Hiroshima Transportation Guide

Hiroshima City ranked 11th in Japan as of 2016 and have two UNESCO world heritage sites. The A-Bomb Dome 原爆ドーム in Hiroshima city center and Itsukushima Shrine 厳島神社 in Miyajima Island 宮島. Hiroshima prefecture is also home of Mazda Motor Corp, the world’s largest battleship Yamato 大和, Carp Baseball Team, Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki お好み焼き, Momiji manju もみじ饅頭, Kendama 剣玉, Japan leading sake brewing town Saijo 西条, lastly the largest oyster producer and one of the best place to taste fresh grilled oyster 焼き牡蠣 in Japan.

The most convenience way to get to Hiroshima city is either by Flight or Shinkansen Train. Hiroshima International Airport 広島空港 have regular direct international flight from Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, as well as domestic flight from Tokyo (Haneda and Narita), Sapporo, Sendai and Okinawa. The Hiroshima International Airport is located about 50 km away from Hiroshima City and the only public transport available are bus and taxi. The most economical way to get to Hiroshima city is by the Airport Limousine Bus to Hiroshima Bus Center in an approximately 50 mins ride with a one-way fare of 1340 yen or return fare (valid for 1 week) of 2420 yen. The bus come in the interval of 10 mins, 15 mins, 30 mins and 60 mins depends on the hours from 08:35 to 21:20 at platform 1. Please check the bus time table before the time of your travel. 

Hiroshima Bus Center 広島バスセンタis the central bus hub operate by various bus operators that connect to the rest of Hiroshima prefecture. It is conveniently located in the city center just in front of Kamiyacho-Nishi 紙屋町西 streetcar station. It is within 500 meter radius walking distance to A-Bomb Dome 原爆ドーム, Peace Memorial Park 平和記念公園, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum 広島平和記念資料館, Hiroshima Castle 広島城, Okonomimura お好み村, Kamiyacho Shareo underground shopping street 紙屋町シャレオ地下街, Hatchobori ハ丁堀 and Hondori 本通りshopping street. The Airport Limousine Bus to Hiroshima International Airport come in the interval of 10 mins, 30 mins, 45 mins and 60 mins depends on the hours from 05:55 to 19:05 at Platform 2. Please check the bus time table before the time of your travel. 

Hiroshima Station 広島駅is the central train gateway operates by JR West including the Sanyo Shinkansen line that connects to the rest of Hiroshima prefecture and Japan cities. The Hiroden streetcar station for line 1, 2, 5 and 6 is also located at the south exit of Hiroshima Station.

Hiroshima streetcar is the most common transportation in Hiroshima city. The fare is 160 yen flat per ride within Hiroshima city inner city line. Just hop on to any streetcar that leads to your desire destination and pay the fare when get off the streetcar. Make sure you have the exact change of 160 yen. If not you can prepare the change at the change machine inside the streetcar before get off. Or you can use PASPY or JR West ICOCA card. Please be noted that others IC card outside Hiroshima prefecture such as SUICA, PASMO cannot be used. The highest fare of the streetcar ride is 260 yen to Hiroden Miyajima-guchi the last station of Miyajima line where you can take ferry cross to the Miyajima Island. The first streetcar is around 6am and last street car is around 11pm depends on which line.

Hiroshima Tourist Pass, there are various economy tourist pass listed below which I highly recommended during your visit to Hiroshima

1-day unlimited ride streetcar pass cost 600 yen

1-day unlimited ride streetcar and Miyajima (Matsudai Kisen ferry only) pass cost 840 yen

3-days Small Area unlimited ride streetcar, Miyajima ferry cost 1000 yen.

3-days Wide Area unlimited ride streetcar, Miyajima ferry and all routes bus to major cities in Hiroshima Prefecture cost 3000 yen.

5-days Small Area unlimited ride streetcar, Miyajima ferry, bus to Kure Area and Airport Limousine Bus cost 4000 yen.

5-days Wide Area unlimited ride streetcar, Miyajima ferry, Airport Limousine Bus and all routes bus to major cities in Hiroshima Prefecture cost 6000 yen.

There are four locations you can purchase the 3-days and 5-days pass. There are Hiroshima International Airport 広島空港, Hiroshima Bus Center 広島バスセンタ, Hiroshima Station 広島駅 and Miyajimaguchi 宮島口. The 1-day pass can only be purchased at Hiroshima Station Streetcar Information Desk.