Travel Within Hiroshima, Hiroshima

I would have been fine with just a regular bicycle, but we ended up getting electric bicycles this time. I have to say they are fun. On the downside if you get one of these you won't get anywhere near as much exercise as you would with a regular bicycle unless you run out of juice. I am a regular cyclist as that's how I always get around. These make sense for elderly or people who just don't have the energy to bike a city.

With an electric bike you just barely put your foot on the peddle and the battery provides a great deal of the energy to move you about.

Key points (pros):

-Saves money!!! Cheaper than a taxi and more convenient than trains or buses.
-get around by bicycle where others have to walk.
-Saves time!!! See more of Hiroshima in much less time than by walking.
-Fun!! This is a better way to see the city.
-Environmentally better than trains, buses or taxis.

We rode round the city on a wintery December day.

Negatives:

-If you're irresponsible, you'll pay for it.
-You can't park in areas that don't permit bicycle parking.
-Some days may just be no good for cycling.

Considerations:

-Some places only allow cycling until 5 PM. Some places are 24 hours. Check the internet for more info on places that have 24 hour rental.
-Rates differ. Check the internet.
-Rental bicycles are located in various areas of Hiroshima city.

We rented from the Oriental Hotel in Hiroshima (info on that provided from our hotel, the Mitsui Garden Hotel).

The best way to travel around Hiroshima is to use trams which cover all areas including Miyajima and Yokogawa. There are 9 different routes and they frequently operate for public convenience. Another plus is the flat rate within city. For 150 JPY you can travel from one point to another within city limits. Only Miyajima tram which is route no 2 costs more if you travel upto Miyajimaguchi (270 JPY). There are also 1 day and 2 days trip cards which provide good savings if you will use trams extensively.

There is no metro/subway in Hiroshima. They say it's too mountainous for that. So, instead, they have trams, which apparently have been gathered here from all over Japan and, indeed, seem to be all very different in colour and make.

The trams run regularly during the daytime. While I was in Hiroshima, I think the longest wait for a tram was between 5-10mins. Very good prices. Adults to any stop = 150 yen, and children are 100 yen. ($1.50/$1.00 $US).
The trams go everywhere around Hiroshima. At the main JR Train Station, there is the main tram & bus stop, and a detailed map in English and Japanese about all the stops. The buses are also easy to take. About the same prices as the trams.

If you're planning on visiting several sites in Hiroshima, get a Tram pass. It comes in 3 different forms:

Tram only (you can ride any line for one day).
Tram and Ferry to Miyajima
Tram, Ferry to Miyajima, and ropeway in Miyajima.

You could purchase them from machines at certian stations (including at the tram stop at JR station) or on the trams from a conductor. Either way, it's cheaper than getting separate tickets.

Hiroshima retained it's thankfully trams with a reasonable broad network consisting of about 6 major routes. This tram system is excellent to get about by. As you would probably arrive at the Shin-Hiroshima train station there is a major tram terminus out the front. There there is a colour coded route map and ticket vending machines. All trams have number and name of destination. Japan is quite unusual when it concerns tickets. They are given to the ticket collector when leaving the tram, this applies with most buses also.

The transportation in Hiroshima is superb. They have a extensive Street Car (tram) network which is both cheap and reliable however it can get busy at rush hours. They also have a very good bus service as well. Coupled with the train system, which can get you to some parts of the city very quickly. Buses and trams are the cheapest transport, starting at 200 yen (£1.14) and trains and taxis being more expensive. Most maps have an English translation which makes finding your way much easier.

(last date took the tram - Aug. 25, 2007)

Trams