Should I stay in Hiroshima or Fukuoka

Hello everyone,

I am planning to do a trip from Osaka to Hiroshima and Miyajima as well as Fukuoka to watch the sumo. Question is, I probably need to stay overnight somewhere to fit all that in, and as a tourist, where should I stay? Hiroshima or Fukuoka? I am a lover of food and exploring so any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hiroshima is closer to Fukuoka. And you have something else to see in Fukuoka. Fukuoka seems the logical choice to me.

Go to the Yatai stalls along the canal for awesome cheap food.

You will probably be going to Miyajima and Hiroshima's peace park during the day. The sumo could be in the evening. In addition, as Hakata14 has said, there are Yatai stalls in Fukuoka.

I would stay in the place that would have more evening activities, so that I would have a shorter distance to travel back to the hotel.

Hakata station in Fukuoka is also a hub. It is the connection point between JR West and JR Kyushu. There are a lot of trains originating from there. For this reason, a hotel near Hakata station is a great base for visiting places. If you have a JR Pass, then Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Beppu, Hiroshima, and Kumamoto are all less than two hours away.

The more sights you can see during the daylight hours, the better.
Travel in the evening or night to maximize your sightseeing.

For Miyajima, most stampede over to the Itsukushima Shrine, but don't miss the Daishoin Temple as well - in many ways it is more varied and beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-iCNZ6AdsKGUB-HPKNxP1...

I too think Fukuoka would be a good choice. As far as food goes, both Osaka and Hiroshima offer okonomiyaki, and IMHO it's better without the cabbage as done in Hiroshima anyway - so for something new, try the tonkotsu ramen in Fukuoka. There are many ramen stalls (yatai) along the Naka River in Nakasu:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1m8h0q3o0s

The mentaiko (spiced cod roe) is also famous. Take some time and see the Nanzoin Temple as well - it is one of Japan's finest and virtually unknown to all the tourist guidebook "experts".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT4VQFmHFyM

There is a lot more to see and do as well:
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/fukpic.html
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-j4RLa6iC7ayvBAbOn8-0...

I second Ken's opinion of Hiroshima Okonomiyaki over Osaka. Though my reason is more on the sauce.

Fukuoka is the ideal place to stay as the area around the station is filled with hotels. Saw at least. Had probably eight or more.

Hiroshima hotels are a bit further from the stations though the inter-city trams are extremely convenient and frequent. Unless staying in Miyajima, Fukuoka would be the ideal choice.

Foodwise Fukuoka has Ramen and Hiroshima has okonomiyaki. Of the two, I would say I would rather eat Hiroshima's Okonomiyaki. It really is great. You can eat Fukuoka Ramen in practically any major city in Japan. (There are Ichiran and Tenpaippin in Osaka/Kyoto) You would be missing out in the Yatai stores of Fukuoka, though a unique experience the food isn't that much more impressive as compared to Hiroshima's Okonomiyaki. Note: Personal taste applies.