The JR Pass is valid on the Hiroshima sightseeing bus lines, which is a very handy option to explore Hiroshima with. The bus service is cutely named Meipuru-pu, a reference to the many maple trees planted around the city parks.

Stops include downtown, Hiroshima Castle, Atomic Done, Peace memorial park, Kamiyacho and Hiroshima station. This is one of the perks of the JR Pass not many people know about, so let us enlighten you.

Bus lines in Hiroshima

There are quite a few normal bus lines in Hiroshima, these more like commuter busses and not what we are about here. Specifically, we are talking about the Hiroshima sight seeing bus lines. Of which there four, all starting and ending at Hiroshima station. These are:

Orange Route:

• 1.) Hiroshima station (Shinkansen Entrance)
• 2.) Hiroshima prefectural Art Museum (Shukkeien).
• 3.) Hiroshima Castle (Gokoku Shrine)
• 4.) Hiroshima Museum of Art (Shimin Byoin-mae)
• 5.) Kamiyacho
• 6.) Atomic Bomb Dome
• 7.) Hiroshima Peace Memorial park & Museum
• 8.) Hatchobori
• 9.) Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art (comics library)

Green Route:

• 1.) Hiroshima station (Shinkansen Entrance)
• 2.) Hatchobori (Nagarekawa entrance)
• 3.) Kamiyacho
• 4.) Atomic Bomb Dome
• 5.) Peace Memorial Park (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum)
• 6.) Namiki-dori
• 7.) Shintenchi
• 8.) Hiroshima prefectural Art Museum (Shukkeien)
• 9.) Promenade of history
• 10.) Hiroshima Toshogu Shrine

Yellow route:

• 1.) Hiroshima station (Shinkansen Entrance)
• 2.) Hiroshima prefectural Art Museum (Shukkeien)
• 3.) Hiroshima Castle
• 4.) Hiroshima Museum of Art
• 5.) Kamiyacho
• 6.) Atomic Bomb Dome
• 7.) Hiroshima Peace Memorial park & Museum
• 8.) Namiki-dori

Blue route:

• 1.) Hiroshima station (Shinkansen Entrance)
• 2.) Hiroshima Port
• 3.) Kamiyacho
• 4.) Atomic Bomb Dome
• 5.) Hiroshima Peace Memorial park & Museum
• 6.) Namiki-dori

Time table of the Hiroshima sightseeing bus:

Bus service is frequent, with 2-4 services on each route per hour during the day. Note that some stops have multiple lines stopping there, making service even more frequent. The timetable for all the Hiroshima sightseeing bus lines can be found here.

Recommended stops on the Hiroshima sightseeing bus

The bus stops at all the famous stops but also includes a variety of lesser known sights. We suggest doing a mix of both to really get to know Hiroshima. Here are our recommended 5 stops.

Peace Memorial Park and Museum
If there is any 1 stop you should visit in Hiroshima then it is the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. It’s a start reminder of what humanity is capable of. It will imprint deep lasting experience. While certainly not something you’d on any fun to do list in Japan, the Peace Memorial Park and Museum is something everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

Hiroshima downtown
This is the liveliest part of Hiroshima, great for shopping, eating, drinking and enjoying a city that is alive with purpose and living. Even if you’re just passing through Hiroshima, it is worthwhile to just take an hour or so to explore the city centre and try some of the local foods.

Atomic Bomb dome
The most iconic stop at Hiroshima and instantly recognizable. It’s the only surviving building of when the Atomic bomb exploded and has been kept as memorial to its devastating power. It’s not all doom and gloom though, its build right across the river from the peace memorial park, which is a tranquil and beautiful area.

Futabanosato Historical Walking Trail
This is one of the better hidden secrets of Hiroshima and will take you back to the old times when Japan was ruled by the Shogun and Samurai roamed the country side. The Futabanosato Historical Walking Trail is about 10 km long and takes you past the old sites of Hiroshima, including different temples, waterworks and many smaller shrines.

Okanomiyaki Mura
Home of everything yummy! At least regarding Japanese pancakes. Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savoury pancake containing a variety of ingredients in a wheat-flour-based batter. You can add many ingredients of your own liking, such as green onion, meat, octopus, squid, shrimp, vegetables, mochi or cheese. Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki is by many considered the best in Japan and is a “soul food” that you must try. Okonomiyaki Mura is a huge building with many smaller restaurants inside. Get off the bus at Shintenchi bus stop, and you’ll be right in front.

How to use the JR Pass on the Hiroshima City bus

When entering the bus, have your JR Pass or JR West regional pass ready to show to the driver. The driver will then note down the pass number or take a picture of the pass as proof of eligibility. After this take a seat and ride the bus as normal, then get off at the stop you have in mind. You do not have to show the pass again when exiting the bus.

How to board and pay the fare

If you do not have a JR Pass, then you can still use the Hiroshima sightseeing bus. A one way fare is between 200-350yen, day passes are available and range in price between 400yen – 2.000yen, depending on coverage area and other features.