How to Get Around Hiroshima: A Complete Guide to Local Transport

Hiroshima is one of Japan’s most visited cities in 2026, and the surge in international tourism since 2024 has created real pressure on its transport network — especially around Peace Memorial Park on weekends and during Golden Week. The good news: Hiroshima’s public transport is genuinely easy to navigate once you understand how the pieces fit together. This guide covers every realistic option for moving around the city, so you spend less time figuring out connections and more time actually there.

Hiroshima’s Tram Network (Hiroden) — The Backbone of the City

The Hiroshima Electric Railway, locally called Hiroden, runs one of Japan’s largest surviving streetcar networks. Eight lines criss-cross the city, and for most visitors, trams will be the primary way to get around. The network connects Hiroshima Station on the east side with the Peace Memorial Park area, Hondori shopping street, and the ferry pier at Ujina in the south.

Key lines for tourists:

• Line 2 and Line 6 — run from Hiroshima Station through the city centre toward Miyajima-guchi (for the Miyajima ferry)
• Line 1 — connects the station with Peace Memorial Park and Nishi-Hiroshima
• Line 5 — useful for reaching the Ujina port area

The standard adult fare is a flat ¥220 per ride within the city zone (as of 2026). You board at the front, pay as you exit, or tap your IC card at the reader. Children aged 6–11 pay half price. The trams run from around 5:30 a.m. to just past midnight, with frequency dropping after 9 p.m. on quieter lines.

IC cards — ICOCA, Suica, or Pasmo — all work on Hiroden trams in 2026. This is the fastest, most hassle-free way to pay, and it avoids fumbling for exact change.

The Hiroshima Tourist Pass and Day Ticket Options

If you’re spending a full day or more in the city and planning to visit Miyajima, a day pass will almost certainly save you money over paying per ride.

The Hiroshima Tourist Pass (updated for 2026) comes in two versions:

• City Area Pass — covers unlimited Hiroden trams and city buses for one day: ¥700
• Wide Area Pass (including Miyajima) — covers trams, city buses, and the JR Miyajima ferry for one day: ¥2,000

The Wide Area Pass is particularly strong value. The Miyajima ferry alone costs ¥200 each way (plus the ¥300 island entrance fee introduced in 2024, which is still in place in 2026 and paid separately), so combining that with a full day of tram travel makes the math work quickly.

Passes are sold at the JR Hiroshima Station tourist information counter, the Hiroshima Tourist Information booth near the tram stop outside the station, and via the Visit Hiroshima app. Japan Rail Pass holders should note: the JR Pass covers the JR Miyajima ferry (operated by JR West) but does NOT cover Hiroden trams — you’ll need a separate option for those.

Getting to Miyajima from Hiroshima

Miyajima — officially Itsukushima — is Hiroshima’s most iconic day trip, and getting the logistics right matters more than people expect.

There are two ferry operators from the mainland pier at Miyajimaguchi:

1. JR West Ferry — covered by the Japan Rail Pass and the Wide Area Tourist Pass. Runs every 15–20 minutes, journey time is 10 minutes.
2. Matsudai Kisen Ferry — a private operator, roughly the same schedule. Fare is ¥200 each way without a pass.

To reach Miyajimaguchi pier from central Hiroshima, take Hiroden Line 2 or Line 6 from Hiroshima Station — the tram runs directly to Miyajimaguchi Station, taking about 50–55 minutes. Alternatively, take the JR Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station in around 25 minutes (covered by JR Pass). The JR option is faster but drops you at the same pier.

In 2026, the ¥300 Miyajima Island Visitor Fee — introduced in late 2024 — remains in place. It’s collected via barriers at the ferry terminal on the island side. Cash, IC card, and most credit cards are accepted. This fee is separate from any transport pass.

Peak congestion at the ferry pier happens between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on weekends. Arriving before 8:30 a.m. means you’ll step off the ferry and walk through the vermilion torii gate with almost no one around — the low tide light in the morning is extraordinary, the water still, the mountains behind Itsukushima Shrine catching the first colour of the day.

Hiroshima City Buses and the Meipuru-pu Loop Bus

Trams cover most of what tourists need, but buses fill the gaps — particularly for destinations north of the city centre and some suburban areas.

The Meipuru-pu (Maple Loop) tourist bus runs a circular route connecting the major sightseeing spots: Hiroshima Station, Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden, and the Hiroshima Museum of Art. In 2026, it operates every 20–30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A one-day pass for the loop bus costs ¥400; single rides are ¥220.

The loop bus is particularly useful for reaching Shukkeien Garden — it’s a short walk from a tram stop but the Meipuru-pu drops you right at the entrance gate. Standard city buses operated by Hiroshima Bus and Chugoku JR Bus also cover wider areas, using the same IC card tap-on system as the trams.

Cycling Around Hiroshima

Hiroshima is one of Japan’s best cycling cities. The terrain is almost completely flat in the urban core, the streets are wide, and dedicated cycling lanes have expanded significantly since the city’s infrastructure upgrades in 2024–2025.

The Hiroshima Cycling Share (e-bike dockless system operated by Docomo Bike Share) has stations across the city centre, near Hiroshima Station, and along the riverside. You register via app, costs run around ¥165 per 30 minutes, with a full-day pass at ¥1,650. The e-bikes are helpful if you’re covering distance — the route from Peace Memorial Park to Hiroshima Castle to Shukkeien Garden is about 4 kilometres in total and takes under 20 minutes by bike.

Several private rental shops near Hiroshima Station also offer standard bicycles from around ¥1,000–¥1,500 per day. These suit slower, exploratory riding. Lock your bike at designated cycle parking near major attractions — the Peace Park area in particular has monitored bike parking zones added in 2025.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing in 2026

Taxis are plentiful in Hiroshima and generally reliable. The meter starts at ¥700 for the first 1.4 kilometres, then ticks up roughly ¥90 every 300 metres. A ride from Hiroshima Station to Peace Memorial Park runs about ¥1,200–¥1,500 depending on traffic. Late-night surcharges (after 10 p.m.) add around 20%.

For ride-hailing, GO (formerly MOV) is the dominant app in Hiroshima in 2026 and works with an international credit card. Uber operates in Hiroshima on a limited basis — coverage improved in 2025 but GO remains more reliable for availability and response time. DiDi pulled back from most mid-size Japanese cities in late 2024 and no longer operates meaningfully in Hiroshima.

Taxis make most sense late at night, when you’re carrying luggage, or when travelling in a group of three or four — at that point the cost per person becomes competitive with tram fares.

2026 Budget Reality: Transport Costs in Hiroshima

Here’s an honest breakdown of what daily transport costs look like, based on 2026 pricing:

• Budget — Walking and occasional tram rides, pay-per-ride IC card: ¥400–¥700 per day. Realistic if you’re basing yourself near Peace Park and not going to Miyajima.



• Mid-range — City Area Tourist Pass plus Miyajima ferry: ¥2,000–¥2,500 per day including the island entrance fee. Covers a full day with Miyajima built in.
• Comfortable — Mix of taxis, bike share, and passes, including a Miyajima trip: ¥3,500–¥5,000 per day. Suitable for those who want flexibility without watching tram schedules.

Note that the Japan Rail Pass covers your shinkansen into and out of Hiroshima and the JR Miyajima ferry, but nothing else in the city. Factor that in when calculating whether a multi-day JR Pass is worth it for your overall itinerary — Hiroshima’s local transport costs are low enough that the pass’s local benefit is minimal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Suica or Pasmo card on Hiroshima trams?

Yes. All major IC cards — Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, and others — work on Hiroden trams and Hiroshima city buses in 2026. Tap the sensor when boarding at the rear door and again at the front when exiting. Top up at convenience stores or station machines throughout the city.

Does the Japan Rail Pass cover transport inside Hiroshima city?

The JR Pass covers your shinkansen into Hiroshima and the JR Sanyo local train to Miyajimaguchi pier, plus the JR West Miyajima ferry. It does not cover Hiroden trams, the Meipuru-pu loop bus, or Matsudai Kisen ferries. You’ll need a separate IC card or day pass for those.

How long does it take to get from Hiroshima Station to Peace Memorial Park?

By tram (Line 2 or Line 6 toward Miyajima-guchi, alighting at Genbaku Dome-mae stop), it takes about 12–15 minutes. By taxi, roughly 8–10 minutes. Walking from the station is around 30–35 minutes and passes through the Hondori shopping arcade area.

Is there an entrance fee for Miyajima Island in 2026?

Yes. The ¥300 per person visitor fee introduced in late 2024 remains in place in 2026. It’s collected at the ferry terminal on the island side, separate from your ferry ticket. IC cards and most credit cards are accepted. Children under primary school age are exempt.

What is the easiest way to get from Hiroshima to the airport?

Hiroshima Airport is about 45 kilometres east of the city. The Airport Limousine Bus from Hiroshima Station (Shinkansen exit) runs directly to the airport in approximately 45–55 minutes and costs ¥1,340. Buses run roughly every 30–40 minutes. A taxi covers the same route in similar time but costs around ¥8,000–¥10,000.

Explore more
The Ultimate Hiroshima Travel Guide: Things to Do, Where to Eat & Miyajima Day Trip
Exploring Nakajima-cho: A Guide to Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park Area
Best Neighborhoods in Hiroshima: Where to Stay & What to Do

📷 Featured image by Zion C on Unsplash.