This time, we will introduce the history and characteristics of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a local B-class gourmet food of Hiroshima Prefecture.

Hiroshima Prefecture is located in the Chugoku region of Japan, and is a fascinating area where history and nature blend together. You can feel the history here, with places registered as World Heritage sites as symbols of peace, such as the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

Miyajima, where Itsukushima Shrine is located, is known for its beautiful scenery and you can enjoy nature throughout the four seasons. There are also plenty of sea and mountain activities, making it an attractive place to experience a wide variety of things.

This time, we will introduce you to the charming local B-class gourmet food of Hiroshima Prefecture: Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki!

What is Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki?

Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is one of Hiroshima Prefecture's representative gourmet foods, and is appealing due to its unique cooking method and wide variety of ingredients.

It is made by grilling a thin dough on a hot plate, then topping it with ingredients such as cabbage, bean sprouts, and pork, and then adding fried noodles, udon noodles, and eggs, which makes it different from Kansai-style okonomiyaki.

The appeal of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is that it is filling and you can enjoy the texture and flavor of each layer of ingredients. Also, the taste varies from shop to shop, so it's recommended to try different ones.

The History of Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki

The birth of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki dates back to before the war.

At the time, a popular food for the common people was a quick and easy-to-eat dish called "Issenyoshoku," which was made by baking a thin layer of dough made from wheat flour and water and topping it with green onions and tempura flakes.

It is said that in postwar Hiroshima, when there was a shortage of food ingredients, "okonomiyaki" was born by adding ingredients such as cabbage, pork, and bean sprouts to this "Issen Western food."

Eventually, the style of putting fried noodles or udon noodles in between became established, and it became the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki we know today. In the 1950s, many Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki specialty shops appeared in Hiroshima city, and it became a beloved local soul food.

Characteristics of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki

What makes Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki unique is the unique cooking method used, in which the ingredients are layered together.

A generous amount of cabbage, bean sprouts, pork, etc. are layered on top of a thin layer of dough, and it is common to then add fried noodles or udon noodles. Finally, an egg is cracked and fried, and it is finished off with a rich, special okonomiyaki sauce and green laver seaweed.

Another feature is that the ingredients are separated into layers, allowing you to fully enjoy the texture and flavor of each ingredient.

Another attraction is that it contains a large amount of cabbage, making it healthy overall yet filling. The cooking method and flavor, which are different from the Kansai style, make Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki stand out.

Tourist spots in Hiroshima Prefecture

From here, we will introduce some tourist spots in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Atomic Bomb Dome

The Atomic Bomb Dome is located in the center of Hiroshima city, close to the hypocenter of the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.

Before the atomic bomb was dropped, it was used as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, but most of it was destroyed in the explosion, leaving only its exposed steel framework.

It was later decided that it would be preserved as a symbol of peace and to convey to future generations the horrors of the atomic bomb, and in 1996 it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Atomic Bomb Dome is an important monument that conveys the horror of nuclear weapons and expresses hopes for peace, and is visited by many people every year.

Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine is a shrine located on Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture, and is known as one of the Three Most Scenic Spots of Japan. It is said to have been founded in 593, and was remodeled into its current majestic form by Taira no Kiyomori during the Heian period.

It features a large vermilion torii gate floating on the sea, and you can enjoy different views depending on the tides.

The shrine building itself is designed to stand on the sea, creating a mystical atmosphere especially at sunset.

It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, and is now a popular spot visited by many worshippers and tourists from both Japan and abroad.

Miyajima Public Aquarium

Miyajima Public Aquarium, officially named Miyaji Marine and located on Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture, was renovated and reopened in 2011. Currently, it exhibits about 13,000 marine creatures, mainly from the Seto Inland Sea.

The biggest feature of this aquarium is the exhibits that recreate the environment of the Seto Inland Sea, allowing visitors to observe the fish and other creatures that live in the local seas up close.

Performances by sea lions and penguins are also popular, making it a facility that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

In addition, its design harmonizes with Miyajima's natural environment, and it is close to the tourist attraction, Itsukushima Shrine, so it is recommended to visit in between sightseeing.

Access to Hiroshima Prefecture

From here, we will introduce how to access Hiroshima Prefecture.

If you are traveling from Tokyo to Hiroshima Prefecture, we recommend taking the Shinkansen. If you take the Nozomi train that goes directly from Tokyo Station to Hiroshima Station, you can reach Hiroshima in about four hours.

If you are traveling from Osaka to Hiroshima Prefecture, we recommend taking the express bus. It takes longer than the Shinkansen, but it is a cheaper option. The journey takes about 5 hours.

Location of Hiroshima Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced the history and characteristics of Hiroshima Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki."

We learned that Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is made and seasoned differently from Kansai-style okonomiyaki, and is packed with ingredients and very voluminous.

Also, the taste varies depending on the shop, so it might be fun to go around and try different shops to find your favorite.

Hiroshima Prefecture has a lot more to offer than just Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, so be sure to visit!

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