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Hiroshima Station

Before the Second World War, Hiroshima boasted the nation’s first concrete train station. Today Hiroshima station is operated by JR (Japan Rail) West, and is a hub for local trains and the Shinkansen, or bullet trains. All Sanyo Shinkansen trains stop in Hiroshima. Local trains carry travelers to various points throughout Hiroshima prefecture and beyond, and can be a wonderful way to see the countryside as you travel.

There are three tourist information desks inside Hiroshima Station, on both the local and shinkansen sides as well as in the station’s basement. Don’t forget to grab a map in your language of choice from one of these before you head out. They can even help with finding accommodations.

From the station, buses, taxis, and the streetcar lines can take you anywhere you want to go. Several long distance bus lines terminate by the station, though others use the Hiroshima Bus Center, which is located on the third floor of the Sogo Department Store in the heart of downtown. Alternately, the city center is only a 15 minute walk away.

Hiroshima Airport is famously inconvenient, located forty kilometers east of the city. Buses run regularly between the airport and both Hiroshima Station and the downtown Bus Center. The fare is \1,300, and the trip takes nearly an hour. Coming from the airport into Hiroshima, some travelers prefer to take a bus to the Shiraichi Station before transferring to a Sanyo line local train into Hiroshima Station.

>>Map
Hiroshima station map>>Click here to view

>>Website
West JR Official HP (English, Chinese)
JAPAN RAIL PASS (English, Korean, Chinese)

Travelers who will be using trains extensively in Japan should consider a JR Japan Rail Pass. The pass will save train travelers a great deal of money, but must be purchased from outside Japan via a travel agent.

-Matt Mangham