Korean Air starts daily Seoul Incheon–Hiroshima flights on December 23

Korean Air is launching daily Seoul Incheon–Hiroshima flights on December 23.

It is the first time Korean Air has flown to Hiroshima itself.
The first flight lands just before Christmas, which makes it handy for a year-end trip to a smaller Japanese city.

Schedule

From Korean Air’s August 24 announcement (in Korean).
Korea and Japan are in the same time zone.

The aircraft is an A321neo, the same type going back on the Incheon–Oita route from October 25, with Prestige and economy cabins.

A 10:35 departure from Incheon is reachable on an early train from outside Seoul.
The return leaves at 13:25, so the last day is a morning checkout and straight to the airport.

Around Hiroshima

Korean Air’s announcement highlights Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima, the Peace Memorial Park, the Shukkeien garden and hot spring towns like Tomonoura.
Miyajima and the Peace Memorial Park are often done together in one day.

The gate in the sea looks completely different with the tide.
At high tide it seems to float; at low tide you can walk right up to it.
Check the tide table for your day before deciding when to go.

Hiroshima is on the Sanyo Shinkansen, so it is easy to combine with nearby cities like Okayama.
Korean Air says it has also increased Incheon–Okayama to four flights a week, so flying into Hiroshima and out of Okayama is an option.
Check on the booking screen whether both can go on one ticket and what it costs.

From the airport

Hiroshima Airport is on high ground well outside the city.
Most people take the limousine bus into town; check times and journey length on the airport’s official site.
Landing at 12:15 leaves plenty of the first afternoon.

Before you book

The tax-free change is explained in the November 1 tax-free article.

Source: Korean Air newsroom – Incheon–Hiroshima launch
Announced August 24 · Checked September 26