Hiroshima
In 1589, the powerful warlord Mōri Terumoto established a castle town on the delta coastline of the Seto Inland Sea. He named this new settlement Hiroshima, which translates to wide island in Japanese. The city grew from a small fishing village along the shores of Hiroshima Bay that had been prosperous since the 12th century. Trade with the rest of Japan under the Taira clan fueled early economic growth. A Zen Buddhist temple called Mitaki-Ji served as an anchor for the region's initial prosperity. Mōri Terumoto moved into his newly built Hiroshima Castle in 1593. The strategic location allowed the city to become a key military center during the imperial era. It played significant roles in conflicts like the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War. Following the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu deprived Mōri Terumoto of most fiefs. From 1619 until 1871, the Asano clan ruled over the territory. The city officially gained status as a municipality in 1889 after the Meiji Restoration transformed Japan.
At 8:15 a.m. on Monday, the 6th of August 1945, the American Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as Enola Gay dropped the nuclear weapon Little Boy. Paul Tibbets flew the aircraft directly over the city. The blast instantly killed at least 70,000 people, including thousands of Korean slave laborers. Fewer than 10% of the casualties were military personnel. By the end of that year, injury and radiation brought the total number of deaths to between 90,000 and 140,000. About 70% of the city's buildings were destroyed while another 7% suffered severe damage. The population before the bombing had reached 360,000 but dropped sharply afterward. School children aged 11 to 14 years had been mobilized to create firebreaks against potential attacks. Public release of film footage following the attack was restricted during the occupation of Japan. Much information remained censored until the signing of the Treaty of San Francisco in 1951. John Hersey published his article Hiroshima in The New Yorker magazine on the 31st of August 1946.
On the 17th of September 1945, the Makurazaki Typhoon struck the recovering city and caused more than 3,000 deaths and injuries. More than half the bridges in the city were destroyed along with heavy damage to roads and railroads. From 1945 to 1952, Hiroshima came under occupation from the British Empire. The national government passed the Hiroshima Peace Memorial City Construction Law in 1949 to provide financial assistance for reconstruction. Land previously owned by the national military was donated to help rebuild the infrastructure. A design was selected for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in 1949. The Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall became known as the Genbaku Dome or Atomic Dome. It stands as a preserved ruin within the park since becoming part of the memorial complex. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum opened its doors in 1955 inside the Peace Park. The historic castle of Hiroshima was rebuilt in 1958 after decades of ruins. A steel Peace Pagoda built in 1966 by Nipponzan-Myōhōji stands uniquely among other monuments. Shinzo Hamai served as mayor from 1905 until his death in 1968 when he initiated the proclamation of the city as a City of Peace.
The population around 1910 stood at 143,000 before growing to 360,000 prior to World War II. By 1955, the city's population had returned to pre-war levels despite the devastation. As of 2023, the city has a population of 1,183,696 living across eight wards. The gross domestic product in Greater Hiroshima reached US$61.3 billion as of 2010. Mazda Motor Corporation established itself as a major industrial force within the region. Mitsubishi, Kawasaki, and JMUcor IHI Kure Works operate shipyards along the waterfront. Streetcar service started in 1912 but was interrupted by the atomic bomb. Service between Koi/Nishi Hiroshima and Tenma-cho resumed just three days after the bombing. By 2011, the city possessed 298 streetcars, more than any other city in Japan. Hiroshima University moved its main campus from the city center to Higashihiroshima City in 1972. Almost all campuses were relocated to Higashihiroshima by 1995. The schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences, law school, and Center for Research on Regional Economic System remain in Hiroshima City.
Hiroshima was proclaimed a City of Peace by the Japanese parliament in 1949 at the initiative of mayor Shinzo Hamai. The city received international attention as a desirable location for holding conferences on peace and social issues. The Hiroshima Interpreters' and Guide's Association was established in 1992 to facilitate interpretation for these events. The Hiroshima Peace Institute was founded in 1998 within Hiroshima University. The Mayor of Hiroshima serves as president of Mayors for Peace, an organization mobilizing cities worldwide to abolish nuclear weapons. On the 27th of May 2016, Barack Obama became the first sitting United States president to visit since the atomic bombing. The 49th annual G7 summit took place in Hiroshima during May 2023. Six sister cities maintain relationships with Hiroshima including Chongqing, Daegu, Hanover, Honolulu, Montreal, and Volgograd. Oleander is the official flower because it was the first to bloom again after the explosion in 1945. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony occurs annually on August 6 inside the Peace Memorial Park.
A man making okonomiyaki cooks the savory pancake on an iron plate usually in front of customers. Layers typically include egg, cabbage, bean sprouts, sliced pork or bacon topped with noodles and sauce. The amount of cabbage used is three to four times greater than that used in Osaka style. Statistics revealed around 363,000 visitors went to the metropolis during 2012 with Americans making up the vast majority. In 2016, some 1.18 million foreigners visited Hiroshima representing a 3.2-fold jump from previous years. The city hosts professional sports clubs like Sanfrecce Hiroshima football team and Hiroshima Toyo Carp baseball club. The Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima serves as home for the main association football club. Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima hosts the major baseball club members of the Central League. The Hiroshima Flower Festival takes place each May while the Hiroshima International Film Festival runs annually in November. Shukkei-en gardens remain a popular destination alongside Mitaki-dera Temple and Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine. Itsukushima Island also known as Miyajima stands as a sacred island with many temples nearby.
Common questions
When was Hiroshima established as a castle town by Mōri Terumoto?
Mōri Terumoto established the city of Hiroshima in 1589. He named the settlement to mean wide island and moved into his newly built Hiroshima Castle in 1593.
What happened to Hiroshima on the 6th of August 1945 at 8:15 a.m?
The American Boeing B-29 Superfortress known as Enola Gay dropped the nuclear weapon Little Boy over the city of Hiroshima. The blast instantly killed at least 70,000 people and destroyed about 70% of all buildings within the area.
Who served as mayor of Hiroshima from 1905 until his death in 1968?
Shinzo Hamai served as mayor of Hiroshima from 1905 until his death in 1968. He initiated the proclamation of the city as a City of Peace during his tenure.
How many streetcars does Hiroshima have as of 2011?
By 2011 the city possessed 298 streetcars which is more than any other city in Japan. Streetcar service started in 1912 but was interrupted by the atomic bomb before resuming three days after the attack.
When did Barack Obama visit Hiroshima as United States president?
Barack Obama became the first sitting United States president to visit Hiroshima on the 27th of May 2016. This historic visit occurred decades after the atomic bombing that took place in 1945.