Hiroshima in December 2014

Hi!

I'm on a school home stay program that will be held on the 15th - 22nd Dec 2014 in Hiroshima, but I am planning on arriving earlier to Japan about 12 Dec to make a most of my trip there!

I'm on a budget so I would really like to know
-Which city/cities should I go to for my extra pre-homestay days and what to do there
-How do I get about from there to Hiroshima
-Where the onsens are :D
-What kind of stuff I will need since I'll be a very inexperienced backpacker.

THANKS A LOT!

Which city/cities should I go to for my extra pre-homestay days and what to do there

Depends on where you enter Japan and what your interests are. The following page introduces some interesting attractions in the region around Hiroshima:
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1106.html

Are you also flying into Hiroshima? Kansai? Tokyo?

If you are on a budget, I'd recommend the Kibi Plains:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5705.html

Kurashiki is also easy to visit on a low budget. You can walk around the historic district for free and then decide if you want to enter any of the museums or Ohashi House:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5750.html

Once you rent the bike, the rest of the sites are free.

A nice onsen in the area is Yubara Onsen:
http://www.yubara.com/en/

If it helps, flying from Tokyo Haneda to Hiroshima takes about 90mins. A coach then takes you to Hiroshima station in 45mins.