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Whether you’re visiting Hiroshima for a day or using it as a base to explore more of Hiroshima Prefecture, at some point during your trip, you’ll likely want to use one of the trams that criss-cross the city – and here’s what you need to know when you do.
The tram network in Hiroshima is Japan’s biggest. It can take you to most of the city’s main sights -and even as far as the port for the ferries that take you to Miyajima. There are nine lines in the network and tram stops all over the city.
The first step to using Hiroshima’s tram network, therefore, is understanding the lines and some of the sights that each one might take you to.
The Hiroshima Tram Lines Explained
Each of the lines is identified by a colour, and each stop on that line also has a letter and a number that identifies it. These are the lines most likely to be used by tourists…
Line 1 – the Orange Line
Travels between Hiroshima Station (M1) and Hiroshima Port (U18) (Note – this is different to Miyajima Port. Don’t come here thinking this is where you get the ferry to Miyajima Island).
Stops that tourists might use on this line include Hiroshima Station, Hatchobori (probably the closest to the Okonomimura), Hondori, which is close to the Peace Park, and Fukuromachi, which is the closest stop to the old branch of the Bank of Japan and Fukuromachi Elementary School that you can read about in our guide to Hiroshima’s atomic bomb sights.
This line is also good if you’re staying at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hiroshima, The Knot Hiroshima or the Daiwa Roynet Hiroshima.
Line 2 – The Red Line
This also starts at Hiroshima Station (M1), but it can take you through the city centre and all the way down to Hiroden Miyajima-guchi (M39), the port where you do catch the ferries to Miyajima. This is the cheapest way to get to Miyajima – but it’s not the quickest.
Other stops tourists might use on this line include Hiroshima Station, Hatchobori, Genbaku Dome Mae, the closest stop to the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Orizuru Tower.
Related Read: How to Visit Hiroshima and Miyajima in the same day
Line 6 – The Yellow Line
Another line that starts at Hiroshima Station (M1) and that can carry you to the Peace Park area. It goes through the middle and then diverts south to a station called Eba (E6).
Stops you might get off at on this line include Hiroshima Station and Genbaku Dome Mae.
Line 3 – The Navy Line
This runs east to west across Hiroshima. At one end is Hiroden Nishi Hiroshima Koi (M19), at the other is Hiroden Honsha Mae (U7).
Most tourists might only use a small section of this line, say going from Hindori to the Atomic Bomb Dome, if you want to rest your feet!
Line 7 – The Very Dark Green One
This starts at Yokogawa (Y5) in north west Hiroshima and then crosses the city past the main sights, and then travels south east and all the way down to Hiroshima Port (U18).
As with the Orange Line, you might use this to get between the hotels like The Knot Hiroshima, or the Hotel Mystays Peace Park and the sights at the top end of the Peace Park like the Atomic Bomb Dome or Orizuru Tower.
Line 9 – The Grey One
Goes from Hatchobori (W1) in North east Hiroshima south to Hakushima (W5).
This short line could come in handy if you are visiting Hiroshima Castle, the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum or Shukkeien Garden. It stops at Shukkeien Mae station.
The Other Lines
Line 5 – The Dark Green Line
Runs from Hiroshima Station (M1), skirting around the east of the city and taking people down to Hiroshima Port (U18).
This does not go into the main part of Hiroshima, so don’t jump on this one at the station, or you will end up lost!
Line 8 – The Pink Line
This goes between Yokogawa Station (Y5) in North Hiroshima, straight south to a station called Eba (E6).
You’re unlikely to use this on the normal tourist route in Hiroshima.
Line 4 – The Invisible One!
Despite the fact that the lines in Hiroshima are numbered one to nine, there isn’t a tram line called line 4.
What is the Astram Line?
It may have the word tram in the name, but the Astram Line isn’t actually part of Hiroshima’s tram network and instead is classed as a ‘people mover’. You might use it if you visit Hiroshima Castle as the stop, Kencho-Mae is near the castle entrance.
How Much Do Tram Fares Cost in Hiroshima?
The very simple thing about the trams in Hiroshima is that most of the city runs on a flat fare. No matter where you want to go, it will only cost you (at the time of writing) 240 yen, for adults, per journey. Children aged 6 to 11 go for half price. For younger kids, up to three children under six can travel free per adult. Babies under one always travel free.
The two exceptions to the flat fare rule are if you take the tram to Miyajima. The flat fare section of this route ends at stop M19 – Hiroden Nishi Hiroshima Koi. After this, you’ll need to check the charts in the tram to determine the correct fare.
Another exception is Line 9 – the grey Hakushima line. This only has five stops and so, the flat fare, if only using this, is just 160 yen.
If you change lines during your journey, you do have to pay twice, so if you’re budgeting, try and stay on one line per journey if possible.
How To Pay For Your Journey
The good news is you don’t need to buy tickets in advance. You pay for your trip on the tram.
The trams take cash, IC cards or daily tickets. Let’s talk about each of them in turn.
Paying in Cash
If you want to pay in cash on a Hiroshima tram, you simply drop the fare in the box that sits by the driver – but you must have the right money, it doesn’t give change and nor will the driver.
If you don’t have the right money, there is a machine that will change notes or coins at the front of the bus – try and use this during your journey rather than when it’s time to get off, so you don’t hold everyone up.
Paying by IC Card
The trams in Hiroshima take all of the major IC Cards – Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA and more. As it’s a flat fare service, you only need to tap once – when you get off. You can do this at any of the tap points on the tram, you don’t need to do it right by the driver.
Related Read: The Simple Guide to IC Cards
Daily Passes
The Hiroden One Day Streetcar pass is a daily tram pass that allows you unlimited travel on trams in the Hiroshima area. It costs 700 yen for adults and 350 yen for children – you only need to take three journeys throughout the day for it to pay off. This makes it a pretty good deal – especially if you’re staying in one of the hotels around Hiroshima Station, where it’s likely you’ll use the tram more.
There is also another version of the pass that includes the ferry to Miyajima for 1000 yen. Note though this is only valid on the Matsudai Line from Miyajimaguchi, not the JR Ferry or the fast Aquanet ferry. Also, you can’t use it on the train to Miyajimaguchi, only the tram.
You can buy the passes at Hiroshima Station, on the tram or at many Hiroshima Hotels.
To use the pass, scratch off the date you are riding the tram before you ride and show this to the driver.
Related Read: How to get to Miyajima by ferry from Hiroshima.
Visit Hiroshima Tourist Pass
This One-Day pass covers all your journeys on the streetcar and both the ferries from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima and back. It also offers discounts at some Hiroshima attractions, including Hiroshima Castle and Miyajima Ropeway
The pass costs around 1000 yen (if you buy it outside Japan it will be charged in your home currency). If you’re going to use the ropeway, this pass is definitely worth it as it will save you 500 yen on the return – plus, you’ll get free travel to and from Miyajima via the tram and ferry.
When you buy this pass, you will be given a voucher that you need to change into your ticket at one of the offices shown – they’re in places like Hiroshima Station.
To use it, simply show it to the driver on the day.
You can buy this ticket in advance via Klook.
Save Money with Klook & Japlanease
If you plan on buying tickets or tours from Klook for when you’re in Japan, you could save up to 10 per cent by using the code JAPLANEASEKLOOK at the checkout. Click here to see what’s on offer.
T&Cs apply. Some items, including Tokyo Disney and USJ tickets, are not available for discounts.
Can You Use Tap and Go on the Hiroshima Tram?
Not at the time of writing. More and more operators in Japan are converting to machines that allow you to tap your normal debit or credit card to pay rather than use an IC card, but right now, Hiroden, who control the Hiroshima tram network, are not one of them
Where to Catch the Trams
This is the only thing that can be a little bit confusing about using the trams. The tram stops are located in the middle of the road, and it can be tricky to work out exactly where your stop is if you aren’t quite sure which way you’re supposed to be heading.
If you reach the stop, look up and try and find one of these signs. They show you which way the tram is going and what the next stop is.
Use the tram maps on the bus stops, or Google Maps, which will tell you the end destination and the next stop to help you work out which way you need to be going. Or, you might find a paper map at your hotel, which can be handy to carry around to work things out quickly.
Once you’ve worked out that it’s the right stop, each carriage has an entry door that you can use to get on.
Stopping the Tram
Often, if you’re moving around the city centre, the tram will stop at each stop as other people want to get off and on, but, to be sure, push the button before your stop to alert the driver that you want to get off.
Then get off at the front of the tram to pay the driver cash, or if using a pass. If you’re tapping off with an IC Card, head toward the driver, or use any of the exit doors that have an IC Card reader beside them.
Other Questions About Hiroshima’s Tram Service
As you can see, using the tram in Hiroshima is pretty simple and you’ll quickly get the hang of it, but before we go – a couple of questions you might have.
How Early and Late do the Trams Run?
The exact timings depend on the line, but generally the first trams depart after 6 am and they keep running until about 10.30 pm (the exact timings for each line are here). The intervals between then also vary by line, but during the main part of the day, you’ll find trams running every 10-15 minutes.
Can You Take Luggage on the Trams?
They are quite spacious inside, so you can do so, but, remember, the residents of Hiroshima also rely on the trams for work so, try not to travel with very large luggage during morning or evening rush hour – also be considerate about where you place bags, try not to block doors or aisles.
Related Read: 8 Ways Not to be ‘That Tourist’ on your Japan Trip.
Can You Eat and Drink Inside?
Ideally not. No one is going to mind you having a gulp of water in the heat of summer, but generally, trams are like local trains where it’s best to avoid doing things that might inconvenience others, like eating, drinking and making too much noise.
Is There a Tram to Hiroshima Airport?
No – it’s a bit out of town, so the tram line doesn’t reach that far. The best option if you are flying in or out of Hiroshima is to get the Airport Limousine Bus.
Spotting the Special Trams
The tram service has been running in Hiroshima since 1912. When the atomic bomb hit in 1945, many of the tracks were damaged, but getting the trams moving again was a priority, and much of the system was up and running within just two days.
Two of the trams that were running in August 1945 still run today. They only run during weekday rush hour, and they run quite slowly, but look out for tram numbers 651 and 652. Tram 653 was also operating that day, but it is now only used for private hire. The routes these trams run on vary, but keep an eye out. 651 and 652 have green and beige livery, 653 has been restored with blue and grey colouring.
Check Hiroshima Hotel Prices Here
And I think that’s it. Everything you need to know about using Hiroshima’s handy tram service, but, if you do have any further questions, head over to our Japan planning Facebook group to ask.