Hiroshima New Transit Line 1, better known as the Astram Line, is a manually driven people mover operated by Hiroshima Rapid Transit in Hiroshima, Japan. It opened on August 20, 1994, to serve the 1994 Asian Games and links central Hiroshima with the city’s northwestern area. The line has become an important part of local transport and city transport, with a second JR connection added at Shin-Hakushima in 2015. Its name blends the Japanese word “asu,” meaning tomorrow, with “tram,” reflecting a future-facing transport system.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| Official name | Hiroshima New Transit Line 1 |
| Common name | Astram Line |
| Operator | Hiroshima Rapid Transit |
| Type | Manually driven people mover |
| Opening date | August 20, 1994 |
| Length | 18.4 km / 11.4 miles |
| Stations | 22 |
| Route | Hondōri to Kōiki-kōen-mae |
| JR connections | Shin-Hakushima and Ōmachi |
| Tram connections | Hondōri and Kenchō-mae |
Metro Map of Hiroshima
Map of Hiroshima Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Hiroshima Metro map in PDF format.
Lines and Stations
The Astram Line system has one route only. It runs for 18.4 km (11.4 miles) from Hondōri Station in Naka-ku to Kōiki-kōen-mae Station in Asaminami-ku and serves 22 stations. For anyone checking a stations map or stations list, this is the full path train route across Hiroshima’s northwestern corridor.
Stations
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Hondōri | Southern terminal in central Hiroshima; connection to Hiroshima tramway lines 1, 3, and 7. |
| Kenchō-mae | Connection to Hiroshima trams lines 1, 2, and 6. |
| Jōhoku | Intermediate station on the route. |
| Shin-Hakushima | Transfer station for the San’yō Main Line and Kabe Line. |
| Hakushima | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Ushita | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Fudōin-mae | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Gion-shinbashi-kita | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Nishihara | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Nakasuji | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Furuichi | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Ōmachi | Transfer station with the Kabe Line. |
| Bishamondai | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Yasuhigashi | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Kamiyasu | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Takatori | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Chōrakuji | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Tomo | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Ōbara | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Tomo-chūō | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Ōzuka | Intermediate station on the line. |
| Kōiki-kōen-mae | Northern terminal in Asaminami-ku. |
Shin-Hakushima and Ōmachi connect with regional train services, while Hondōri and Kenchō-mae link the line to Hiroshima’s tram network. The system does not directly serve the airport.
Fares are collected at the gates. The lowest fare is ¥190 ($1.67), and PASPY card users can also get subscription passes. The line is not a 24-hour service, so it’s worth checking the published operating hours before you travel.
Prices and Subscriptions
The Astram Line uses a distance-based fare system, so the fare and ticket price depend on how far you travel. A single ticket starts at ¥190 ($1.67). Tickets can be bought from vending machines where available, and PASPY card payment is also accepted at the gates.
For regular riders, PASPY can be used as a pass for subscriptions. Passengers need to complete a form and submit it at the customer service booth at stations such as Kenchō-mae, Shin-Hakushima, Ōmachi, and Kōiki-kōen-mae. The initial card deposit is ¥500 ($4.39), and the card can be recharged up to ¥20,000 ($175.79).
Example single-trip fares:
- Hondōri to Shin-Hakushima: ¥190 ($1.67)
- Hondōri to Fudōin-mae: ¥230 ($2.02)
- Hondōri to Nishihara: ¥270 ($2.37)
- Hondōri to Ōmachi: ¥320 ($2.81)
- Hondōri to Takatori: ¥360 ($3.16)
- Hondōri to Ōbara: ¥400 ($3.51)
- Hondōri to Ōzuka: ¥440 ($3.87)
- Hondōri to Kōiki-kōen-mae: ¥480 ($4.22)
Monthly, three-month, and six-month subscription options are available for different travel distances. Full-time students can receive a 30% discount with the PASPY card, and primary school children can apply for a discount card. Children under four travel free, and people over 65 can travel free with identification. Discounts are also available for people with disabilities, and groups of 15 or more can apply for a group discount.
A day pass is available too: ¥900 ($7.91) for adults and ¥450 ($3.96) for children. No fare calculator is provided in the source material.
Schedule and Frequency
The Astram Line timetable runs daily from early morning until just after midnight. If you are checking opening hours, working hours, opening times, or timings today, service from Hondōri starts at 5:39 a.m. Trains from Kōiki-kōen-mae start at 6:02 a.m. The last train arrives at 11:51 p.m., and stations close at 12:37 a.m.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Starting time from Hondōri | 5:39 a.m. |
| Starting time from Kōiki-kōen-mae | 6:02 a.m. |
| Last departure from Hondōri | 11:36 p.m. |
| Last train arrival | 11:51 p.m. |
| Station closing time | 12:37 a.m. |
| Peak frequency | About every 2 minutes 30 seconds |
| Weekday off-peak frequency | About every 10 minutes |
| Weekday afternoon rush frequency | About every 6 to 8 minutes |
| Night frequency | About every 10 to 20 minutes |
| Saturday and public holiday daytime frequency | About every 10 minutes |
| Saturday and public holiday evening frequency | About every 15 to 20 minutes |
During the morning rush, trains are most frequent, with a frequency of roughly every 2 minutes 30 seconds. On weekdays, off-peak service is usually every 10 minutes, while the afternoon rush sees trains every 6 to 8 minutes. At night, the running time between departures stretches to 10 to 20 minutes.
On Saturdays and public holidays, the schedule stays fairly simple: about every 10 minutes during the day, then every 15 to 20 minutes in the evening. For the latest schedule today or train schedule details, it is best to use the published route timetable.
Connections
The Astram Line connects with Hiroshima’s wider public transport network at several key stations. That makes it useful for transportation in Hiroshima, whether you are heading into the city center, moving between neighborhoods, or connecting to regional rail.
Tram connections
At Hondōri Station, passengers can transfer to Hiroshima Electric Railway tram lines 1, 3, and 7. At Kenchō-mae Station, the line connects with tram lines 1, 2, and 6. These tramway links make the Astram Line especially practical for local transport in central Hiroshima.
Regional train connections
Shin-Hakushima Station offers transfers to the San’yō Main Line and the Kabe Line. Ōmachi Station also connects with the Kabe Line. These are the main regional rail links on the route plan.
Airport access
The Astram Line does not provide direct service to Hiroshima Airport. Travelers need to transfer at Shin-Hakushima Station to continue the journey by regional train.
Tickets and payment
Fares are collected at the gates. The lowest fare is ¥190 ($1.67), and passengers can use the PASPY card for subscriptions and regular travel.
Useful note
The line runs roughly from 5:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and does not operate 24 hours a day, so always check operating hours and the last train before late trips.
Connection to the Airport
The Astram Line does not serve Hiroshima Airport directly. Still, the airport can be reached by public transport with a transfer at Shin-Hakushima Station.
From the Astram Line, transfer to a San’yō regional train and continue to Nyuno Station. The trip from downtown Hiroshima to the airport takes about 1 hour 25 minutes. From there, the Hiroshima Airport Limousine Bus runs every 40 minutes and takes around 12 minutes to reach the main airport entrance.
The bus fare is ¥580 ($5.10). This airport route also works in the opposite direction for travelers arriving in Hiroshima. If you are planning the connection, leave enough time for the train-to-bus transfer.
Parking near the Metro
The Astram Line runs entirely within Hiroshima, so station parking depends on where you want to start your trip. If you are driving, it makes sense to choose a station based on your destination rather than looking for one single park-and-ride hub.
Useful stations include Hondōri and Kenchō-mae for downtown access, Shin-Hakushima for transfer options, and Ōmachi for Kabe Line connections. The route continues north to Kōiki-kōen-mae, the terminal station.
Because the Astram Line is part of Hiroshima’s wider transport system, parking near a station and continuing by rail can be a practical option, especially for trips toward central Hiroshima or the northern suburbs. Station names are shown in English at major stations, which helps visitors get around a bit more easily.
- Choose station parking based on your destination.
- Central stations are useful for downtown access.
- Shin-Hakushima and Ōmachi are the main transfer stations.
The source material does not provide parking charges, parking charges per day, or a station parking price list.
Rules
To use the system safely, all passengers over the age of four must have a valid ticket. Children under four must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Bags and parcels should not obstruct other passengers, and pushchairs must be folded before entering the metro. Running on platforms is not allowed, and passengers should stay behind the yellow line at all times.
Smoking is prohibited in Astram Line facilities. Alcohol and illegal substances are also prohibited in stations and on trains, and anyone under the influence is not allowed to use the subway.
Flammable materials, fireworks, explosives, firearms, and bladed weapons may not be carried without the required authorization. Littering on the tracks is prohibited, and passengers may not enter the driver’s cab.
Do not obstruct train doors when they open or close, and do not distract staff. Physical or verbal abuse, begging, and unauthorized entry into staff-only areas are not tolerated.
Commercial activity, as well as the distribution of leaflets or advertising material, requires prior authorization. Follow staff instructions and keep to the right when moving through stations.
History
Plans for a new transit system linking Hiroshima city center with the northwestern suburbs were first proposed in July 1977. The project moved forward with the establishment of Hiroshima Rapid Transit in 1987, a third-sector company funded mainly by the City of Hiroshima.
Construction began on February 28, 1989, and continued for five years. During the project, a fatal accident occurred on March 14, 1991, when a girder collapsed near the Kamiyasu station construction site, killing 14 people.
The line opened for revenue service on August 20, 1994, ahead of the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima. At opening, it had 21 stations and connected central Hiroshima with Hiroshima Big Arch, the main stadium for the Games. At that time, Ōmachi was the only transfer station with a JR West line.
On March 14, 2015, Shin-Hakushima opened between Hakushima and Jōhoku, creating a second JR connection and adding a transfer point with the San’yō Main Line.
In January 2025, Hiroshima Rapid Transit announced fare increases of up to ¥30 ($0.26) per ride, the first fare increase since the line opened in 1994 aside from sales tax-related changes. The new fares are scheduled to take effect in October 2025.
Also in 2025, the line’s 6000 series vehicles were scheduled to end commercial operation on May 18, marked by a departure ceremony at Hondori Station.
Fun Facts and Tips
The Astram Line opened for the 1994 Asian Games and still plays a practical role in Hiroshima public transport today. It links the center with northwestern districts and gives riders an easy way to connect to JR lines and trams.
One interesting detail: Hondōri is the lowest station on the line, 11.4 meters underground. Arrival music is played when trains come in, and the train honks when it stops, which gives the system a distinctive feel.
For sightseeing, several stations are handy. Hondōri is near Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Jōhoku and Kenchō-mae are near Hiroshima Castle, Chōrakuji offers access to the Hiroshima City Transport Museum, and Kōiki-kōen-mae is just steps from Big Arch Stadium.
If you plan to ride, tickets are bought from vending machines at station gates, and a 1-Day Ticket is available for unlimited travel. Trains run daily from early morning until around midnight, with peak frequency as short as 2 minutes 30 seconds.
For transfers, Shin-Hakushima is the key station for JR connections, while Ōmachi also connects with the Kabe Line. Simple, useful, and easy to follow once you know the route.
Future Expansions
The source material says a future expansion to the west has been planned for the Astram Line, but it does not include further details about the route, timeline, or any new stations.
What is confirmed is ongoing fleet renewal. Hiroshima Rapid Transit has been replacing older 1000- and 6000-series trains with new six-car 7000-series sets, with deliveries scheduled in batches through FY2024.
In January 2025, fare increases of up to ¥30 ($0.26) per ride were announced, with the changes scheduled for October 2025. This is the first fare increase since 1994 apart from sales tax adjustments.
Nearby Attractions
The Astram Line is well placed for several of Hiroshima’s best-known sights, including Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien, the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and the Hiroshima Museum of Art. For visitors using city transport to explore the city, it is a very practical line.
For travelers interested in history, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park area includes the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Children’s Peace Monument, the Peace Memorial Monument, and the National Hiroshima Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. Hiroshima Castle and its surrounding grounds are also nearby.
Fudōin Temple is another useful stop and is described in the source material as easy to reach from Fudōin-mae Station. If you want a quieter break from central Hiroshima sightseeing, this is a good option.
- Hiroshima Castle
- Shukkeien
- Atomic Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
- Children’s Peace Monument
- Hiroshima Museum of Art
- Fudōin Temple
Several guided tours and activities also focus on these landmarks, especially Peace Park and Miyajima, making the Astram Line a useful part of local transport for sightseeing days.