Hiroshima Airport (HIJ) Guide: Getting to the City & Miyajima

Hiroshima Airport HIJ at a Glance

HIJ is the airport code for Hiroshima Airport, in Mihara. Distance to central Hiroshima is about 50 km. There is no direct train or metro link, so every route into the city is by road. Plan on roughly an hour each way, and add a buffer on departure days.

For wider trip context, start with our Japan Travel Guide: Plan Your Trip with Expert Tips & Itineraries. Once you know where you are sleeping, use the table below to pick a transfer. Blank cells mean the figure was not confirmed, so check before you travel.

Getting from HIJ to Hiroshima City by Limousine Bus

Limousine buses link the airport with Hiroshima Station and the Hiroshima Bus Center. Reported frequency is every 15–20 minutes. Journey time runs about 45–60 minutes, depending on stop and traffic. One competitor guide quotes a fare near ¥1,450, but fares change, so confirm the amount on the operator's timetable.

Trips are often coordinated with flight arrivals and departures. Check the schedule on the airport's official access page before you fly. The terminal also has a bus ticket machine, listed among its facilities.

After the ride, pick your next step in our Hiroshima attractions guide. Hiroshima Station is the natural base for most first visits.

HIJ to Miyajima-guchi: The Shared Taxi Option

A shared taxi runs between the airport and Miyajima-guchi, where the ferry to Miyajima departs. The official timetable is valid from 25 October 2026 to 31 January 2027. Schedules change by season, so recheck the page for later dates.

Key rules from the airport page:

• Fare: ¥3,900–¥4,000 one way, for adults and children alike.
• Reservation: at least 30 minutes before departure through Japan Bus Online. Same-day boarding is possible if seats remain.
• Capacity: a maximum of nine passengers.
• Baggage: a free baggage check service is available.
• Airport departures: the pattern starts at 08:55 and runs through 13:30.
• To the airport: departures from Miyajima-guchi run from 13:00 to 16:00.

Shared Taxi Timing and Delays

Airport departures assume a connection with domestic flights that arrive at least 15–20 minutes before the departure time. Buses may leave 10–20 minutes late if a flight runs behind. The 13:30 departure stops at certain Miyajima hotels only when they hold reservations.

For obvious flight delays on the day, call Hiroden Mobility Service on 082-208-5750. Natural disasters, heavy traffic and roadblocks can also affect timing. The same airport access section lists every public transport timetable.

Taxi, Rental Car and Parking

A taxi from the city takes about 40–50 minutes via the Sanyo Expressway. Expect a fare several times the bus fare. Groups with heavy luggage may still find it worthwhile.

Rental counters and car sharing are listed on the airport's transportation pages. Drivers need an International Driving Permit unless their country's licence arrangement says otherwise, and expressways charge tolls. Confirm both with your rental company. Parking details sit on the airport's own parking page, so check current rates there.

Inside the Terminal: Floor by Floor

HIJ uses one building for domestic and international flights. Arrivals are on 1F, departures on 2F, and restaurants plus an observation deck on 3F.

Before security, use this checklist:

• Eat: Okonomiyaki, Japanese cuisine, noodles and cafes are listed in the dining section.
• Shop: souvenirs, local specialties, lunchboxes and duty-free shops are listed.
• Store bags: baggage lockers are available.
• Change money: an ATM and currency exchange point are in the terminal.

Facilities That Save Time

The official facility list includes a hands-free travel service, express delivery and baggage lockers. Free Wi-Fi and mobile charging stations help if your arrival plans change. A working space and a cycle hub are also listed.

Families can use the kids' area and a room for nursing mothers. A prayer room is available. Gate lounges serve both domestic and international passengers. Confirm access services for mobility needs with the airport directly.

Departure Day: Timing Back from Your Flight

Work backwards from takeoff. Competitor guides suggest arriving 1.5–2 hours before domestic flights and 2.5–3 hours before international ones. One page says at least 3 hours for international, so treat your airline's own guidance as final.

Build the timeline in blocks:

• Start with your airline's check-in window.
• Add 45–60 minutes of bus time, or 40–50 minutes by taxi.
• Add a traffic buffer, since expressway delays are possible.
• Add time to reach the stop at your hotel or Hiroshima Station.
• Leave your hotel at the total of those blocks, not the minimum.

Flight Information and Delays

Live status belongs on the airport's flight pages, which update every 10 minutes. Daily information refreshes at 6:00 each morning. Delays and lags are possible, so confirm with your airline's website too.

If your plane lands late, do not cut a Miyajima transfer fine. A late arrival may suit a hotel near your destination better than a long transfer. Shared taxi seats assume a connecting flight, so ask your airline for the revised time first.

Matching the Transfer to Your Trip

First-timers with large cases should take the limousine bus to Hiroshima Station. Miyajima-bound visitors can use the shared taxi to Miyajima-guchi and the ferry. Travelers with a few spare hours can browse our best things to do in Hiroshima.

Planning longer? Our 3-day Hiroshima adventure itinerary shows how to fit active days around your flights. Peace Park details are on the city's official Peace Memorial Park page. Families can use the kids' area before boarding.

Common Mistakes at HIJ

Travelers often assume a train runs to the airport. None does. Others miss the 30-minute shared taxi reservation cutoff, or trust an old timetable after the season changes.

A third error is stacking a tight connection on a late flight. Keep a buffer, and call 082-208-5750 if your arrival is delayed.

Short Airport History

HIJ opened on 29 October 1993 and replaced Hiroshima-Nishi Airport, according to one competitor guide. Its runway was reportedly extended from 2,500 m to 3,000 m in 2001. Treat these as background and confirm with a government source if you need them.

For related deep-dives, see our Is Hiroshima Still Radioactive? What Visitors Should Know and Sanfrecce Hiroshima Match Guide: Tickets & Getting There guides.