Informational Newsletter for English-Speaking Residents “Hiroshima NOW” January 2026 (English No. 45)
Informational Newsletter for English Speaking Residents
The latest volume of Hiroshima NOW is here! ➡ PDF [5.10MB]
Articles in Hiroshima NOW are excerpts from Hiroshima Shimin to Shisei, a free newspaper produced by the City of Hiroshima. This monthly newsletter is published in English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese and Simplified Japanese.
Hiroshima Shimin to Shisei is available to view on the city’s website. It can also be translated via an automatic translation app into various languages.
🍢 Table of Contents
1. Seasonal events information
2. Be patient if you see the Help Mark
3. Public vocational training programs: Hello Training
4. Children’s SOS Consultation Service
5. New municipal library system
6. February Municipal Housing Applications
7. Holiday trash collection schedule in January and February
1. Seasonal events information
Hiroshima Museum of Art: The Secret of White in Paintings
Date ：Saturday, December 13, 2025 – Sunday March 22, 2026
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm *Please enter by 4:30 pm.
Access：
① 5 minutes walk from Kamiya-cho Higashi streetcar stop
② 3 minutes walk from the Hiroshima Bus Center
Admission fee:
Adults 2,200 yen
High school/College students 1,000 yen
Elementary/Junior high school students 500 yen
Over 65 2,000 yen *Documents that proves your age required.
🔸This ticket is also valid for the collection galleries.
🔸Free admission for preschool children
🔸Free admission for visitors with a disability certificate and one accompanying person
Inquiries: Hiroshima Museum of Art Tel. 082-223-2530
URL: https://www.hiroshima-museum.jp/
Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum: Ihei Kimura, Living in Photography
😊 Ihei Kimura (1901-1974) is one of the finest photographers in Japan. Through this special exhibition showcasing 165 works we have chance to take a retrospective look at his artistic activities.
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025 – Sunday, February 8, 2026
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm *Please enter by 4:30 pm.
*On Fridays, the Museum is open till 7 pm. Please enter by 6:30 pm.
Access: Get off at Shukkei-en Mae streetcar stop (Hakushima Line)
Admission Fee:
Adults 1,500 yen
High school/College students 1,000 yen
Elementary/Junior high school students 700 yen
🔸During the exhibition period you can enter Shukkeien Garden for 100 yen with this special exhibition ticket. *Shukkeien Garden is located next to the museum.
🔸Present your student ID when purchasing a student ticket and enter the exhibit.
🔸Half the admission fee for visitors with a disability certificate and one accompanying person
Inquires: Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum Tel. 082-221-6246
URL: https://www.hpam.jp/museum/
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art: Adrian Berg, The Infinite Garden
😊 This is the first solo exhibition in Japan showcasing the works of British artist, Adrian Berg (1929-2011).
Date: Saturday, January 24 – Sunday, April 12
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm *Please enter by 4:30 pm.
Closed: Mondays (except February 23) and Tuesday, February 24
Access: 10 minutes walk from Hijiyama-shita streetcar stop
🔸The museum is located on the top of Hijiyama Mountain (Altitude of 71 meters). You can walk or use the Hijiyama Sky Walk moving walkway to reach the top.
🔸You can find the entrance of Hijiyama Sky Walk near the Hijiyama Tunnel (Danbara side), and the sky walk is also directly accessed from the 3rd floor of the Hiroshima Danbara Shopping Center.
Admission Fee:
Adults 1,100 yen
College students 800 yen
High school students 550 yen
Over 65 550 yen
Junior high school students and younger Free
Inquires: Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art Tel. 082-264-1121
URL: www.hiroshima-moca.jp
Tondo Matsuri at Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
😊 “Tondo Matsuri” is a bonfire festival which people bring their new year ornaments to burn in a bonfire while wishing for good health and prosperity for the year. At Gokoku Shrine, roasted mochi rice cakes will be served to visitors during the matsuri.
🔸If you have old amulets or ofuda to be burned at the matsuri, please bring them to the shrine by January 14.
Date & Time: Thursday, January 1–Saturday, January 3
Venue: Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
Access:
① 10 minutes walk from Kamiya-cho Higashi streetcar stop
② 8 minutes walk from the Hiroshima Bus Center
Inquires: Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine Tel 082-221-5590
URL: https://www.h-gokoku.or.jp/
Ōbuku Tea Ceremony at Shukkeien Park
Date & Time: Sunday, January 18, 10 am – 3 pm
Venue: Shukkeien Park (2-11 Kaminobori-machi, Naka-ku)
Access: 5 minutes walk from Shukkeien mae streetcar stop (Hakushima Line)
Fee: 1,500 yen (Tea ceremony)🔸Admission fee for the garden is required separately.
Admission fee:
Adults 350 yen
College students 150 yen
High school students and younger Free
Inquires: Shukkeien Garden Tel. 082-221-3620
URL: https://shukkeien.jp
Setsubun-sai at Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
😊 “Setsubun” is applied to the day preceding the beginning of each season. Traditionaly, it is said that people often feel evil spirits when the season changes. Especially the first day of spring (risshun), which falls on February 3 or 4, people are going to scatter beans for Setsubun to drive off evil spirits and bring in good luck.
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 3, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Venue: Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
Access:
① 10 minutes walk from Kamiya-cho Higashi streetcar stop
② 8 minutes walk from the Hiroshima Bus Center
Programs:
Following the ritual ceremony (starting at 3:30 pm), a Yumi Shinji (Shinto archery ritual) will take place, attempting to hit a target with an Oni (a demon) face. After that the Mame-maki (bean-throwing ceremony) will be held, and people who catch the beans with lucky tickets will get a good luck charm. All present can participate in the Mame-maki.
🔸Roasted beans will be given to elementary school students and younger children.
🔸Mame-maki will be cancelled if it is raining and then roasted beans will be given to all visitors.
Inquiries: Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine Tel 082-221-5590
URL: https://www.h-gokoku.or.jp/
2. Be patient if you see the Help Mark
The Help Mark denotes the presence of an invisible illness, disability, or disorder, and invites you to give the holder grace and support.
Please assist the holders of this mark where you can – offer them a seat on public transit, or offer to help them if they seem to be struggling.
For those who need a Help Mark, they are distributed at the Disabled Citizens Welfare Division, ward welfare divisions, and branch offices.
Inquires: Disabled Citizens Welfare Division (Shōgai Fukushi Ka)Tel. 082-504-2147
3. Public vocational training programs: Hello Training
“Hello Training” are public vocational training programs for people who wish to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge in order to get a new job as well as to upskill. Training courses are designed based on the needs of local industries such as the automobile manufacturing industry. Training is generally free of charge, but fees for educational material are required.
Note: There are some training programs that may require you to pay a training fee.
For more information about training programs, please see the Hiroshima Labor Bureau (Hiroshima Rōdō Kyoku) website (Japanese).
Note: Automatic translation into English available.
About public vocational training programs
There are two types of vocational training programs available:
▶公共職業訓練（Kōkyōshokugyōkunren）
Vocational training programs for job seekers eligible for employment insurance benefits
▶求職者支援訓練 (Kyūshoku-sha shien kunren)
Vocational training programs for job seekers ineligible for employment insurance benefits
The following support programs are available for people who satisfy certain requirements:
🔸 Training benefits for job seekers (Kyūshoku-sha shien seido）
By taking advantage of this support system, job seekers who satisfy certain requirements can receive vocational training benefits (Shokugyōkunren jukōkyūfukin) of 100,000 yen per month while taking vocational training.
🔸 Finance loan (Kyōiku kunren shien yūshi）
If you satisfy certain requirements, you can receive finance loan for your living expenses while taking training including a lecture for reskilling.
😊 For more information regarding the support system, including how to apply and what sort of requirements you must meet, please consult with your local Hello Work office.
How to apply
1. Register for job search and have a consultation meeting at your local Hello Work
2. Apply for a vocational training
3. Screening (Interview and pre-test are required. Please bring a pencil and an eraser for the test.)
4. People who get accepted start attending training
Inquiries:
| Hello Work | Responsible Area | Telephone | Address |
| Hello Work Hiroshima | Naka-ku, Nishi-ku, Asaminami-ku and Saeki-ku except Yuki-cho and Suginami-dai |
082-223-8609 | 8-2 Kami-hatchobori, Naka-ku |
| Hello Work Hiroshima Higashi | Higashi-ku, Minami-ku, Aki-ku and Aki-gun | 082-264-8609 | 13-7 Hikarigaoka, Higashi-ku |
| Hello Work Kabe | Asakita-ku and Yamagata- gun |
082-815-8609 | 3-3-36 Kabe-minami, Asakita-ku |
😊 For residents living in Yuki-cho and Suginami-dai, please consult with the Hello Work Hatsukaichi (Tel. 0829-32-8609).
4. Kodomo no SOS sōdan madoguchi (Children’s SOS Consultation Service)
The consultation service for children facing bullying and other issues has changed its name from “Ijime 110 (hyaku tō) ban (Bullying 110)” to the “Kodomo no SOS sōdan madoguchi (Children’s SOS Consultation Service)”. The consultation hours and phone number have not changed.
Kodomo no SOS sōdan madoguchi (Children’s SOS Consultation Service) *This service is in Japanese only.
❖ Formerly “Ijime 110 (hyaku tō) ban (Bullying 110)”
Consultation hours: Always available – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Telephone: 082-242-2110
Inquiries: Child and Youth Support Department (Kodomo Seishōnen Shien Bu) Tel. 082-242-2103
5. There is a new municipal library system
From Wednesday, January 14, the library system used by municipal libraries will be changing. Among new additions is a feature to allow you to browse the library catalogue on the website, akin to actually viewing the shelves in person.
🔸In order to facilitate these updates, municipal libraries including the ward libraries and children’s libraries will be closed through Tuesday, January 13. For more details, please visit the municipal libraries website: https://www.library.city.hiroshima.jp/
🔸 Central Library (Chuō Toshokan) will be closed on a special schedule while preparing for the opening in summer of 2026.
Inquiries: Central Library (ChuōToshokan) Tel. 082-222-5542
*You can inquire about the library by phone during the special closure period.
6. February Municipal Housing Applications
Municipal housing is available for residents who are registered with the city, currently living within city limits, and meet the requirements, including the number of family members, as well as income limit. For more details, including eligibility and application procedures, please contact the relevant office or check the City’s official website:
Official City of Hiroshima website (in Japanese):
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/jyuutaku/6265.html
| Selection Month |
Application Forms Available Beginning |
Application Period | ||
| Online | Post | In-person | ||
| February 2026 |
February 2 (Mon) | 2/2 (Mon) – 2/12 (Thu) |
2/9 (Mon), 2/10 (Tue) and 2/12 (Thu) |
|
◍ Couples with Partnership Certificates/Cards can apply for the municipal housing.
◍ For individuals who wish to apply for housing outside of the above-mentioned submission schedule, applications will be accepted once there are openings. For more information, please check the City’s official website (Japanese):
Official City of Hiroshima website (in Japanese)
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/jyuutaku/6267.html
Applications
Where to find applications:
▨▶City of Hiroshima Housing Policy Division (Jūtaku Seisaku Ka) (Address: City Hall Main Building, 5F), Architecture Division (Kenchiku Ka) of ward office, various wards’ branch offices
Hours: 8:30 am-5:15 pm (Mon-Fri)
Closed: National holidays
▨▶ City Hall Service Corner (Waterworks Bureau Moto-machi Office Building 1F)
Hours: 8:30 am-6:30 pm (Mon-Fri)
Weekends and national/public holidays ⇒ 9:00 am-6:30 pm
Note: Please check with either the Hiroshima Prefecture Government Office’s Reception Desk (1F), or Housing Division (5F).
Information Regarding Available Municipal Housing
For information regarding the types of housing available, please refer to housing applications or the city website. You can check the location using the Hiroshima City Municipal Housing Map feature.
Municipal Housing Page (Japanese only)
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/jyuutaku/6265.html
Municipal Housing Map (Japanese only)
https://www.midori-gr.com/hiroshima-shiei/info/map.html
Application process
1. Choose a residence from the Municipal Housing Selection List
2. Fill out the required information on the application form
3. Submit your application to your nearest ward office’s Architecture Division (Kenchiku Ka) via one of the following:
▶ Apply online
You can apply online on the website that is available only during the application period. Applications are processed 24 hours/day until the application deadline. (On the first day when the application forms are released on public, applications will be accepted from 8:30 am.)
▶ Apply via postal mail
Place the completed application form and designated application notice postcard in the designated envelope and send in them to the Architecture Division (Kenchiku Ka) of the ward office where the housing you want to apply for is located in. Don’t forget to put a stamp on your envelope.
Notes:
▪ The application form, designated envelope, and postcard are included in the Application Guideline packet.
▪ The application deadline is the last day of the application period. Applications must be postmarked by this date and arrive in the Architecture Division within the application period. Therefore, it is recommended that application should be done as quickly as possible.
▶ Apply in-person
You can bring your application to the Architecture Division of your nearest ward office between 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays.
😊 A copy of your Resident Record (住民票の写し//Jūminhyō no utsushi) and certificate of income (収入証明書//Shūnyū shōmeisho) are not required at the time of application. Only those who are selected as a candidate for municipal housing residents will be requested to submit these documents at the second screening process.
Application Submission and Questions
Please contact the Architecture Division (Kenchiku Ka) of your nearest ward office with any questions or concerns.
| Ward | Telephone | Ward | Telephone |
| Naka | 082-504-2578 | Asaminami | 082-831-4954 |
| Higashi | 082-568-7744 | Asakita | 082-819-3937 |
| Minami | 082-250-8959 | Aki | 082-821-4928 |
| Nishi | 082-532-0949 | Saeki | 082-943-9744 |
7. Holiday trash collection schedule in January and February
〇・・・Garbage is collected ✖・・・Garbage is NOT collected
| National Holiday | Burnable Trash/Plastic Bottles/ Recyclable Plastics in your local ward |
Recyclable & Harmful Waste/ Non-burnable/Other in your local ward |
| January 12 (Monday) (Coming of Age Day) |
〇 | 〇 |
| February 11 (Wednesday) (National Foundation Day) |
✖ | 〇 |
| February 23 (Monday) (Emperor’s Birthday holiday) |
✖ | 〇 |
🖐For more information about waste disposal guidelines, please visit the City of Hiroshima’s official website:
The City of Hiroshima’s official website (Japanese):
https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/kateigomi/363649.html
Inquiries: City Office Environmental Bureau, Operation Division I Tel. 082-504-2220
(Kankyō Kyoku Gyōmu Dai-ichi Ka)
