Tram, called "Hiroden", is the most popular mean of transportation in Hiroshima city.
You can see tram in many cities in Japan, but the scale of tram rail in Hiroshima is far superior to the others.
Secenery of the tram running in the town is the typical image and identity of Hiroshima city.
You can get or hear the sound of the tram from many important corner in the town, including Hiroshima Station (広島駅).
Sound of the tram is very unique, like "Gata-Goto", and comming up with its pretty train whistle, tram was called "Chin-chin densha" in Hiroshima (densha=tram).
Rate of tram is 150 JPY across the board in city central, as of 2011 Sep. It is cheapest and quickest means of transportation in Hiroshima city. Rate should be paid when you get off the tram.
You can get the route map from Hiroden web site.
http://www.hiroden.co.jp/en/
Tram runs in the center of the road. You can get on from tram stop. Direction is shown by Japanese character, but you can refer to the number shown beside the direction. English route map can be found in major station, including Hiroshima JR station.
Tram operation was started in 1910, more than 100 years ago. Hiroshima city central was ruined completely by atomic bomb on Aug 6 1945, but tram re-started the operation in just 3 days. Since then, tram has kept sounding as the identity of Hiroshima city.
One of the fun in Hiroshim city is finding the many shapes of tram, from modern shape to nostalgic, brown color to green, and sometimes you may luckily find the special shape for a limited time only.
Latest type of tram is very confortable, while the sound of old type is un-replaceable.
You should find out your favorite tram in staying a few days in Hiroshima city.
Most of the sightseeing spot can be reached by the tram, including Peace Park and Miyajima, as well as the major town areas, like Kamiya-cho, Haccho-bori and Hondori.
Of course, Hiroshima Station, Hiroshima sea port, Nishi- Hiroshima and Yokogawa are liked by the tram.
Scenery of tram running in the town is always beautiful. Summer, winter, fall, spring, morning, evening and night. However, running in twilight gloom should be the best. Wind by tram should make you feel good.
Hiroshima city has many river and bridges. Tram is the inevitable transportation method for the people in Hiroshima. Several plans to expand the tram route is considered for a years. Most major one is the line to link Hiroshima Station and the ballpark,"MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima". This is tightly related with the re-development around the station.
People in Hiroshima use tram to go home or to go city central. in the tram, and you can feel the emotion very much in twilight gloom.
After a few weeks past you leave from Hiroshima, you should feel nostalgic for the sound of tram.
Tram is oepration from 6am to 10pm. Small box in tram stop will let you know the tram is approaching.
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