Hi, my name is JD (Diego). Welcome to Japan! Here is a short guide for some aspects of living in Higashi Hiroshima and being a Hiroshima University student.

Target:  International Students in Saijo, Higashi Hiroshima, Japan

Update: April 03, 2025

I was a Hiroshima Ambassador for Study Abroad, and it is a pleasure to help and support! You can find more information at the Hiroshima International Center: https://hiroshima-ic.or.jp/en/ 

I started my master's degree in 2022, and I am currently a Phd student in IDEC, Hiroshima University

• Miyajima - is one of the best options for peaceful and enjoyable moments, meet the tradition of Japan and eat all Momijis you can! ( Sweets and more drink to the top, also the aquarium is there, and you can do trekking to the top!)

• Onomichi - to know a city in Japan where there are many really good spots (I recommend the Thai restaurant for the food and tuk tuk; just let me know, and I can connect with the owner)

• Kure - for going to the beach and eating something, there is a train directly from Hiroshima City

• Kita Hiroshima - for doing ski, one of I went was Utopia 

• Atomic Bomb - this is a must-see place to go

• Visit Hondori 

• Visit Sake Street - If you want, I can reserve a time to gather with high school students! 

Enjoy together! This is my short list, but of course there are more! 

• Gaba Ramen  in Higashi Hiroshima - https://maps.app.goo.gl/XykbzT8kg4e7DadQ7   and also in Hiroshima - https://g.co/kgs/kuYpcni 

• Sushi in Higashi Hiroshima 

• You can buy a second-hand bicycle, no need to buy a new one. But for the new one I recommend the Ashahi brand, is more durable and strong.

• Also, many of my friends have two bicycles; just ask anytime.

• To get air, please go to Youmetown, just in front of the door you can get for free.

• If you need to repair it, there are some places where you can go, but I recommend fixing it yourself (buying fixing things in Daiso). Let me know if I can help to fix it, I have all the equipment.

• Your bicycle should have a registration with your name; if this is the case,  all is normal. However, if the name is different, by Japanese law, it can be suspected to be stolen.

• By Japanese law, you can not drive your bicycle drunk, so take care.

• By Japanese law, you can not drive your bicycle without light at night. 

• By Japanese law, you can not drive your bicycle using earphones or listening to music, so just take care. Some police officer can stop you.

• My recommendation is not to run, just to drive comfortably and enjoy the time 

You can post something related to university life! There are more groups where you can sell your things like: Sayonara in Hiroshima, or Hiroshima University Official group.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/3869453289811932 

Just apply to Hiroshima International Center Card. 

If you are student, you can get a delivery to your school: Just apply here: https://hiroshima-ic.or.jp/support/facilities/ 

You can join to Museums, some time you can join free, with discount. There are many facilities, for example places to where Kimono!

Call to 0120 331 260, just say your address anytime + some reference and they will pick up you. For example: Sumimasen, watashi wa pedoro desu. Takushī o onegaishimasu. Hiroshimadaigaku no Yumetaun ni imasu.

 This means that your name is Pedro, that you want a taxi, and that you are in Youmetown near Hiroshima University.

Is expensive, but safe, just take it if you need.

First you can prevent everything, is the japanese culture. 

Then please go to Higashi Hiroshima Health Center, is near to Student Plaza.

There are others Hospitals. One recent I visited was the Hospital in JIKE Station, you can walk 20 minutes to go there from Jike Station. They have one doctor who can speak very well English. 

List of hospitals in Higashi Hiroshima. In Jike. https://maps.app.goo.gl/AhV526CPx2DPqceo7?g_st=ic

List of hospitals In the night and holiday https://www.city.higashihiroshima.lg.jp/en/7/33907.html

List of hospitals in English https://www.city.higashihiroshima.lg.jp/en/7/33807.html

Rehabilitation center, you can take free bus.  Is in Taguti Higashi Hiroshima. Near to the University. 

If you are JICA student, please bring your blue  card, and you wont pay anything, also from the beginning and for the medical treatment.

https://www.city.higashihiroshima.lg.jp/material/files/group/159/hospital_list_2023.pdf

Just call in your language, and say your address or where you are, have this information with you in a pocket note or something.

You can buy many things at the Higashi Hiroshima Campus.  https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/koho_press/goods

You can buy hoodies, t-shirts, pins, pens, stickers, neck covers, towels,  Hiroshima Carps and many others,   all with the Logo of Hiroshima University.  You can find in Kazumi (in Hiroshima city and Higashi Hiroshima. All mainly in the Coop (Coop is the business partner of Hiroshima University) near to the Central Library. Here -> https://maps.app.goo.gl/8yuwVrrmhAnE4EMx9 

If you use your ID Card from Hiroshima University, you can get some discount in the Coop shops. 

Mirai  Crea
Coop Restaurants:

Inside the campus there are Coop Restaurants, so there is a normal menu with the same options over the time. Sometimes they change. You can find rice, noodles, chicken,  and also in you search in the last part you can find some sweets juices and coffe!. 

Sushi restaurant 

Shabu Shabu

Izakaya with good chicken

Pork and fried rice

Sushi only take out

Izakaya with real japanese style and more space

Mama bar 

Bar Three

 (Just connect to one chinese, and he will introduce to this). For moving, for chinese food, and many other things.

Tandoor (India restaurant)

Tandoor (is an India restaurant by Nepal staff, is delicious). You can find one near to Youme Town  https://maps.app.goo.gl/BiPxNexu6S1VKk2a6  and other near to Hiroshima City Hall https://maps.app.goo.gl/qmyDURmBPGK5WjoXA .   The staff are nice and food is affordable, around 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen.

Mc Donalds in Youme town

KFC and Mc Donalds in Fuji Grand

Cafe Latino, is in Hiroshima City, the owner is my friend, his name is Richard!

Brazilian (Delivery)  

Brazilian restaurant (In the city)

Indonesia food (Just ask someone from Indonesia). You can order by delivery. Around 1,000 to 1,500 yen.

There are many  for example: 

 Book off for laptops and Manga, aslo cheap technology - https://g.co/kgs/2wZyaUy 

Second street - clothles and all (Second hand) - https://g.co/kgs/2R8AqJr 

Second Hand Shop - https://g.co/kgs/UCF3RSr 

There are many circles in Hiroshima University, you can ask to be part, sometimes the barrier in Japanese Language, but you can enjoy in many aspects. I strongly recommed to be part of Talk Talk https://twitter.com/talk_hirodai?lang=en  . There are many: https://home.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/ntsunema/old/society/pdf/clubs_and_circles_en.pdf