Onomichi to Hiroshima Transit: Flower Liner Bus vs. JR Sanyo Line 2026

When planning your journey from Onomichi to Hiroshima, you essentially have two main options:

the JR Sanyo Main Line train or the Flower Liner bus.

My ultimate destination wasn't Hiroshima Station itself, but rather the Hon-dori area. Taking the JR train would have meant multiple transfers, and with my luggage, I really wanted to avoid the hassle of switching trains and trams.

That's why I opted for the Flower Liner bus, which offers a direct ride to the Hiroshima Bus Center. Before my trip, I found limited information on the Flower Liner, making it tricky to pinpoint timetables and boarding locations.

If you're also planning to travel from Onomichi to Hiroshima, this guide is for you!

1) Flower Liner VS JR Sanyo Main Line

Initially, like most travelers, I considered the JR Sanyo Main Line as the default option.

However, once I realized there was a more convenient route for reaching the Hon-dori area (instead of just Hiroshima Station), I knew the JR train wasn't necessarily the best choice for me.

While the JR option is about 240 JPY cheaper, reaching Hon-dori or the Hiroshima Bus Center area from Hiroshima Station requires an additional tram ride. This means you'd end up making two transfers in total.

With luggage in tow, I found the idea of multiple transfers quite inconvenient, so I decided the slightly higher fare for the Flower Liner was worth the direct journey.

⚠️ If your final destination is Hiroshima Station, the JR Sanyo Main Line might be more economical. However, if you're heading to Hon-dori or the Hiroshima Bus Center area, the Flower Liner is significantly more convenient.

Flower Liner Boarding Location

📌 Boarding Point

Bus Stop #10, across from Onomichi Station South Exit

(Right next to Greenhill Hotel Onomichi)

First bus: 07:10 AM / Last bus: 05:45 PM

The official website's timetable was a bit confusing with all the Kanji, so I took a photo of the timetable directly at the bus stop.

No Mark → Operates daily

× Mark → Weekdays only

△ Mark → Weekends & Holidays only

Parentheses → Continues to Hiroshima Station

Be sure to check the bus's final destination before boarding, as only some services continue past the Hiroshima Bus Center to Hiroshima Station.

Flower Liner Boarding Review

The Flower Liner operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so if it's full, you'll have to wait for the next bus. I arrived with plenty of time to spare, but there weren't as many passengers as I expected.

Fares can be paid with cash or IC cards like Suica or ICOCA. If paying with cash, make sure to have the exact amount of 2,000 JPY, as change is not provided!

You'll load your luggage into the bus's cargo hold yourself.

Seating is open, so I grabbed a seat near the front. While Japanese buses aren't known for expansive legroom, there weren't many people on board, allowing me to recline my seat and enjoy a relaxed ride.

I sat near the front just in case I dozed off and missed my stop, even though the Bus Center is the final destination for most services – just a little travel secret! 🤫

The stop button is only for those getting off at intermediate stops. If you're heading to the Hiroshima Bus Center, it's a terminal stop for most services, so you don't need to press it!

After about an hour and a half, we arrived at the Hiroshima Bus Center. My hotel, the Rihga Royal Hotel, was just a 3-5 minute walk away, so even with my luggage, it was incredibly easy to get there.

Considering I avoided two transfers for an extra 240 JPY, this journey was absolutely worth it for me!

⬇️ For more detailed information on the Flower Liner, click here ⬇️

Hiroshima Hotel Recommendation: Rihga Royal Hotel near Airport Limousine, Hon-dori, Peace Memorial Parkblog.naver.com

Hiroshima Bus Center Airport Limousine Comprehensive Guideblog.naver.com