Hiroshima Station Guide: Navigating JR, Shinkansen & Local Lines for Your Trip

Hiroshima Station Layout: Shinkansen, JR Lines, and Streetcar

Hiroshima Station (広島駅) is one of western Japan's major rail hubs, serving as the connection point between the Sanyo Shinkansen, local JR lines, and the Hiroden streetcar system. Understanding its layout saves time — especially when transferring between the shinkansen and local lines for Miyajima or Onomichi.

According to JR West, the station completed a 2025 renovation that streamlined the multi-level layout. All major services connect on three levels.

3F: Shinkansen Platforms

The Sanyo Shinkansen platforms are on the 3rd floor. According to JR West, all major services stop here: Nozomi, Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, and Sakura. Hiroshima is a mandatory stop for nearly all shinkansen services on the Sanyo line.

From Tokyo, the fastest Nozomi reaches Hiroshima in about 4 hours. From Osaka, roughly 1.5 hours. From Fukuoka (Hakata), about 1 hour.

2F: JR Sanyo Line and Streetcar Connection

The 2nd floor connects JR conventional lines and the Hiroden streetcar. The 2025 renovation created a direct connection between the JR gates and the streetcar platforms, eliminating the previous need to exit and re-enter at street level.

The JR Sanyo Main Line (山陽本線) departs from Platform 1 for westbound services to Miyajimaguchi. The transfer from shinkansen (3F) to Sanyo Line (2F) takes about 5 minutes via escalator — no ticket change needed with a JR Pass.

Quick Reference: Where to Go from Hiroshima Station

Destination	Line	Platform	Time	Notes
Miyajimaguchi (for Miyajima)	JR Sanyo Line	Platform 1 (2F)	25-28 min	JR Pass covered
Onomichi	JR Sanyo Line	Platform 1 (2F)	~1h 10min	Local/Rapid service
Shin-Onomichi	Sanyo Shinkansen	3F	~40 min	Kodama and select Hikari
Peace Park area	Hiroden Line 2/6	South Exit (2F)	~15 min	¥200 flat rate
Miyajimaguchi (streetcar)	Hiroden Line 2	South Exit (2F)	~70 min	Scenic but slow

Getting to Miyajima: JR Train or Streetcar?

The most common question at Hiroshima Station: how to get to Miyajima Island. Two options, one clear recommendation.

JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi (Recommended)

Take the JR Sanyo Main Line from Platform 1 (2F) westbound to Miyajimaguchi Station — approximately 25-28 minutes. Trains run frequently throughout the day. The JR Pass covers this fare. From Miyajimaguchi, it is a 3-minute walk through an underpass to the ferry terminal.

This is the faster, simpler option. For the full station-to-ferry walkthrough, see our Miyajimaguchi station and ferry guide. For ferry details and what to do on the island side, see our Miyajima access guide.

Hiroden Streetcar Alternative

The Hiroden streetcar (広電) runs from Hiroshima Station South Exit to Hiroden-Miyajimaguchi — but it takes over an hour. According to the Hiroden official site, the flat downtown fare is ¥200, with fares to Miyajimaguchi direction at ¥300.

The streetcar is scenic and charming but impractical with luggage or on a tight schedule. It makes sense only if you are starting from a Hiroden stop closer to Miyajimaguchi than the station, or if you specifically want the tram experience. For the full streetcar route, see our Hiroden streetcar guide.

Getting to Onomichi and the Shimanami Kaido

Onomichi — the hillside port town and starting point for the Shimanami Kaido cycling route — is accessible two ways from Hiroshima.

JR Sanyo Line direct: About 1 hour 10 minutes from Hiroshima Station on the local/rapid service. This puts you at JR Onomichi Station, right in the town center near the ferry terminal and cycling route start. See our Onomichi Station guide.

Shinkansen to Shin-Onomichi: If you are coming from further away (Tokyo, Osaka) and want to bypass Hiroshima, take the shinkansen to Shin-Onomichi Station — about 40 minutes from Hiroshima. Kodama and select Hikari trains stop here. From Shin-Onomichi, a bus reaches Onomichi town in 15-20 minutes. See our Shin-Onomichi shinkansen guide.

For most travelers based in Hiroshima, the JR Sanyo Line direct train is more practical — no shinkansen ticket needed and it drops you in the town center.

Station Facilities: Lockers, IC Cards, and Hotels

Coin lockers: Available on B1F and 1F near the station gates. Sizes range from small (backpacks) to large (full-size suitcases). During peak season (cherry blossom, autumn), lockers near the main gates fill up first — check the lower level.

IC cards: ICOCA, Suica, PASMO, and other major IC cards work at JR gates, on Hiroden streetcars, and on the JR Miyajima Ferry. Always tap in and out — failing to tap out results in a maximum fare charge.

Hotels: Several hotels are inside or directly connected to the station complex, convenient for early-morning shinkansen departures or late arrivals.

Station dining: Restaurants and ekiben (station bento) shops are on the 2F concourse. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is available at multiple spots inside the station — worth trying before you leave.

Prices from 2025 data — check current JR West and Hiroden sites for updated fares.