The Sanyo shinkansen links Osaka and Hiroshima in about an hour and a half, so Hiroshima works as a long day trip from Osaka or Kyoto and even better as an overnight stop. Trains leave Shin-Osaka several times an hour. Highway buses are cheaper but take around five hours.
By shinkansen
- Nozomi and Mizuho — the fastest trains, about one hour twenty to one hour thirty minutes from Shin-Osaka. The standard Japan Rail Pass does not cover them without an extra supplement ticket.
- Sakura trains — about one and a half hours, with a few more stops. Covered by the standard Japan Rail Pass.
- Hikari and Kodama — slower trains that stop more often; some need a change at Okayama.
From Kyoto, add about fifteen minutes to each time; many trains run through without a change. Our guide on how to ride the shinkansen explains tickets and seats.
By bus
Highway buses run from Osaka to Hiroshima by day and overnight in about five to six hours. They cost much less than the train and suit travellers on a tight budget, but they use up most of a day.
A day trip or a night?
A day trip from Osaka is possible: leave by 8:00, visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum in the morning, and take the train and ferry to Miyajima in the afternoon. It is a full day. Staying one night lets you see the great torii gate at both high and low tide and try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki in the evening.
Getting to Miyajima
From Hiroshima Station, take the JR Sanyo line to Miyajimaguchi in about twenty-five minutes, then the ferry, which takes ten minutes. The Japan Rail Pass covers the JR train and the JR ferry. Trams also run from the city centre to Miyajimaguchi, more slowly.
Tips
- Stop at Himeji. Himeji Castle is on the same line, about thirty minutes from Shin-Osaka; see our Himeji Castle day trip.
- Check the tide. The torii appears to float at high tide, and you can walk out to it at low tide.
- Reserve seats in spring, in August and around the New Year.
Our Hiroshima and Miyajima travel guide covers what to see once you arrive.
FAQ
How long is the train from Osaka to Hiroshima? About one hour twenty to one hour thirty minutes by shinkansen from Shin-Osaka.
Does the Japan Rail Pass cover Osaka to Hiroshima? Yes, on Sakura, Hikari and Kodama trains. Nozomi and Mizuho trains need an extra supplement ticket.
Can I visit Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day from Osaka? Yes, with an early start, but it is a long day. One night in Hiroshima is more comfortable.
How do I get from Hiroshima to Miyajima? Take the JR Sanyo line to Miyajimaguchi, about twenty-five minutes, and then the ten-minute ferry.
Planning Hiroshima for yourself, your family or your clients? Write to b2b@explera.jp or message us on WhatsApp at +66 93 656 8090 with your dates and group size, and we will reply within 24 hours. Explera is a destination management company for Japan — IATA TIDS 96215733, ASTA member 900408341.
