Introduction

"Hiroshima", the origin of this name

The name "Hiroshima" originates in the year 1589, when Terumoto Mouri coined the name during a farmers New Year celebration following the construction of the Hiroshima castle. This term is a combination formed of the part "hiro" in Mr Mori's forefather Hiromoto Ooe's name and the part "shima" of the name of a military leader of the "Sengoku" (thousand wars) period, Fukushima Motonaga. Another theory states, that the name originates from the natural circumstances, where many islands float within a wide delta.

Symbol of the prefecture

The symbol of the prefecture is a schematic representation of the first (Japanese) letter of the word Hiroshima. Its roundness symbolizes the harmony and unity among the prefectural citizens. The overlapping roundness of these pictograms symbolizes the vigorous development of Hiroshima Prefecture. (Decided on July 16, 1968)

Prefectural bird - red throated loon

The red throated loon is a bird breeding in summer in Arctic and Asian regions and in winter travels south. In particular in the Inland Sea of Japan, the area around Toyoshima in Toyoda-gun has been designated a natural monument as the "playground sea for the visiting red throated loons". (Decided on July 13, 1964)

Prefectural tree - maple

The maple trees is found throughout the whole Hiroshima Prefecture. The many famous places include such renown places of scenic beauty as Sandan-kyo, Taishaku-kyo and Miyakejima. This led to the decision to make the maple tree the symbol of the prefecture. A prefectureal flower has not yet been officially decided upon, but the maple blossoms so well known to the prefectural people could rightfully fill this place. (Decided on September 12, 1966)

Prefectural marine products - oyster

In Hiroshima oysters, a representative fishery product, are already grown for approximately 450 years. Currently, the harvest amounts to a share of about 70% of the countries production. These oysters enjoy a nationwide, overwhelming popularity. (Decided on September 6, 1990)

Area : 8.473,12 square km
Population : 2 million, 881 thousand 662 persons (Stand: November 1995)
Sister city : (China) Sichuan Province
Seat of the prefectural office: Motomachi 10-52, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730
Cities and villages : 13 Cities and 6 villages

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