hiroshima is a city of romen densha, or streetcars.
in fact, it's one of the few remaining cities with streetcars, as well as having the widest network. the trains run from hiroshima station, all the way out to miyajima, and branching out in all four directions.
the streetcars are run by hiroshima dentetsu, affectionately referred to as "hiroden" -- the hiroshima electric train company. there are 26 different types of streetcars, many of them older and retired streetcars from other cities that have been fixed up by hiroshima, that run on 9 different lines. it costs a flat-fare of 160 yen (for adults -- that's about $1.60), so no matter where you ride, the price doesn't change. convenient, right? for those who don't like fumbling for change, they have an IC card called PASPY that you can charge with up to 20,000 yen (or $200) and then just touch and go. you can also use PASPY on buses run by hiroden too!
plus trains usually come by at least every 10 minutes, and most stops will let you know the estimated arrival time of the next train, or at least which train is coming next.
these trains are essential for people like me who a) don't have a license, b) can't afford a car AND a parking spot in the city, c) want to lower their carbon footprint (my carbon footprint must be non-existent at this point). it's also a major mode of transportation for the morning and evening commute, not to mention for tourists, since it runs right up alongside of the peace memorial park and atomic dome site.
one of the newest trains, the piccola/piccolo series, decorates the outside for things like christmas, valentines day, and tanabata (summer star festival). for tanabata, they even go so far as to decorate the inside too, with stars and origami bamboo, along with wishes written by local kindergarteners. hmm...guess i should explain tanabata too, huh? it's the story of a girl (orihime) and boy (hikoboshi). orihime is a weaver, and she is very skilled at her job, i mean, she's crazy about weaving. hikoboshi is a farmer, and he's rather diligent as well. the two fall in love and get married and are indeed, very happy. however, orihime starts to loose her passion for weaving -- in fact, she stops altogether. her father gets angry about this and breaks up the happy couple, allowing them to meet only once a year (july 7).
this once-a-year meeting is even recreated using streetcars (there's a hikoboshi piccolo and an orihime piccola) -- the two cars "meet" at the atomic bomb dome station every summer. the event is held every year for the city's kindergarteners, who help to decorate the inside of the cars. little events like these just make it fun to live in hiroshima -- plus you get to see a different side of your everyday streetcars.
↑↑↑ decorated for tanabata ↑↑↑
below are some examples of streetcars in hiroshima -- note: i don't own these pictures, i'm just borrowing them from the web.
these are one of the best ways to get around the city -- i don't know what i'd do without them!
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