Hiroshima Transportation Guide: Everything You Need to Get Around Hiroshima Smoothly and Save Money

The streetcar, affectionately known as “Hiroden,” is one of Hiroshima’s iconic modes of transportation.
Starting from Hiroshima Station, it runs widely from the city center to Hiroshima Port, Nishi-Hiroshima, Eba, Yokogawa, and more, making it a key way to get around for sightseeing.
It also pulls into the second floor of minamoa, the commercial complex in the new station building directly connected to the south side of Hiroshima Station, making transfers to JR smooth.
Some lines go directly to Miyajimaguchi, so it’s convenient not only within the city but also for visiting Miyajima.
The flat fare is relatively affordable at 240 yen for adults and 120 yen for children, and if you use the one-day pass mentioned later, you can keep costs down while sightseeing.
Service is frequent at about once every 10 minutes, with first departures in the 6am hour and last departures in the 10pm–11pm hour, so it’s nice not having to worry too much about timetables or waiting times.
It also offers excellent access to major sights, including the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park, without transfers.

The Astram Line is a new transit system in Hiroshima (a monorail-like railway), an elevated line that runs on rubber tires.
It uses an Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) system powered by electricity, known for smooth, low-noise rides.
It connects 22 stations over 18.4 km, from Hondori Station in Naka Ward to Koiki-Koen-mae Station in Asaminami Ward, with transfers to JR lines available at Shin-Hakushima Station and Omachi Station.
It’s especially convenient for getting from central Hiroshima to the northwest (Asaminami Ward and the Seifu Shinto area).
Because there’s basically no traffic congestion or waiting at traffic lights, it’s easier to stay on schedule compared to other transportation options, and you can reach your destination smoothly.
Along the line are sights such as Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine and the Numaji Transportation Museum, so there’s plenty to see as well.

JR Hiroshima Station is served by five lines: the Sanyo Main Line, the Kure Line, the Geibi Line, the Kabe Line, and the Sanyo Shinkansen.
It provides access to areas throughout the city (Naka, Nishi, Minami, Higashi, Asaminami, Asakita, Aki, and Saeki wards).
That said, it’s more commonly used for traveling outside the city or to farther destinations from Hiroshima Station, and it’s not often the first choice for getting around within the city for sightseeing.
For example, it’s useful for areas that are harder (and slower) to reach by Hiroden, such as Miyajimaguchi, Kure, Onomichi, and Fukuyama, as well as when traveling to other regions by Shinkansen or plane.
By the way, there are also sights within walking distance of Hiroshima Station, such as Hiroshima Toshogu Shrine and MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima.

Hiroshima’s local buses run from central areas such as Hiroshima Station, Kamiyacho, and Hatchobori to suburban sightseeing spots.
With multiple routes and broad coverage, they’re often used when going to attractions not served by the streetcar or JR lines.
Popular sightseeing spots accessible by local bus include Mitaki-dera Temple and the Hiroshima Hondori Shopping Street.
Below is a list of major bus operators and their destinations—use it as a reference.

The Hiroshima City Loop Bus “Meipuru-pu” is a loop bus for travelers that circles major sightseeing spots in the city, starting from the Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit.
With its retro red or green design, it’s easy to spot.
Routes are divided into three lines—Orange, Green, and Lemon—and all of them pass by “Genbaku Dome-mae” and “Peace Park-mae (Peace Memorial Park).”
It also reaches most of Hiroshima’s best-known attractions, including Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, and onboard free Wi-Fi is available.
It’s a convenient option if you want to see the highlights efficiently in one day, or if it’s your first time in Hiroshima.
A single ride costs 240 yen for adults and 120 yen for children, but it’s recommended to buy the better-value 1-day pass (600 yen for adults / 300 yen for children).

Here’s how to get from Hiroshima Airport to JR Hiroshima Station, a main sightseeing hub, and the Hiroshima Bus Center, located in the city’s central area.
Since there are no train services to the airport, you’ll travel by bus, and buses run 2–3 times per hour until after 9pm.
The area around the Hiroshima Bus Center has many attractions—such as Hiroshima Castle, the Hiroshima Museum of Art, and Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine—so it’s convenient if you’re heading there directly from the airport.

Here’s how to get from Hiroshima Airport to Kure (Kure Station).
By taking the limousine bus, you can get there directly with no transfers.
With nine services per day, it’s not too infrequent, so it should be easy to use.

Here’s how to get from Hiroshima Airport to Fukuyama (Fukuyama Station).
There’s also a direct limousine bus, but it runs only six times per day, and if you miss one, you’ll have to wait nearly three hours for the next departure.
So if you’re heading to Fukuyama, it’s recommended to check your flight schedule and the bus timetable in advance and adjust your plans accordingly.
Other options include a taxi (Approx. 1 hour / Approx. 17,000 yen), or taking a Chugoku Bus from the airport to Mihara Station and transferring to the JR Sanyo Line (Approx. 1 hr 45 min).

Here’s how to get from Hiroshima Airport to Onomichi (Onomichi Station).
Unlike other destinations, you’ll need to transfer to trains, making it a bit less convenient. Buses from the airport run only four times a day (10:30am, 11:45am, 3:10pm, and 8:10pm).

If you can’t catch a bus at those times, consider the reservation-only shared taxi “Onomichi Airport Liner.”
You can choose from four drop-off locations, including Onomichi Station, Shin-Onomichi Station, and select hotels, and travel comfortably from the airport to your destination in as little as 60 minutes.
However, the downside is the high fare of 4,000 yen per person and the limited schedule of just six services (9:00am, 10:00am, 12:20pm, 3:35pm, 4:50pm, and 8:30pm).