri clan. In 1945, the city of Hiroshima was hit by an atomic bomb. Since then, the area has worked hard to rebuild. It is now a major center for schools and industry.

Fukuyama-city photo
Fukuyama-city photo

There are fourteen cities found within the prefecture. Hiroshima is the capital and the largest city. It has more than 1.1 million people living there. Other important cities include Fukuyama, Kure, and Higashihiroshima.

Saijyo-cho
Saijyo-cho

The economy is very strong due to manufacturing. One famous company called Mazda is based here. They make automobiles for people all over the world. Manufacturing production here is the 10th largest in all of Japan.

Etajima in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja
Etajima in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja

Visitors come to see many amazing things. Hiroshima is one of only three prefectures with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One site is the Atomic Dome in Hiroshima city. It is a remnant from before the war in 1945. The other site is the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima. This shrine is famous because it looks like it floats during high tide.

Onomichi city huukei
Onomichi city huukei

People also enjoy many local festivals throughout the year. They celebrate things like the Saijo Sake Festival in October.

376 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (55)
File:Map of Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
Map of Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
File:Fukuyama-city photo.jpg
Fukuyama-city photo.jpg
File:Onomichi city huukei.jpg
Onomichi city huukei.jpg
File:Saijyo-cho.jpg
Saijyo-cho.jpg
File:Mihara.jpg
Mihara.jpg
File:Flag of Akitakata, Hiroshima.svg
Flag of Akitakata, Hiroshima.svg
File:Akitakata in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
Akitakata in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
File:Flag of Etajima, Hiroshima.svg
Flag of Etajima, Hiroshima.svg
File:Etajima in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
Etajima in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
File:Flag of Fuchu city, Hiroshima.svg
Flag of Fuchu city, Hiroshima.svg
File:Fuchu in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
Fuchu in Hiroshima Prefecture Ja.svg
File:Flag of Fukuyama, Hiroshima.svg
Flag of Fukuyama, Hiroshima.svg

+ 43 more

More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.