Hiroshima Station Transformed: A Bustling New Gateway to the City - Japan Railway Journal

Key Concepts: Elevated Street Car Terminal, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), 40 per mill gradient, Hibaku Dena, Articulated Vehicle, Rapid Service (public transport), Station Atrium, Rooftop Park, Pedestrian Decks, Kitashano Wine Valley Train, Bento Box.

Hiroshima Station Redevelopment: A New Era for Urban Transit

On August 3rd, 2025, Hiroshima City unveiled a groundbreaking urban development project centered around JR Hiroshima Station, a pivotal transportation hub for western Japan. The highlight is the new street car terminal, marking the first instance in Japan where street cars access the second floor of a station building via an elevated structure. This initiative is part of a larger redevelopment costing approximately 52 billion yen, a collaborative effort between JR West, Hiroshima Electric Railway, and Hiroshima City.

Hiroshima Electric Railway and the New Elevated Route

Hiroshima Electric Railway, operating since 1912, boasts Japan's largest street car network, spanning 34.6 km with 132 street cars. This includes six city lines (18.5 km) and the 16.1 km Miajima line to Itsukushima Shrine. Notably, its fleet includes four "hibaku dena" – street cars that survived the atomic bomb 80 years ago, with the oldest being car number 156 (built in 1925). A special run in August marked the 80th year since post-bomb operations resumed. The railway serves an average of 122,000 passengers daily.

The newly opened Ekimaya Ohashi route, 1.1 km long, provides a direct connection from the city center to the second floor of JR Hiroshima Station. This elevated structure features the steepest gradient in Hiroshima's street car network, a 40 per mill gradient (40 meters elevation for every 1,000 meters traveled). This gradient, while significant, is noted as common for trams and street cars, even within Hiroshima Electric Railway's existing network, despite the city's generally flat terrain.

Key Benefits and Service Enhancements:

• Enhanced Convenience: Passengers transferring from JR trains can now do so on the same floor as the JR ticket gates, reducing transfer times to approximately 1 minute. This eliminates the need to descend to street level and provides weather-independent transfers.
• Reduced Travel Time: The new direct route has fewer intersections and is two stops shorter than the former winding route, cutting travel time by about 4 minutes.
• Increased Capacity and Services: Six additional street car services have been added during weekday morning and evening rush hours. The number of articulated vehicle services on the line from Hiroshima station to the city center has increased by 10, totaling 126, to ease congestion.
• Rapid Service Trial: A rapid service is being trialed on weekday mornings from August through December. These cars skip three stops between Hiroshima station and the city center, reducing travel time by about 1 minute.

Impact and Statistics:

JR West reported a 14% increase in passengers at Hiroshima Station during the first week after the new route's opening, compared to the previous year, demonstrating the success of this urban development in improving railway network integration.

The New JR Hiroshima Station Building: A Multifunctional Hub

Opened in March 2025, the new JR Hiroshima Station building at the south exit is designed as a comprehensive hub for residents and tourists. It features a striking large atrium through which the street cars pull in on the second floor.

Commercial and Leisure Facilities:

• Second Floor: Cafes line the street car platform.
• Third Floor: A terrace surrounding the atrium offers dynamic views of street cars.
• Fourth Floor: The "Ice Break Zone" provides a resting area for shoppers overlooking the street car stop.
• Retail and Dining: From the first basement to the ninth floor, the building houses approximately 220 tenants. The first floor is dedicated to souvenirs and local Hiroshima specialties, while floors 3-5 feature fashion and variety goods. The sixth floor is a dedicated cafe and restaurant area with 31 shops, including Hiroshima's famous okonomiyaki.
• Entertainment and Accommodation: The east side of the seventh floor hosts a multiplex with nine screens. The west side of the seventh floor and upward is a 380-room hotel, leveraging its prime location directly above the station.
• Rooftop Park: Above the multiplex is the "Soda Moa Plaza," a rooftop park with over 200 plant species, a multi-purpose court, and a rest area, hosting various events like beer festivals and markets.
• Grand Staircase: A central grand staircase from the seventh floor to the roof offers panoramic city views.

Visitor Data: In its first 20 days, the new station building welcomed approximately 2.21 million visitors, averaging over 110,000 people per day.

Integrated Urban Planning and Future Developments

The redevelopment extends beyond the station building. Moving the street car platforms to the second floor freed up ground-level space, allowing the station plaza to expand by 1.4 times. The former platform area will become a taxi stand and pickup/drop-off zone, while the previously scattered bus terminal will be consolidated. Four pedestrian decks are planned to connect the station with surrounding commercial facilities, with two already completed, enhancing accessibility and ease of movement, even on rainy days. This transit-oriented compact redevelopment is scheduled for completion in spring 2029, aiming to strengthen Hiroshima Station's role as a major transportation hub and a vibrant city face. The project is lauded for reducing reliance on private cars, lowering environmental impact, and making Hiroshima a more attractive tourist destination.

Tourist Trains in Style: The Kitashano Wine Valley Train

The video also features the Kitashano Wine Valley Train, a unique tourist train operated by Nagago Electric Railway in Nagano Prefecture.

Experience Details:

• Route: A 33.2 km journey between Nagano and Yudanaka stations.
• Concept: Passengers enjoy a variety of wines from local wineries along the line.
• Train Car: The train utilizes a former Odakyu Electric Railway vehicle. Car 3 is specifically designed for wine enjoyment, seating up to 36 passengers in four-person box seats with tables.
• Onboard Experience:
  • A welcome drink is provided upon boarding.
  • Wines from three Nagano Prefecture wineries (three red, four white, and more) are available at a counter in the car with unlimited refills.
  • A special bento box meal is served.
  • The train makes brief stops or slows down at scenic spots, such as the Chikuma River bridge.
  • A 20-minute stop at Obuse Station allows passengers to purchase local fruits and specialty chestnuts from platform vendors.
• Duration and Operation: The journey from Nagano to Yudanaka station takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. The train operates once a day, primarily on weekends and holidays.

Conclusion

The comprehensive redevelopment of JR Hiroshima Station, spearheaded by the innovative elevated street car terminal, represents a significant leap in urban planning and public transportation integration. By enhancing convenience, increasing capacity, and creating a vibrant, multi-functional hub, Hiroshima is solidifying its position as a modern, accessible, and environmentally conscious city. This project, alongside unique tourist offerings like the Kitashano Wine Valley Train, showcases Japan's continuous innovation in railway infrastructure and tourism.