Well, you know) I was browsing the internet one day, reading about the Geneva Motor Show) accidentally stumbled into some blogs) saw a new contest)) and off I went) I bet no one has been waiting for this interview longer than I have) waiting...ing...ng...g.... Well, yeah) when I first got the draft with the questions, it all started probably over a month ago) I was sitting on a forum reading people's messages (there was this little window on the side (I thought about using a different word, but remembered censorship), and I realized people had already started filling out the DS-160) and I thought, what about us??)) so I asked a guy (from Yekaterinburg, I think) to send me the draft they were given at their local office) the first time I read the questions, I was "slain" ) I laughed for a long time) I showed them to my friends)) they were hysterical too)) well, what can you do)) here are some examples of the questions: · Do you belong to a specific clan or tribe? (I thought about writing down some clan from WoW or Lineage, but I figured that's not what they meant here)) · Is the purpose of your trip to the USA to engage in prostitution or to facilitate prostitution? Have you engaged in prostitution or procurement within the last 10 years? (this question blew my mind.. I thought they were asking about the job offer, but no, the question turned out to be a trick)), but after thinking a bit, I answered no) after all, I have a job offer) and I need a job here)) although they say it's very profitable) · Have you ever participated in the implementation, encouragement, financing, or support of genocide policies? (well, this question is just beyond comment, how can you even ask such a thing))) · Have you ever held a US citizen child outside the US, whose custody was granted by a US court to another person? (damn, they really know which sore spots to press, (I'm talking about little J, whom we held captive at the age of 5, taking revenge on the Americans for Hiroshima))) but seriously, to me, these are stupid questions.. or the person who answers 'yes' is stupid) After successfully and thoroughly filling out the DS-160, I brought my passport and a photo (which turned out to be very scary, judging by the office representatives who were very surprised to see them), but let's not dwell on the bad)) let's wait.. not much left, by the way) March 11th, as they informed me... and how they informed me is a very interesting story)))

Hiroshima: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026
Residents navigate the flat delta on Hiroden streetcars instead of subways, budgeting ¥50,667 for a central room while cycling everywhere else.
- Limousine bus to JR Hiroshima Station
- ¥150,000
- Single ticket
- ¥24,000
- Local SIM card
- ¥273,000
- ¥1 today
- $0.01
- Monthly pass
- ¥100,000
Board streetcars and buses through the rear doors and pay the flat fare with cash or an IC card upon exiting.
- Coffee at the counter
- ¥43,750
- Lunch at a canteen
- ¥95,000
- Dinner out
- ¥375,800
- Beer at a bar
- ¥40,000
- Water, 0.5 l
- ¥10,500
Sources: 2 · As of September 5, 2026
- JR Hiroshima Station and airport transit
- English and Japanese
- Hiroden trams and public buses
- Japanese with English signage
- Tourist information centers and Peace Memorial Park
- English and Japanese
- Hosts who speak English
- 8
«これをお願いします» — Use when pointing to an item on a menu or display.
- 1 day
- Peace Memorial Park, Genbaku Dome, Hondōri
- 3 days
- + Hiroshima Castle, Museum of Art, Okonomi-mura
- 7 days
- + Contemporary Art Museum, Hijiyama Park, Mitaki-dera
A rebuilt streetcar metropolis spans the delta, pairing quiet memorial grounds with active manufacturing districts.
The urban core occupies a flat river delta on the Seto Inland Sea, structured around branching water channels. Instead of relying on an extensive subway network, daily commuters use the Hiroden streetcar system. The fleet operates vintage railcars acquired from other prefectures alongside modern carriages. Wide sidewalks and level bridges make bicycle commuting practical along the riverbanks and connecting roads.
Read on
Local dining centers on regional okonomiyaki, assembled on heated iron griddles directly in front of patrons. Cooks layer shredded cabbage, batter, noodles, pork, and egg rather than mixing ingredients beforehand like in Osaka. Commercial food buildings like Okonomi-mura gather independent griddle stalls under a shared roof. Seasonal bay oysters and maple-shaped momiji manju pastries anchor the traditional food trade.
Beyond the Peace Memorial Park and industrial plants run by Mazda, nightlife clusters in Nagarekawa and Yagenbori. Bars and music venues occupy upper floors of dense commercial blocks. Local regulations occasionally prompt late police checks at dance venues, during which foreign patrons must present their passports. Outside entertainment districts, the city maintains low crime rates and predictable municipal routines.
- Okonomiyaki
- Hiroden Streetcars
- Peace Memorial Park
- Nagarekawa Nightlife
- Automotive Industry
- Hiroshima operates the largest streetcar network in Japan after acquiring rolling stock from other cities.
- The A-Bomb Dome remains preserved as a ruin within the Hiroshima Peace Memorial grounds.
- Local okonomiyaki layers ingredients separately on a hot plate rather than mixing them into the batter.
- Mazda Motor Corporation maintains its global manufacturing base and corporate headquarters in the city.
Money
- Coffee
- ¥43,750
- Lunch at a canteen
- ¥95,000
- Dinner at a café
- ¥375,800
- Beer at a bar
- ¥40,000
- Single transit ticket
- ¥24,000
- Room, per month
- ¥5,066,667
- SIM card
- ¥273,000
- Bottle of water
- ¥10,500
Up to 50% of exchange programmes, internships and other IEC services can be paid with points.
4 sources · As of September 5, 2026
Getting there and staying
Host languages: japanese, english, cebuano, german, and french
Set your departure city to see flight prices by month.
- Limousine bus to JR Hiroshima Station
- ¥150,000
- Limousine bus to Hiroshima Bus Center
- ¥150,000
- Osaka≈ 3 hr 30 minHigh-speed rail connects directly to this commercial center renowned for regional food and urban entertainment.
- Kyoto≈ 3 hr 35 minThe former imperial capital features preserved shrines, historic wooden architecture, and traditional gardens.
- Tokyo≈ 4 hr 10 minDirect bullet trains reach the capital metropolis for major cultural centers and global transit connections.
- 01Pick up a prepaid data SIM card at the airport arrival lobby.
- 02Withdraw Japanese yen cash from an airport terminal automated teller machine.
- 03Take the direct airport limousine bus to the central railway station.
4 sources · As of September 5, 2026
Visa and practicalities
Choose a passport
Set your passport — processing time, fee and documents differ between passports.
- Japan Rail Pass holders cannot ride Nozomi or Mizuho express trains without paying an extra fee.
- Digital transit passes require an active internet connection when presented upon exit.
- Activated electronic transit tickets are non-refundable.
1 more rule
- Passengers on streetcars must pay the fare when exiting rather than boarding.
What makes Hiroshima okonomiyaki different from the Osaka style?
Hiroshima okonomiyaki layers its ingredients on the hot plate instead of mixing them into batter beforehand. The dish incorporates noodles and abundant cabbage beneath fried egg and savory sauce. Diners can select extra fillings such as oysters, pork, squid, or cheese.
Source: Wikipedia · WikivoyageHow does the streetcar system operate in Hiroshima?
The Hiroden light rail network runs streetcars throughout central districts and connects the main railway terminal to the harbor and outlying areas. Passengers board through marked doors and pay the flat fare upon exiting the carriage. Travelers can pay per trip or purchase regional passes that also cover local ferry connections.
Source: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage · Hiroshima Electric Railway - Economical TicketsHow do travelers reach downtown from Hiroshima Airport?
Direct airport limousine buses run between the passenger terminal and both Hiroshima Station and the central bus depot. Travelers seeking budget connections can board a shuttle bus to a nearby train station and continue into the center on the regional rail line. Taxis and private vehicle services also carry passengers directly to central hotel zones.
Source: Wikivoyage · Hiroshima Airport to City Center: Best Ways (2026)What should visitors know about nightlife safety and local regulations?
Violent offenses and street theft are uncommon throughout the city. The main nightlife cluster sits in the Nagarekawa and Yagenbori districts, where normal awareness regarding entertainment venues applies. Police occasionally carry out identity checks in late-night establishments, so foreign visitors should carry their passports.
Source: Wikivoyage · WikivoyageDoes the Japan Rail Pass cover inner-city transit?
Japan Rail Pass holders can ride the loop buses that connect Hiroshima Station with major civic landmarks and museums. The pass does not cover standard Hiroden streetcars or local metro transit lines. Passengers using trams and commuter rails must buy individual fares, digital transit passes, or regional travel cards.
Source: Wikivoyage · Hiroshima Electric Railway - Economical TicketsWhat regional foods and souvenirs are typical of Hiroshima?
The area is renowned for fresh oysters harvested along the coastal waters during cooler seasons. Maple-leaf pastries known as momiji manju are sold with sweet red bean, custard, matcha, and chocolate fillings across the prefecture. The pastries are available fresh near sightseeing spots and packaged in gift boxes at train stations.
Source: WikivoyageIs Hiroshima practical to explore by bicycle?
The flat river delta landscape and broad sidewalks make cycling an efficient transport option across central districts. Rental outlets operate through front desks at several major hotels and transport centers. Riders can hire electric-assist bicycles and return them to designated network stations around the city.
Source: Wikivoyage3 sources
Safety and health
Getting here
When to go and itineraries
- 09:00Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)Walk around the preserved ruin on the riverbank.
- 10:30Children's Peace MonumentObserve the memorial dedicated to student victims within Peace Memorial Park.
- 11:30Hiroshima Peace Memorial MuseumExamine exhibitions documenting the wartime destruction and aftermath.
- 14:00HondōriWalk through the pedestrian shopping avenue toward local dining spots.
- 10:00Hiroshima CastleTour the reconstructed castle keep featuring exhibits on the Edo period.
- 11:30Hiroshima Gokoku ShrineVisit the shrine complex situated within the castle walls.
- 13:30Hiroshima Museum of ArtView the gallery collection of French art.
- 09:30Hiroshima Peace Memorial ParkStroll through the open riverside grounds and central memorial structures.
- 11:30Hiroshima Prefectural Art MuseumBrowse the regional art galleries adjacent to Shukkei-en gardens.
- 14:00Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary ArtVisit the modern exhibition spaces located on Hijiyama Park.
Language and culture
Five phrases for the first day and where you can’t do without the language
English covers basic transit and major visitor sites. Major railway stations, airport transit links, and city trams provide English signage.
- これをお願いしますKore o onegaishimasu
- お会計をお願いしますO-kaikei o onegaishimasu
- 英語のメニューはありますかEigo no menyū wa arimasu ka
- おすすめは何ですかOsusume wa nan desu ka
- すみません、助けていただけますかSumimasen, tasukete itadakemasu ka
2 more phrases
- 外国人の入居は可能ですかGaikokujin no nyūkyo wa kanō desu ka
- 少し安くなりますかSukoshi yasuku narimasu ka
| Situation | Language |
|---|---|
| JR Hiroshima Station and airport transit | English and Japanese |
| Hiroden trams and public buses | Japanese with English signage |
| Tourist information centers and Peace Memorial Park | English and Japanese |
| International pubs and hotel restaurants | English and Japanese |
| Local okonomiyaki restaurants and markets | Japanese |
| Municipal ward offices and administrative counters | Japanese |
People who have been here
Stay longer on a programme
Work and Travel, internships, au pair and volunteering in Japan: visa, invitation and on-site support are handled by CMO International Programmes.
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Frequent questions about Hiroshima
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