Hiroshima Prefecture is located in western Japan, around the middle of the Chugoku region, and is bounded to the south by the Seto Inland Sea. The coastal district is heavily industrialized, with many factories for automobiles, ships, household appliances, and steel. But the northern part of the prefecture is generally rural and is sparsely populated. Its major farm products include rice, vegetables, and citrus fruits like tangerines.

Part of the Inland Sea National Park is in Hiroshima, as is the Western Chugoku Mountains Quasi-National Park.

The coastal region has been developed from ancient times and has many cultural assets. One of the most renowned is the Itsukushima Shrine built along the beach. It's traditionally been noted as one of the three most scenic sites in the country and is registered on UNESCO's World Heritage list along with another Hiroshima symbol, the Atomic Bomb Dome.

The city of Hiroshima is the prefectural capital. The city prospered as a center of education and the defense industry through World War II. But it was decimated on August 6, 1945, when it became the first city to be struck by an atomic bomb during wartime, killing 200,000 people instantly. Since then, Hiroshima has become a symbol of peace. Today, it is the home of leading automobile and electric machinery manufacturers.