Arts

Japan has a vibrant and diverse music culture and has provided the world with top-selling exports over the years such as Yellow Magic Orchestra and Babymetal. Tokyo and Osaka are the two cities with the most developed music scenes but there are many other cities with a simmering underground of bands and artists, some of whom have achieved national and international success. Hiroshima is one such city. Its handful of quality music venues have thrown up acts from pop to jazz. If you’re living in the prefecture and fancy getting a handle on some of the local talent, here’s where to start. Punk It may not be that well-known outside of the city, but Hiroshima is a hotbed of punk music. We’re talking punk of the sweaty old-skool hardcore type with multicolour mohicans and studded leather jackets. Perhaps unsurprising that a city with such a tragic history should produce music known for its anger and energy. One of the best venues for this style of music is Club Quattro in the downtown area. Origin of M is one of the pioneers of the Hiroshima punk movement. Formed in 2002, they kickstarted an anti-war, anti-nuclear weapons scene and organise annual gigs…