2020-03-02

Living in Hiroshima: Guide for Foreigners

Advice

Hiroshima is a prefecture located on the Honshu island of Japan. Hiroshima is best known among foreigners for its painful history - it was the site of an atomic bombing during World War II. But though the area was almost entirely destroyed at the time, great efforts were made to rebuild the city, and now it has finally returned to its old glory of being a forward-thinking and pleasant residential area, which attracts more and more foreigners every year.

Things To See And Experience In Hiroshima

Hiroshima by almasudi is licensed under CC BY 2.0

There are many things which you can explore in Hiroshima city and prefecture. From world heritage sites to temples and nature escapes, it’s a place where you can discover something new every day.

Hiroshima has two world heritage sites. One of them is Itsukushima, an island and a shrine located in the Inland Sea of Japan. It was erected on the water in 593CE by a military leader and is known for its stunning red architecture, beautiful scenery that surrounds it, sculptures and elements from historic times, but is also an important religious site among Japanese pilgrims. It’s just one of many shrines you will discover in this historic city.

Hiroshima by Luca Sartoni is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The second World Heritage site is the Atomic Bomb Dome, a building that somehow survived the atomic bombing, even though it sat directly under the explosion. The Japanese have decided to leave it in the same state to send a message against nuclear destruction and war, and a Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was built next to it to educate younger generations.

Hiroshima is home to a number of other museums, from the Mazda Museum, where you can see the past and the future plans of this Hiroshima-based automobile company to the Miyajima Municipal History and Folklore Museum that showcases more than 2,000 items from Hiroshima’s history.

Finally, Hiroshima doesn’t lack natural attractions, and the prefecture offers many public parks, beautiful gardens, but also sandy beaches and mountain ranges popular as trekking and skiing destinations.

Living In Hiroshima

Hiroshima by Rog01 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Hiroshima is constantly working on attracting new residents, and they have also published detailed living guides for foreigners who have moved to the city. Besides being popular among international tourists, Hiroshima prefecture is also home to over 200 foreign companies and has a growing reputation as a perfect for expats in Japan to call home.

Hiroshima also has an International School, where non-Japanese speakers can follow their lessons in English. Hospitals, kindergartens, and other important facilities are staffed with foreign language speaking personnel. Finally, there are also several expat communities who are regularly meeting and exchanging their knowledge and experience about living in Japan.

It’s easy to reach Hiroshima from other parts of Japan, whether you prefer going by bus, plane, or a bullet train. It’s connected to Tokyo by the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen train line, while the JAL and ANA offer several flights between the cities on a daily base.

A great benefit for those who decide to live in Hiroshima is the overall lower cost of living when compared to the rest of Japan. This is true for transportation, groceries, restaurants, shops but also rent prices. The average rent for a studio apartment is 50,000 yen per month and around 150,000 yen per month for a larger family apartment, though the prices range depending on the exact location you choose.

Summary

Itsukushima Shrine by TripNotice.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Though best known for its painful history, Hiroshima has risen from the ashes and is now an up and coming area that attracts thousands of new residents every year. Packed with natural, cultural, and historical attractions, but also with facilities for comfortable living, it’s an attractive area for foreigners who want to experience life in Japan beyond the borders of Tokyo. Offering multiple communities for foreign residents and low living costs, it’s definitely worth considering as your new home in Japan.

Sources: Visit Hiroshima, Tokyoroomfinder, All Japan Relocation, Jetro, Numbeo, Japan Guide