Hiroshima is compact, flat, and easy to navigate, anchored by its beloved streetcar network. Here is the simple version that works for almost every visitor.
Getting Around Hiroshima
Get an IC card first
Buy a rechargeable IC card (ICOCA or Suica) when you arrive, or add one to your phone's wallet. It works as tap-to-pay on the streetcars, city buses, JR trains, and the Miyajima ferry, plus convenience stores, so you never fumble for change. This single step removes most of the friction of Hiroshima transit.
The streetcar (Hiroden)
Hiroshima's streetcar network, run by Hiroden, is the workhorse of city sightseeing and a charming experience in its own right, with some nostalgic vintage trams still in service. Lines link Hiroshima Station, the Peace Park, the downtown core, and the Miyajimaguchi ferry pier. Most city rides are a flat fare; board, tap your IC card, and tap again as you exit.
JR trains
JR lines serve the same routes faster over longer distances, and the JR Sanyo Line is the quickest way to Miyajimaguchi for the ferry. The Sanyo Shinkansen connects Hiroshima Station to Osaka, Kyoto, and Fukuoka, making the city an easy stop on a wider Japan itinerary.
The Miyajima ferry
Two ferries cross from Miyajimaguchi to the island in about ten minutes: the JR ferry (covered by IC card and JR passes) and the Matsudai ferry. At high tide the JR ferry detours closer to the floating torii for a better view. Ferries run frequently throughout the day and into the evening.
Walking and taxis
The center is famously flat and very walkable: the Peace Park, downtown Hondori, the castle, and Shukkeien Garden are all within easy strolling distance of one another. Taxis are clean and metered, handy at night or with luggage, but you will rarely need them in the center.
When to just walk
Within the central triangle of the Peace Park, downtown, and the castle-garden quarter, walking is usually the best option, the distances are short and the riverside is pleasant. Save the streetcar and trains for reaching the station and the Miyajima ferry.
FAQ
- Do I need a Japan Rail Pass for Hiroshima?
- Not for getting around the city. A JR Pass only pays off for long-distance Shinkansen travel between cities. Within Hiroshima, an IC card on the streetcar plus the short ferry to Miyajima is cheaper and simpler.
- What is the Hiroden streetcar?
- Hiroden is Hiroshima's historic streetcar (tram) network, the main way to get around the city. It links the station, the Peace Park, downtown, and the Miyajima ferry pier, and includes some vintage trams that are a charming ride in themselves.
- How long is the ferry to Miyajima?
- About ten minutes from Miyajimaguchi. Two operators run frequently throughout the day; the JR ferry is covered by IC cards and JR passes and swings closer to the floating torii at high tide.
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