Many travellers mistakenly believe that Hiroshima has its own dedicated "Hiroshima JR Pass," but JR has not issued such a specialised pass. However, this does not affect the practicality of the JR Pass in the slightest—the correct approach is to choose the appropriate rail pass and use Hiroshima as a base to explore the entire Chugoku region (San'in San'yō), in order to truly maximise the value of this pass.
The Chugoku region covers Hiroshima, Okayama, Tottori, Shimane, and Yamaguchi prefectures, making it the most remote-feeling rail travel destination in western Honshu. There are none of the crowds found in Tokyo or Osaka, but instead it offers well-preserved old harbour streets, the scattered islands of the Seto Inland Sea, and the rural scenery of San'in San'yō. Using a JR Pass to roam the Chugoku region transforms "Hiroshima" from a single destination into the starting point for an entire regional rail adventure.
Key Highlights: The Value of Rail Roaming in the Chugoku Region
The advantage of the JR Pass in the Chugoku region lies in "cross-prefecture travel without additional tickets." Using Hiroshima as a centre, you can travel west to Iwakuni, east to Okayama, and north into San'in to Tottori and Shimane. Using a 7-day Ordinary Class JR Pass (approximately ¥33,000) as an example, you can ride JR ordinary trains, rapid trains, and some Shinkansen sections unlimited times.
A characteristic of Chugoku region railways is that "stations are far apart with varied scenery." Travelling north from Hiroshima on the Gabi Line, you'll pass through mini stations such as Binhō Ochiai—these stations have platforms overgrown with wild grass, and when the train passes through, you might be the only passenger. This kind of "private carriage" experience is unimaginable on city railways.
Another highlight is the "Seto Inland Sea Island Railway." From Hiroshima Station, taking the JR Kure Line will take you to various port cities along the coast, where you can then transfer to ferries to reach Miyajima, Okunoshima (Rabbit Island), and other scattered islands. This "railway + ferry" combination is the core way to explore the Chugoku region by rail.
Recommended Places: Five Hidden Gems of the Chugoku Region
1. Miyajima (Itsukushima Shrine)
From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Miyajimaguchi Station, then transfer to a ferry for approximately 10 minutes. Miyajima is one of Japan's Three Scenic Spots; at high tide, the floating torii gate is completely submerged in water, while at low tide you can walk right up to the base of the torii gate for a close-up view. The island is filled with sika deer, different from the Nara deer—these deer are gentler and wander leisurely along the shrine's approach path.
Recommended itinerary: Take the first ferry of the morning to the island and visit Itsukushima Shrine before the tourists arrive; have lunch on the island's Omote-suji shopping street—grilled fugu (blowfish) skewers are a local specialty; in the afternoon, take the cable car to the summit of Mt. Misen for a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea islands.
2. Tomo no Ura
From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Fukuyama Station, then transfer to the Fukuden Railway to Tomoura Station. This small port town on the Seto Inland Sea preserves a complete Edo-period old street, and the famous Sengoku-era commander Hanzō Takenaka once served as the castellan here. The harbour "Tomo Port" has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Most Beautiful Harbours, and at sunset the entire port turns orange.
The local specialty is "the coin-operated feeding of the sea post box." The harbour has Japan's only sea post office—posting a postcard will get you a special sea postmark, making it perfect as a travel souvenir to send to friends.
3. Onomichi
From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Onomichi Station. This city built on hillsides is famous for its "Cat Alley"—narrow hillside alleyways are filled with cat murals and sculptures, and local residents leave cat food at the alley entrances, creating a unique "cat walking path."
Onomichi is also a pilgrimage site for Japanese cyclists. From Onomichi, you can cycle across the Innoshima Bridge to the islands on the other side, passing through "Mukushima" with its citrus orchards and "Ikuchijima" with its lemon-covered hills. The combination of railway stations and cycling paths is Onomichi's greatest travel appeal.
4. Iwakuni
From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Iwakuni Station. Iwakuni is famous for the "Kintaikyo Bridge"—this five-arch stone bridge was built in 1673 and is only wide enough for pedestrians, but the piers can withstand flood waters. When it snows in winter, the white snow covering the bridge and riverbanks makes for a highly recommended photography spot.
The local specialty is "Iwakuni sushi"—unlike regular sushi, this chirashi-zushi has the vinegar rice and toppings layered separately, to be mixed when eating. It has a refreshing taste and generous portions, perfect for a quick meal during rail travel.
5. Tsuwano
From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Yamaguchi Line to Tsuwano Station. This small town nestled in a valley is called "Japan's secret garden"—the JR station platform leads directly to well-preserved old merchant streets, without overly commercialised souvenir shops, but with traditional Japanese confectionery shops and sake breweries.
Winter in Tsuwano sees the "Snowscape Festival," where the snow in the valleys combined with the old street houses creates unique rural scenery. The local San'in specialty "Tsuwano mochi" is a red bean-filled glutinous rice dumpling—when eaten warm, it has a soft, sticky texture and is a heartwarming snack in cold weather.
Practical Information
Transport: To travel from Kansai Airport or the Kansai area to Hiroshima, it is recommended to take the HARUKA to Shin-Osaka Station, then transfer to the Sanyo Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station. The entire journey takes approximately 2.5 hours. Passengers holding a JR Pass can ride this Shinkansen section for free.
Cost: A 7-day Ordinary Class JR Pass costs approximately ¥33,000 (2025 price), covering ordinary trains and rapid trains on JR lines including the Sanyo Main Line, Gabi Line, Yamaguchi Line, and Kure Line. It is recommended to exchange for the physical pass at the airport or the green window at major stations.
Operating Hours: JR trains run according to the timetable—the Sanyo Shinkansen runs approximately every 15-30 minutes, while ordinary trains run approximately every 1-2 hours. Services at remote minor stations may be even less frequent, so it is recommended to check the timetable in advance.
Accommodation: Business hotels in central Hiroshima cost approximately ¥5,000-¥8,000 per night, while guesthouses in hidden gem towns cost approximately ¥4,000-¥6,000 per night (including breakfast). Advance booking is recommended, especially during peak season and weekends.
Travel Tips
The railways in the Chūgoku region differ from Tokyo and Osaka, with fewer train services on many sections. When planning your itinerary, it's recommended to follow the principle of 'one to two main destinations per day' to avoid being too rushed.
The value of the JR Pass in the Chūgoku region lies in 'cross-prefecture travel'. If you only stay in Hiroshima city, it may not be very cost-effective; however, if you're willing to explore the hidden towns of the San'in and San'yō regions, one pass can save a considerable amount on transport costs.
The railway experience in Hiroshima and the Chūgoku region is ideal for travellers who enjoy 'slow travel' - without the crowds of Tokyo or the hurry of Osaka. What you will find is the tranquility of station platforms and the slow passage of time on old streets. This is precisely the greatest charm of the JR Pass in the Chūgoku region: turning a single ticket into the start of a regional exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions
