Hiroshima, Japan (広島、日本) - IPENG Student Guide

Getting from Kansai Airport to Hiroshima

These directions are based off an email that was sent to us the day before out departure for Japan.  You should, of course, follow any instructions given to you and treat this as only a guide.  You may have a totally different method of getting to HIT. 

Most likely, you will not be met at the airport, you will instead have to make your own way to Hiroshima.  I would strongly advise you to travel as a group.  Given that you don't know any Japanese, this will probably be pretty confusing.  Having other people to help will make it a whole lot easier.  Take your time, and don't rush.  If you miss a train you can just take the next one. 

General Procedure:

  1. Arrive in Kansai International Airport (KIX)
  2. Take Train to Shin-Osaka
  3. Take Shinkansen to Hiroshima
  4. Meet Japanese Helpers and Professor
  5. Take Bus to Dorm
  6. Settle in & crash for the night

At KIX:

  1. Follow the crowd to the baggage claim area
  2. Get your luggage (Each person must handle their own)
  3. Go through customs (Quick and painless)
  4. Stop at the currency exchange and get at least 20,000 Yen (<$200)
    1. Exchange in Kansai International Airport
      The currency exchange will be right outside the exit of the customs area.  There is one at either exit. 
  5. Follow signs & maps to the JR Station
    1. You will have exited on the first floor.  You will need to take the escalator up to the second floor and then head outward away from the terminal building.  (It should be a right.) The route is clearly marked in English.  FYI, the kanji for "station" is 駅 and the kanji for "train" is 電車. 

      1st (TOP) and 3rd (BOTTOM) Floors of Kansai International Airport
  6. Buy Train Tickets to Hiroshima, use either method:

    1. English Ticket Machine
      Find English Ticket Machine (far right), follow onscreen directions and purchase tickets.  We found the instructions somewhat confusing and weren't clear exactly how to buy the tickets.  Maybe you'll find it easier.
    2. Go to ticket office - The ticket office is on the far end of the ticket machines.  Inside they can help you get tickets to Hiroshima.  You will probably be able to use credit cards, but make sure you have enough Yen just in case.  When we were there, there was someone who spoke enough English to help us.  Here is some basic Japanese that might be useful:
      1. すみません。＝Sumimasen = Excuse me.
      2. えい語　わかります　か。＝Eigo wakarimasu ka? = Do you understand English?
      3. 広島　へ　いきたい　です。＝Hiroshima e ikitai desu = I want to go to Hiroshima.
      4. いくら　です　か。＝Ikura desu ka? = How much does it cost?
  7. Proceed through the ticket gates across from the ticket machines
    1. Just insert all the tickets (you'll have 3).  The machine will sort them and return the ones it doesn't need.
  8. Use public pay phones to call HIT and let them know what train you will be on
    1. You can buy phone cards at the machine next to the phones.  The phones are at the top of the stairs before you go down.  (Or at least they were.)
  9. Find the train to Shin-Osaka and get on the train
    1. You may have to ask for help in finding your train.  Just point at your ticket and ask どの　電車　です　か。 = Dono densha desu ka? = "Which train?". Not the most precise way of asking, but they should understand what you mean. 
    2. The train ride to Shin-Osaka takes about 45 minutes.  If I remember correctly it was either the first or second stop. 

At Shin-Osaka:

  1. Get off the train
  2. Find the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) section of the station
    1. You will once again have to put your tickets into the machine.  Just as before, let the machine figure out which ones it needs. 
    2. If you get lost ask the following question:
      1. しんかんせん　は　どこ　です　か。＝shinkansen wa doko desu ka? = Where is the shinkansen? 
  3. Find your train to Hiroshima

    1. Title: Shinkansen Station

      Title: Platform Sign
      The signs are in Japanese most of the time, but the electronic signs will display their information in English if you wait a minute or to.  Hiroshima will be listed under "stops at" not "destination". 
    2. Make sure you get a non reserved car.  Your tickets are only good for a non reserved seat.  You probably want to try for a non-smoking car too. 
    3. Don't worry if you miss a train.  They run about every 1/2 hour and you can just catch the next one. Better to miss your train, then to get on the wrong one. 
    4. As before it you need help just point at your ticket and ask someone: どの　電車　です　か。= Dono densha desu ka? = "Which train?".
    5. Once on board, listen for your stop.  Announcements will be made in English, but since the Japanese announcements come first, you sometimes need to be on your toes.  Also the signs will display their information in both Japanese and English.  There will be a couple of stops before Hiroshima. 

At Hiroshima: 

  1. Meet everyone, gather your luggage and follow directions (English!)
    1. You will be met when you get off the train.  If you are not, make your way out into the main area of the station and look around.  If you don't see anyone, find a public phone and call. 
    2. The Japanese students will be very glad to meet you.  Their English will be decent but not great, so expect to have to speak some Japanese and be patient.  Most of all just relax and have fun. 
  2. Ride the bus to the dorms
    1. The university will send a bus to pick you up and take you and your Japanese helpers to the dorms.  You'll probably get your room assignments on the way. 

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