An old band mate of mine is in Hiroshima now
A bassist from an old band of mine is now living in Hiroshima. As I wrote in Why You Can't Find a Bassist When Recruiting and Solutions, I've been searching for a bass player for a long time. Learning that a former bandmate is living far away in Hiroshima makes me realize how mysterious the bonds of music are.
Hiroshima is a musical city that has produced Tamio Okuda, Koji Yoshikawa, and Perfume. As the largest city in the Chugoku region, it has its own distinctive music scene, with live houses concentrated in the downtown areas of Hondori, Nagawa, and Hatchobori. While the scene is smaller than Tokyo or Osaka, band musicians are physically closer to each other, and once you start attending live houses regularly, you'll quickly become acquainted with local faces.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to finding band members in Hiroshima, along with information about live houses and practice studios organized by area. Combined with our area-by-area guides for Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, you'll have a complete understanding of Hiroshima's music scene.
5 Ways to Find Band Members in Hiroshima
First, let's organize the specific methods for finding band members in Hiroshima.
1. Use member recruitment websites and apps
This is the easiest and most efficient method. With Membo, you can filter and view band member recruitment posts by Hiroshima Prefecture or Hiroshima City. You can specify by genre, instrument, and age group, so you can search pinpoint, like "Hiroshima × Rock × Guitar wanted."
As mentioned in Common Traits of People Who Can't Find Band Members, "searching only locally" limits your options. Since Hiroshima is a central city in the Chugoku region, you can definitely collaborate with members from Okayama and Yamaguchi. It's only 40 minutes to Okayama by Shinkansen and 1 hour to Fukuoka. Think broadly.
2. Attend live houses regularly
Hiroshima's live houses are concentrated in the downtown areas of Hondori, Nagawa, and Hatchobori. Once you understand how to perform at a live house, start by attending shows in genres that interest you. Since Hiroshima's scene is smaller than Tokyo's, after attending a few times, you'll become acquainted with staff and performers. After a show, if you mention you're looking for members, introductions often follow.
3. Participate in jam sessions and open mics
There are jazz and blues session bars in Hiroshima. As I wrote in Complete Guide for Beginners to Join a Band, jam sessions are places where you instantly know "I want to play with this person." If you bring an instrument, you might find bandmates on the spot.
4. Use practice studio bulletin boards and communities
Practice studios in Hiroshima have member recruitment bulletin boards in their lobbies. If you use the same studio as other musicians, you won't have conflicts over practice space. Checking the studio's SNS and websites for recruitment information is also effective.
5. Take advantage of music store events and bulletin boards
Music stores in Hiroshima typically have member recruitment bulletin boards. In addition to chain stores like Shimamura Musical Instruments and Ishibashi Musical Instruments, local music stores are also worth checking. As discussed in The Reality of Money in Band Activities, make a habit of checking bulletin boards while shopping for gear.
Hondori and Hatchobori Areas — The Heart of Hiroshima's Music Scene
The area from Hondori shopping street to Hatchobori is Hiroshima's commercial and cultural center. Live houses are concentrated in this area, and you can hop between multiple venues on foot, which is Hiroshima's strength.
CLUB QUATTRO Hiroshima
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 700 standing |
| Genres | Rock, pop, hip-hop, all genres |
| Location | 10F, Hiroshima Parco, 1-1-26 Otemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Access | 3-minute walk from Hatchobori streetcar stop / 5-minute walk from Kamiyacho-nishi streetcar stop |
| Official Website | club-quattro.com/hiroshima |
Hiroshima's largest live house. The Hiroshima branch of the CLUB QUATTRO group, which operates alongside locations in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, is located on the 10th floor of Parco. With a capacity of 700, it's Hiroshima's premier venue, and national tours often feature Chugoku region shows here. From indie to major artists perform here, and it's the face of Hiroshima's music scene. Many local bands aim to perform here.
Hiroshima Cave-Be
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 250 |
| Genres | Rock, pop, punk, all genres |
| Location | 10-21 Mikawa-cho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Access | 5-minute walk from Hatchobori streetcar stop |
| Official Website | cave-be.jp |
An established live house that has continuously supported Hiroshima's indie music scene. A gateway venue for local bands, hosting both up-and-coming and veteran acts. The 250-person capacity creates intimate distance between performers and audience, naturally fostering interaction after shows. If you're looking for band members in Hiroshima, I recommend checking out several shows here first to get a feel for the scene.
Namiki Junction
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 200 |
| Genres | Rock, pop, punk, alternative |
| Location | B1F, Ueda Building, 1-4-14 Otemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Access | 3-minute walk from Kamiyacho-nishi streetcar stop |
| Official Website | namikijunction.com |
An underground live house in Hiroshima's Namiki-dori area. It continues to deliver bold, edgy music centered on rock, punk, and alternative. A place where local indie bands develop, enjoying strong support from Hiroshima's young musicians. Active in booking events with multiple bands, connections formed between performing bands often lead to finding members.
SECOND CRUTCH
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 150 |
| Genres | Rock, hardcore, punk, metal |
| Location | 2F, 7-7 Mikawa-cho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Access | 5-minute walk from Hatchobori streetcar stop |
| Official Website | secondcrutch.com |
A live house leading Hiroshima's loud music scene. Hardcore, punk, and metal-focused, attracting bands pursuing intense music. The 150-person capacity creates an ideal, concentrated atmosphere. If you're looking for loud music members, this is the shortcut.
Nagawa Area — Hiroshima's Nighttime Music District
Nagawa is Hiroshima's largest entertainment district, densely packed with restaurants and bars. Live houses and live bars are scattered throughout, and it's the heart of Hiroshima's band culture where shows naturally flow into after-parties.
Hiroshima Back Beat
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 100 |
| Genres | Rock, blues, R&B, soul |
| Location | Nagawa-cho, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Access | 8-minute walk from Hatchobori streetcar stop |
| Official Website | backbeat-hiroshima.com |
A live house in the Nagawa area primarily featuring rock, blues, R&B, and soul. With an intimate 100-person capacity, the distance between performer and audience is close. A place where blues and soul enthusiasts gather. As discussed in How to Start a Cover Band, the spirit of "starting with covers" might lead you to form a cover band of your favorite artists.
Live Juke
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 150 |
| Genres | Rock, pop, acoustic, all genres |
| Location | Yakkendobori, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Access | 7-minute walk from Hatchobori streetcar stop |
| Official Website | livejuke.jp |
A live house in the Yakkendobori area. Accommodating all genres, from band sounds to acoustic. The booking consultation is easy, with a low barrier for first-time performers.
OTIS!
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 80 |
| Genres | Rock, blues, funk, soul |
| Location | Yakkendobori, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Access | 8-minute walk from Hatchobori streetcar stop |
| Official Website | otis-hiroshima.com |
A live bar in Hiroshima's Yakkendobori area. Centered on black music including blues, funk, and soul, with jam sessions also hosted. The small 80-person capacity enables dense networking between performers. If you love roots music, the compatibility with people you meet here is guaranteed.
Worganza
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 60 |
| Genres | Folk, acoustic, experimental music, genre-less |
| Location | 1-4-32 Toka-ichimachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Access | 3-minute walk from Toka-ichimachi streetcar stop |
| Official Website | worganza.com |
A unique event space in Toka-ichimachi created by renovating a traditional building. Folk, acoustic, experimental music, theater, film screenings — a platform for expression beyond genres with its own distinctive presence. Band sound is not the only music. Collaborations with artists you meet in such spaces might expand your musical horizons.
Practice Studios — Hiroshima's Studio Situation
Practice studios are essential to band activities. Hiroshima has fewer chain studio options but is well-supplied with locally-rooted studios. Keep the fundamentals discussed in How to Choose a Practice Studio in mind while checking Hiroshima's studio information.
Studio ASP
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price Reference | Band practice: 1 hour approx. ¥1,500~ |
| Location | Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Access | Walking distance from Hatchobori streetcar stop |
A rehearsal studio in Naka Ward. The appeal is easy access from the Hatchobori area with concentrated live houses, allowing you to head directly to shows after practice.
Sound Studio V
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price Reference | Band practice: 1 hour approx. ¥1,600~ |
| Location | Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Access | Central Hiroshima |
A studio capable of recording as well. Beyond just band practice, it can be utilized for demo recordings and pre-production.
Hiroshima vs. Other Cities: Studio Pricing Comparison
| Item | Hiroshima | Osaka | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band practice (2 hours) | Approx. ¥3,000–5,000 | Approx. ¥3,500–6,000 | Approx. ¥4,000–8,000 |
| Individual practice (1 hour) | Approx. ¥500–900 | Approx. ¥600–1,000 | Approx. ¥800–1,200 |
| Late-night package (5 hours) | Approx. ¥4,500–7,000 | Approx. ¥6,000–9,000 | Approx. ¥8,000–12,000 |
As introduced in The Reality of Money in Band Activities, studio rental is the largest fixed cost in band work. Hiroshima tends to be 30–40% cheaper than Tokyo. If your band practices twice a month for 2 hours each, the per-member monthly burden is quite light when split four ways. Redirect savings to instrument investment by part — that's the smart approach.
Jam Sessions — Places to Meet Music Friends in Hiroshima
Live bars and jazz spots in Hiroshima host jam sessions.
Jive
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Genres | Jazz, blues, funk |
| Location | Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Access | Walking distance from Hatchobori streetcar stop |
A jazz spot in Hiroshima that regularly hosts jam sessions. Centered on jazz and blues, skilled players gather. Even if you're looking for rock band members, the chemistry you find with a jazz-trained player might spark new music.
OTIS! Session Nights
OTIS!, mentioned earlier, occasionally hosts session events. Centered on blues, funk, and soul with drop-in participation available by bringing your instrument. In this small 80-person venue, naturally "want to start a band?" conversations happen after sessions.
You can find Hiroshima session information through store SNS or @jazz's session information page. Check regularly, and if a session interests you, bring your instrument and jump in.
Famous Bands and Artists from or Connected to Hiroshima
Hiroshima has produced many artists who represent Japan's music scene. Understanding what music this city has created is important.
- Tamio Okuda — From Hiroshima City. Achieved breakthrough success as vocalist of Unicorn, and as a solo artist created numerous hit songs like "Sasurai" and "Easy Rider." An emblematic figure of Hiroshima's music scene. His laid-back style embodies Hiroshima's spirit
- Koji Yoshikawa — From Hiroshima City. Debuted with single "Monica" in 1984. Known for large-scale performances transcending rock and pop boundaries. Also established an era with Tomoyasu Hotei in "COMPLEX"
- Perfume — All three members from Hiroshima Prefecture. Graduates of Actors School Hiroshima (ASH), they gained nationwide success after starting in their hometown. Recognized globally as innovators of techno-pop
- Pornograffiti — From Innoshima, Hiroshima Prefecture (now Onomichi City). Multiple hit songs including "Ageha Butterfly" and "Saudade." Representative of bands that took off from Seto Inland Sea islands nationwide
- Koushoku Seira — From Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Debuted with "Seira Koushoku & Twist" in 1977. Songs like "Your Ballad" and "Burn, Good Woman" are rock-ballad classics. A pioneer bringing rock from Hiroshima nationwide
- Eikichi Yazawa — From Hiroshima City. Debuted as member of Carol in 1972; as a solo artist holds numerous hit songs including "Time, Stand Still." The king of Japanese rock and roll, still performing. Japan's greatest rock star from Hiroshima
Like Eikichi Yazawa moving from Hiroshima to Tokyo to form Carol, Tamio Okuda dominating nationally with Unicorn, and Perfume expanding globally, Hiroshima has proven "from the provinces to the nation" possible. As mentioned in How Foreigners Find Band Members in Japan, each region of Japan has its own musical culture. Hiroshima still has players with the hungry drive to "climb up from nothing" like Eikichi Yazawa.
Overall Cost Picture of Hiroshima Band Activities
| Expense | Monthly Budget | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio practice | ¥3,000–8,000 | 4 times/month × 2 hours, split among members |
| Live performances | ¥0–15,000 | Varies with ticket quota system; quota-free events exist |
| Transportation | ¥1,000–4,000 | Cheap if contained within city via tram/bus. Shinkansen from Okayama/Yamaguchi |
| Strings and consumables | ¥1,000–3,000 | Guitar string changes 1–2 times monthly |
| Session participation | ¥0–3,000 | Live bar session events, etc. |
| Total | ¥5,000–33,000 | 30–40% cheaper than Tokyo |
Band activities in Hiroshima cost significantly less due to cheaper studio rates and lower live performance fees compared to Tokyo or Osaka. The studio cost difference alone can be several thousand yen monthly. Keeping activities within Hiroshima also reduces transportation costs. Using a day pass on the tram (¥700) makes moving between studios and live houses efficient.
Conclusion — Hiroshima's Music: "Closeness" as a Weapon
Learning that my former bandmate bassist lives in Hiroshima made me think: good music doesn't come only from Tokyo. A city like Hiroshima has something Tokyo lacks: "closeness."
From CLUB QUATTRO Hiroshima's 700-person capacity to the small 80-seat OTIS!, while Hiroshima's venues are smaller than Tokyo's, band musicians become acquainted with each other much faster than in Tokyo. Attend a few live shows, and venue staff will remember your name. You'll form networks with performing bands, and naturally, information like "that band is looking for a drummer" reaches your ears.
Eikichi Yazawa, Tamio Okuda, and Perfume all started from this city. As they proved, music from Hiroshima that reaches the nation continues to be born.
Start by checking Membo for Hiroshima member recruitment. Then head to a live house in Hatchobori or Nagawa on a weekend. The "closeness" of Hiroshima's music scene will accelerate your band activities.
