- Overview
- Main Transport Options
- Tickets & Passes (2025)
- Popular Routes & Typical Travel Times
- Why Locals & Tourists Use Streetcars (Hiroden)
- Planning a Visit to Miyajima: Streetcar + Ferry + JR (or Hiroden)
- Other Transport: JR Lines & Astram Line
- Tips for Tourists — How to Get Max Value
- Summary: Which Option for Which Traveler Type
- Final Thoughts
Overview
Hiroshima blends powerful history with a modern urban vibe, and its public transport network makes it easy to explore both the city and the nearby island of Miyajima. With streetcars, regional JR lines, a monorail, and a ferry connection, you can reach top sights like the Peace Memorial Park, downtown shopping districts, or the iconic Itsukushima Shrine smoothly and affordably. This 2025 guide explains your best transport options — and how to get around efficiently using passes or single tickets.
Main Transport Options
| Mode | Coverage / Area Served | Key Lines / Services |
|---|---|---|
| Streetcars (Hiroden) | Most of central Hiroshima City, tourist districts, citywide | 8 streetcar lines operated by Hiroshima Electric Railway (Hiroden) |
| Regional JR West Lines | Greater Hiroshima area, suburbs, and connections beyond city | Sanyō Line, Kure Line, connections toward Miyajima-guchi (JR + ferry) |
| Monorail (Astram Line) | North–south corridor within greater Hiroshima suburbs / residential zones | Astram Line (22 stations) — useful for outer-city commutes/residential access |
| Ferry to Miyajima | Bay area / island access | Ferry services (e.g. Matsudai Kisen) from Miyajima-guchi to Miyajima Island |
Tickets & Passes (2025)
| Ticket / Pass Type | Price (Adult) | Validity / Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Streetcar Ride (Hiroden) | ¥240 | Single ride within city | Flat fare for standard streetcar trips. |
| 1-Day Streetcar Pass | ¥700 | Unlimited streetcar rides for one day | Good for multiple trips around city. |
| 1-Day Streetcar + Ferry Pass | ¥1,000 | Unlimited streetcar + round-trip ferry to Miyajima (one day) | Ideal for day-trips combining city + Miyajima. Ferry and tram included. |
| IC Card (e.g. ICOCA, PASPY, etc.) | Pay-as-you-go | Streetcar, bus, some local services | Convenient for mixed transport without handling cash each ride. |
| Extended / Multi-Day Tourist Pass (e.g. Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass) | ¥1,000 (1-day), ¥1,500 (2-day), ¥2,000 (3-day) | Unlimited streetcars, certain ferries, and eligible buses/trams for duration | Good for short multi-day stays covering Hiroshima & Miyajima. |
Note: The regular single-ride fare (¥240) is a flat fare for most of the city streetcar network.
Popular Routes & Typical Travel Times
| Route | Recommended Mode | Approx. Time / Cost (Adult) |
|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima Station → Peace Memorial Park (Atomic Bomb Dome / Peace Memorial Museum) | Streetcar (Hiroden) | 20 minutes, ¥240 |
| Hiroshima Station → Miyajima-guchi (gateway to Miyajima) | JR Sanyō Line → Ferry | 26 min train + 10 min ferry, ¥420 + ferry fare; or 1-Day Pass covering both tram + ferry if using Hiroden & ferry pass. |
| Around central city (multiple stops, sightseeing) | Streetcar (with 1-Day Pass) | Flexible, unlimited rides for ¥700 (day pass) |
Why Locals & Tourists Use Streetcars (Hiroden)
- The streetcar network covers virtually all major tourist districts, downtown areas, and connects important hubs (stations, shopping, heritage sites). The fare system is simple: a flat fare or unlimited-ride pass.
- Payment is easy with cash or IC cards such as ICOCA / PASPY. For IC card users, you tap when getting off.
- For convenience, especially if you plan multiple rides — or if combining city and ferry travel to Miyajima — the 1-Day Streetcar + Ferry Pass (¥1,000) is often the best value.
- For flexible travel over several days, the multi-day “Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass” offers wide coverage (streetcar, buses, ferry) and can be more cost-effective if you plan frequent travel.
Planning a Visit to Miyajima: Streetcar + Ferry + JR (or Hiroden)
- From Hiroshima Station (or downtown) — take a Hiroden streetcar or local transport to a transfer point, or directly use JR Sanyō Line to Miyajima-guchi.
- At Miyajima-guchi — board the ferry (e.g. operated by Matsudai Kisen) to Miyajima Island. If you have the one-day “Streetcar + Ferry Pass” or Tourist Pass, the ferry cost is included.
- Return the same way. The pass covers both directions if used on the same date.
This makes a day-trip to Miyajima extremely straightforward and often more economical than buying separate tickets for tram, train, and ferry.
Other Transport: JR Lines & Astram Line
- For suburban areas or destinations outside central Hiroshima, JR West lines (e.g. Sanyō Line, Kure Line) connect the city to surrounding towns and Hiroshima Prefecture’s wider region. These are useful for day trips outside the city, but not always ideal for inner-city sightseeing.
- The Astram Line (monorail) serves a north–south corridor connecting suburban/residential areas with central zones. This can be handy if your accommodation or destination lies outside the streetcar network, or you need to reach parts of the city not covered by Hiroden.
- However — notably — the standard streetcar/ferry passes (like the 1-Day Pass or Tourist Pass) do not cover JR trains or most monorail rides. When using those services, you’ll usually pay separate fare or use a recharge-able IC card.
Tips for Tourists — How to Get Max Value
- Buy a 1-Day Pass if you plan multiple rides (sightseeing, shopping, movement around city) — better value than paying single-ride fares every time.
- If planning a day-trip to Miyajima, opt for the 1-Day Streetcar + Ferry Pass (¥1,000) — it bundles tram + ferry and saves hassle of separate tickets.
- For 2–3 day stays with lots of moving around (city + ferry + bus) — a multi-day Tourist Pass can be smart.
- Use IC cards (ICOCA / PASPY / etc.) if you prefer flexibility, top-up convenience, or only occasional rides.
- Note what’s included: Streetcar & Ferry/Bus in Hiroshima are covered by passes — but JR trains and monorail are usually excluded. Plan accordingly if you’ll use those.
- Check ferry schedule in advance — ferry rides to Miyajima may run on a timetable; arrive early especially if visiting on a busy day.
Summary: Which Option for Which Traveler Type
| Traveler Type / Plan | Recommended Transport / Pass |
|---|---|
| Short city stay (1 day), sightseeing only | 1-Day Streetcar Pass (¥700) — good value and easy to use. |
| City stay + day-trip to Miyajima | 1-Day Streetcar + Ferry Pass (¥1,000) — tram + ferry included. |
| 2–3 day visit with sightseeing + ferry + bus | Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass (multi-day) — all-in-one convenience. |
| Staying in suburb / off-city, using JR or Astram | Use IC card or pay single fare for JR / Astram; pass may not cover. |
| Light user, occasional trips | IC card recharge — flexible and convenient. |
Final Thoughts
Hiroshima offers a transport system that is tourist-friendly, simple, and efficient — perfect for first-time visitors who want easy access to historical sites, city vibes, and quick day-trips to scenic islands like Miyajima.
For most travelers staying inside the city or combining city + island sightseeing, the streetcar + ferry network, combined with a pass (1-day or multi-day) offers unbeatable convenience and value.
If you plan to explore surrounding areas, use JR or monorail, or have a longer stay — mixing passes, IC cards, and occasional JR tickets might be the best strategy.
With a little planning, you can travel smart, save money, and enjoy the best of Hiroshima without hassle.
