| Hiroshima |
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Getting there Getting from Tokyo to Hiroshima is going to be expensive any way you look at it. The cheapest option is to take the night bus from Tokyo station, which costs \12,060 one-way or \22,000 for a return ticket (used within seven days). The bus leaves Tokyo at 8pm every day and arrives in Hiroshima twelve hours later. It's extremely comfortable for a bus - you get slippers, a blanket and a chair which reclines almost flat so you should be able to sleep. It has the added advantage of saving you time and a night's accommodation. The second option is the Shinkansen, which will set you back \17,700 one-way. The Hikari takes five hours, or you can pay an extra \2000 and take the Nozomi and arrive in four hours. If money's no object and you want to save time then, obviously, your best bet is to fly from Haneda. A one-way ticket with ANA, JAS or JAL costs around \21,600 and the flight takes one hour and fifteen minutes. Places to Stay Hiroshima Youth Hostel is in the city centre, but it is spacious, relaxed and cheap - there is a special price for gaijin visitors, of \1940 per night, in peak season, or \1770, off peak. There is also a selection of ryokan and minshuku, near the station and near the Peace Park. Especially recommended is the Minshuku Ikedaya which has friendly English-speaking staff and pleasant rooms in a good location, walking distance from the city centre. There are numerous business and high class hotels in the city; the ANA Hotel Hiroshima is generally accepted to be the best of the lot, with singles from \10,000, doubles from \20,000. Dinner Dinner is \750 and a buffet breakfast is \450. Curfew is 10pm. The hostel has large traditional-style bathrooms for men and women and there is also an outdoor pool for the summer. Getting around The quickest way to get to the hostel from downtown is to take the Astram line (from Hondori or Kencho-mae underground stations) to Ushita (\220). From there, keep walking away from the city until you see the signs - it's a ten-minute walk. Once there, getting around the city is very easy on the good tram network which costs a flat \150 to any destination. From the center of Hiroshima, a 55-minute tram ride and ten minute ferry hop will get you onto Miyajima. Take tram number 2 of the Hiroshima Dentetsu (tel 0829-56-0152) to the Hiroden Miyajima station, and take any ferry (\340 round trip) across. JR trains will take only 20 to 30 minutes from central Hiroshima to Miyajima-guchi station (\390) where you may then catch the ferry. The JR ferry heads closest to the torii during the crossing, so it has the best views for your snapshots. Give yourself at least one full day if you want to explore this beautiful World Cultural Heritage site properly. |
