Hiroshima Station sits along the Sanyo Shinkansen line, approximately 4 hours from Tokyo via the Nozomi super express, and just 1 hour 20 minutes from Shin-Osaka. The city became a "City of Peace" due to the atomic bomb dropped in 1945—but what many travelers don't know is that Hiroshima also serves as the perfect base for exploring the art islands of the Setouchi Sea. From Hiroshima Station, you can reach art and natural sanctuaries like Naoshima and Miyajima via local railways or ferries in just tens of minutes to an hour, making Hiroshima one of the few major Shinkansen hubs that can satisfy both "historical commemoration" and "art adventure" aspirations.
The Setouchi Triennale, held since 2010, has become one of Japan's largest outdoor art festivals, taking place every three years (in years ending in 3, 6, and 9...), with permanent works viewable year-round. According to Japanese Railway DATA Vol.32, Hiroshima Station along the Sanyo Shinkansen ranks second only to Osaka Station in average annual passenger volume, highlighting its key role between business and tourism destinations. The Shinkansen services are divided into three stopping patterns: the Nozomi stops only at major hubs, the Hikari stops at a moderate number of stations, and the Kodama stops at every station—if you're planning to visit intermediate stops like Onodori or Hatsukaichi, the Hikari or Kodama is recommended to secure a seat, with fare differences around ¥1,500-2,500.
【Recommended Spots】
1. Miyajima (Miyajima Town): Take the Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station, then transfer to a ferry for about 10 minutes. Miyajima is famous for its floating torii gate—at low tide, you can walk right up to the massive vermillion torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, experiencing the grandeur of this World Heritage site. The maple leaves on the island turn brilliant red from late October to mid-November, creating a fiery tunnel—it's a secret spot favored by Japanese photographers. Round-trip ferry tickets cost ¥360, with frequent departures, perfect for a half-day trip. The sunset silhouette against the torii gate at low tide during autumn evenings is hailed as "one of the most beautiful views in the Setouchi Sea."
2. Naoshima (Naoshima Town): Home to the Benesse Art Site Naoshima museum, take the JR Uno Line from Hiroshima Station to Uno Station (about 1 hour), then transfer to a direct ferry. Yayoi Kusama's pumpkin sculptures and Tadao Ando's清水 concrete architecture have made this a pilgrimage site for art lovers worldwide. Admission varies by exhibition, typically ¥500-2,000; outdoor works are free to view. According to 2019 GVL surveys, foreign tourists account for 38% of Naoshima's visitors—making it the top choice for international visitors to the Setouchi region. Plan for at least half a day, and note that ferry services are limited, with holiday trips often selling out.
3. Onomichi (Onomichi City): A literary city between mountains and sea, about 30 minutes from Hiroshima Station via the Sanyo Line. Renowned author Naoya Shiga once lived here, and masterpieces like "The House on the Slope" are set in this location. Bicycle rentals cost approximately ¥500-1,000, allowing you to ride along the "Island, Baltic Way" connecting various islands (Route 470). Onomichi has the highest concentration of cat cafes in Hiroshima Prefecture, with art installations dotted throughout alleys—a non-mainstream choice for literary buffs and cat lovers.
4. Otake City: Take the Kure Line from Hiroshima Station for about 40 minutes to reach this quiet seaside town. Compared to the bustling crowds at Miyajima, Otake retains the coastal atmosphere of the Showa era. Local fisherman's seafood set meals cost approximately ¥800-1,200, offering excellent value. Each spring (late March to early April), the cherry blossom tunnel along the coast stretches 2 kilometers—what I consider "the most underrated cherry blossom spot near Hiroshima." There are no large chain hotels near Otake Station; accommodations are primarily guesthays, with one-night two-meal packages around ¥8,000-12,000.
5. Iwakuni (Iwakuni City): A hot spring town famous for the Kintaikyo Bridge, about 25 minutes from Hiroshima Station via the Sanyo Shinkansen to Shin-Iwakuni Station. The bridge spans 197 meters in length and 5 meters in width, making it one of Japan's three famous bridges. In autumn, you can combine a stroll through the nearby Yoshioka Hot Spring Street, with hot spring fees around ¥600-1,000. Iwakuni produces Japan's top Line watermelons (non-GMO) in summer—the local specialty shop's watermelon ice cream at ¥350 is a refreshing summer treat.
【Practical Information】
- Shinkansen Fares: Tokyo to Hiroshima reserved seats approximately ¥19,480 (Nozami full fare), unreserved seats approximately ¥18,380; Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima approximately ¥9,500. Book 28 days in advance through the JR website for EX Early discounts to save ¥2,000-3,000.
二、Local Transportation: Hiroshima's Hiroden streetcars cover major city attractions, with a one-day pass at ¥650 for unlimited rides. To reach the Setouchi islands, take ferries from Hiroshima Port (広島港)—private ferry companies have varying schedules; check their websites for confirmation.
三、Best Season: Spring (late March to early April) is ideal for cherry blossoms plus art tours; autumn (October to November) is recommended for fall foliage plus the art festival, with fewer crowds both seasons. Summer is hot and humid but offers beach experiences; winter is off-peak with cheaper accommodations, though some island ferry services are reduced.
四、Japan Rail JR Pass Coverage: The entire Sanyo Shinkansen is covered by the "JR Sanyo & Kyushu Pass" (7-day adult ¥27,000)—if your itinerary includes Kyushu, this pass is more economical than buying individual Shinkansen tickets. However, if you're only visiting Hiroshima and surroundings, individual tickets may be better value. Use the JR official website's "Fare Search" function to compare routes.
【Travel Tips】
一災害 Measures: Hiroshima is located at the southern edge of the rainy season front, with occasional typhoons in summer. If a typhoon makes landfall, island ferries are prioritized for suspension—check Weather News or Yahoo! Japan weather pages before departure. Large-scale earthquakes are rare in Hiroshima proper, but the city has designated emergency shelters for emergencies.
二Crowd Avoidance Tips: The Peace Memorial Park area is extremely crowded around "August 6th"—to avoid crowds, arrive before 8 AM or choose weekdays. During the Setouchi Triennale (spring and autumn long holidays), book accommodations at least half a year in advance; last-minute trips risk being unable to return the same day.
三Cultural Etiquette: Miyajima's shrine is a Shinto sacred site—remove hats and sunglasses before entering, and avoid flash when photographing. Artworks at Naoshima are copyright-protected; photography of specific works without permission is prohibited on Instagram—please follow each museum's rules.
四Optimizing Your Route: Using Hiroshima as a base with a "radial" approach—visiting different islands each day and returning to stay in Hiroshima at night—is recommended (city accommodations offer more options and better value, with hostel beds starting at ¥2,500). This is easier than moving luggage daily and saves time on inter-island ferry connections.
