nearest to hiroshima

which is nearest to hiroshima, osaka or kyoto? also, is it advisable to go to hiroshima during winter,like December?

Osaka is a bit closer.
Of course you can visit in winter as well, though spring and autumn are generally the better times to visit (almost) anywhere in Japan.

Osaka is 50 km nearer Hiroshima than Kyoto, I've never been to Hiroshima during winter, sorry

Hiroshima's main sites are the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park. The season obviously has no affect on the museum. The park is basically the same year round, as well. Plus the monuments in the park and the Atomic Bomb Dome are the main points of interest and they don't change either.

Hiroshima Castle is not a particularly seasonal castle. Shukkeien Garden is probably the most affected place in regards to season, but I think it should still look nice in the winter.

In general, Hiroshima is not a city where season is of great importance for travel.

Osaka is closer, and Shin-Osaka Station is the hub station that joins JR Central and JR West companies. There will be more trains leaving for Hiroshima from Shin-Osaka than from Kyoto.

There is a winter inlumination at Peace Park called Dreamination. It runs from November 17th to January 3rd. Here is a link:

http://www.dreamination.com/

There is also the Onomichi Lemon Festival that goes from November 30th to December 25th. Another link:

http://www.apahotel.com.e.ju.hp.transer.com/event_bank/detail/10117900...

There is something about a booth on the 7th and 8th ran by local high school students to promote Lemons (Hiroshima is the largest lemon producer in Japan).

I don't know about lemons, but what I remember about going to Hiroshima was eating roasted chestnuts. They were vendors selling them at the station, and a Miyajima Island. I had these in October, but I think roasted chestnuts sound like a great December memory.

On New years eve, there is a Fire Prevention Festival at the Itsukshima Shrine on Miyajima Island. The locals make pine torches and light up the shoreline. The embers are gathered and placed in family alters as a good luck charm to prevent their homes against fire. Another link:

http://www.miyajima.or.jp/english/event/event_chinka.html

I hope this helps.

We visited Hiroshima in mid/late December and had a good time. It snowed very lightly one night which was very romantic.

The other great thing was Hiroshima had a really nice Christmas lights display. Definitely recommend timing your visit to see them. When we were there, they were testing the lights the night before the official start so we got to avoid all the crowds.

The negative, it gets dark early and shops close early. We went to Miyajima Island after visiting the Atomic Park and museum and a lot of the store were closed/closing at about 3pm. The cable car also closed early.

To all,

Thank you very much!!! Very helpful!