I boarded the famed Shinkansen Bullet train from Tokyo Station to visit Hiroshima.
Foreign visitors must purchase the JR Pass or Japan Rail Pass, in advance, from their home country.
The JR Pass is not available once you reach Japan.
Without the JR Pass, the ticket rates for the bullet trains are exorbitant.
Besides the bullet train the JR Pass can be used for availing many other local bus services within Japan, like the free tourist bus in Hiroshima.
There is a separate section for the Shinkansen Bullet train at the station.
These are clearly marked.
The directions to the platforms are also clearly indicated.
The bullet trains normally arrive and depart on the upper floor of the station since they run on elevated tracks.
There are very limited facilities on the upper deck for waiting like benches, etc.
So, it is advisable to use the waiting rooms on the lower floor.
There is automatic gate access to the platforms.
The JR Pass itself can be used for this access. This is very convenient.
I inserted the JR Pass from one side, and it pops-out from the other side.
On the Hiroshima station, there are also visitor information centers with free Wi-Fi.
There is free Wi-Fi aboard the Shinkansen train as well.
Without the JR Pass, tickets can be easily purchased via machines installed in large numbers at the station.
Large and extra luggage must be booked additionally.
The first step to operate these displays is the switch the language to English,
This button is almost always in the top left corner of the display.
The station also has automatic cloakrooms.
Yellow tactile paths on the floor guide the visually impaired.
These tactile paths lead to the doors of the Shinkansen Bullet train.
The car number and the train names or line names are marked.
Besides that, station attendants are present for every car on the train and oversee the complete onboarding process.
Where to Stay
I did not stay in Hiroshima. The entire circuit including time spent at the monuments was around 2 hours.
Tourist Places in Hiroshima
Hiroshima Castle
Peace Memorial Park
Peace Memorial Museum
Atomic Bomb Dome
Orizuru Tower Observation Deck
Next post- Inside the Shinkansen Bullet Train - seating, storage, washrooms, etc.