Overview
Streetcars now enter the station building. Sanyo Shinkansen services, regional JR trains, airport buses, and city trams meet in the Hiroshima Station Area, and the rebuilt connection makes transfers from long-distance rail to local transport easier to understand.
The main sights are farther west. Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome aren't immediately outside the rail complex, so you'll need to continue by streetcar, bus, or taxi after arriving.
Station background
The south-side minamoa complex and Hotel Granvia Hiroshima South Gate opened in March 2025. In August 2025, Hiroshima Electric Railway moved its terminus into the building's second-floor atrium and began using the new Ekimae Ohashi route. The tram platforms are now on the same level as the main pedestrian passages and JR gates.
Lines and connections
Sanyo Shinkansen trains run east toward Okayama and Shin-Osaka and west toward Kokura and Hakata, with some services continuing onto the Kyushu Shinkansen. Hiroshima Station is the city's key long-distance rail stop for travel through western Honshu and northern Kyushu.
For Miyajima, take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Miyajimaguchi and continue by ferry. The line also runs east toward Saijo and Mihara. Kure Line trains follow the coast toward Kure, while the Geibi Line heads inland toward Miyoshi.
Streetcars serve a different kind of journey. Direct services pass through the city center toward the Atomic Bomb Dome, and another route continues to Hiroden-miyajima-guchi. JR is the more direct option for a Miyajima day trip, while the streetcar is helpful if you want to stop in central Hiroshima along the way.
Airport access
Hiroshima Airport has no direct rail link to the city. Limousine buses connect the airport with the Shinkansen Gate side of Hiroshima Station, with a scheduled journey of about 50 minutes. Traffic and full buses can affect travel time, so leave a margin before your flight.
The airport buses and streetcars use different sides of the complex. For the airport, confirm the Shinkansen Gate bus platform rather than following signs toward the south-side streetcar platforms.
Station area
The Shinkansen Gate side is convenient for bullet trains, airport buses, taxis, and Hotel Granvia Hiroshima, which connects directly to the JR complex. It is the simpler side for an airport transfer or an early Shinkansen departure.
The South Gate side has changed most. minamoa adds shops, restaurants, a cinema, and sheltered waiting space around the new streetcar platforms, while Hotel Granvia Hiroshima South Gate is directly above the redeveloped complex. This side is the natural choice for streetcars and arrivals heading into the city.
What's nearby
The immediate neighborhood is stronger for hotels, meals, shopping, and onward transport than for Hiroshima's major memorial sites. Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hondori, and Hatchobori all require a local ride from Hiroshima Station.
That distinction matters when choosing where to stay. A hotel near the tracks favors Shinkansen timing, airport buses, luggage handling, and JR day trips. The central districts are better placed for evening restaurants, shopping streets, and repeated visits to Peace Memorial Park.
Good to know
Check the side as well as the train. The Shinkansen Gate is on the north side, while the South Gate leads toward minamoa and the second-floor streetcars. Inside the complex, conventional JR platforms, Shinkansen gates, tram platforms, and hotel passages occupy different levels and follow separate routes.
Work around the south plaza and connecting walkways can still change familiar paths. Follow the current signs, especially if you're carrying luggage or meeting someone at a specific gate.
