How to Get to Hiroshima
A stop on the San’yo Shinkansen line, Hiroshima Station is easy and convenient to reach with local train, tram and bus services running from the station to the most popular destinations in the city. On this page you’ll find the following information:
— 15 Things to Do Around Hiroshima & Where to Stay
Hiroshima is a city known for the tragedy of its past and position as the first, and one of only two cities, to have been subjected to nuclear attack. The dropping of the bomb on August 6th 1945 and its ongoing, tragic aftermath is commemorated at sites throughout the city, most significantly at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Any first-time visitors should allow time to visit the park and Peace Memorial Museum while also allowing time to explore of is today yet again, a thriving and engaging city.
The following information is intended for international visitors, most of whom will have a Japan Rail (JR) Pass. For that reason, this page focuses on train travel and only uses buses in the absence of a good option to use the train network. Most but not all services are covered by the full JR Pass. Let’s start with the obvious question:
WHERE IS HIROSHIMA?
Hiroshima is the largest city in Hiroshima Prefecture and for many international visitors, the furthest point west they will travel during their time in Japan. It is located approximately 325km to the west of Osaka, a journey that takes as little as 80 minutes thanks to the San’yo Shinkansen / ‘Bullet Train’ running from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station. A pleasant and highly-liveable city, Hiroshima’s history is of course tragic but should not define it. The city and surrounding region are worth visiting for many reasons, especially for travellers heading further west onto Kyushu or back toward Osaka and central Japan.
HOW TO GET TO HIROSHIMA
In this section you will find information how to reach Hiroshima from the following starting points:
FUKUOKA / OKAYAMA / HIMEJI / KOBE / OSAKA / KANSAI AIRPORT / NAGOYA / TOKYO / NARITA AIRPORT / HANEDA AIRPORT / NAGANO / KANAZAWA
We endeavour to keep this information as up-to-date as possible and in recognition that most international visitors will be using the train network to move around Japan, most directions are for using the trains. If there is alternative option i.e. express or local bus, that is notably faster or economical, we also include that information.
FROM FUKUOKA / between 65 to 85 minutes
Located in Fukuoka, Hakata Station is the western terminus of the San’yo Shinkansen making it an easy point from where to reach Hiroshima. The journey takes 65 to 85 minutes (depending on which service you choose) / JPY8570. There are frequent services throughout the day.
FROM OKAYAMA / between 40 to 60 minutes
Okayama Station is also a stop on the San’yo Shinkansen, making it quick and easy to move from there to Hiroshima. The journey takes 40 to 60 minutes (depending on which service you choose) / JPY5610.
FROM HIMEJI / between 60 to 85 minutes
From Himeji Station, take the San’yo Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station – a journey of between 60 to 85 minutes (depending on which service you choose) / JPY7910.
FROM KOBE / between 70 to 105 minutes
Shin-Kobe Station is yet another stop on the San’yo Shinkansen line, making Hiroshima quick and easy to reach from Kobe. Regular services throughout the day run between Shin-Kobe Station and Hiroshima Station, taking 70 to 105 minutes (depending on which service you choose) / JPY9670.
FROM OSAKA / between 80 to 115 minutes
Shin-Osaka Station is the eastern terminus of the San’yo Shinkansen, making it another easy starting point from where to reach Hiroshima. There are frequent services throughout the day, taking 80 to 115 minutes (depending on which service you choose) / JPY9890 to reach Hiroshima Station.
FROM KANSAI AIRPORT / 95 to 120 minutes*
The easiest way to reach Hiroshima by train from Kansai International Airport is to take the Limited Express ‘Haruka’ to Shin-Osaka Station – 50 minutes – and then switch to the San’yo Shinkansen bound for Hiroshima – a total journey time of 155 minutes / JPY11,480. Alternatively, you can take local lines to reach Shin-Osaka Station however they take around 30 minutes longer and require multiple transfers. For that reason, we recommend using the service above using the Limited Express ‘Haruka’.
*this journey can be notably longer depending on your transfer time and the services running from Shin-Osaka Station.
FROM NAGOYA / between 140 to 175 minutes
Nagoya Station is a stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen line with some services running directly onto Hiroshima. Services run regularly through the day, taking around 140 to 175 minutes (depending on which service you choose) / JPY13,540 – noting that some services require you to transfer at Shin-Osaka Station or Shin-Kobe Station.
FROM TOKYO / between 235 to 285 minutes
As the terminus of the Tokaido Shinkansen line, Tokyo Station is a convenient starting point from where to reach Hiroshima. Frequent services depart Tokyo throughout the day, taking 235 to 285 minutes / JPY18,380 to reach Hiroshima – noting that some services require you to transfer at Shin-Osaka Station or Shin-Kobe Station.
FROM NARITA AIRPORT / approx. 310 minutes
From Narita Airport, you can take either the Narita Express (NEX) to Tokyo Station or the Keisei Skyliner to Nippori and switch to a local line to reach Tokyo Station. Once there, transfer to a shinkansen service bound for Hiroshima. The total journey takes around 310 minutes and costs around approx. JPY21,000 – noting that while the NEX and shinkansen services are covered by the JR Pass, the Keisei Skyliner is not.
FROM HANEDA AIRPORT / approx. 270 minutes
From Haneda Airport, take the Keikyu Main / Airport Line Rapid service to Shinagawa Station – a journey of only 15 minutes – and then switch to the shinkansen bound for Hiroshima Station – a total journey time of around 270 minutes / approx. JPY19,000.
FROM NAGANO / approx. 330 to 350 minutes
When heading to Hiroshima from Nagano Station, you can do so via Nagoya or Tokyo. To do so via Nagoya, take the Limited Express ‘Shinano’ from Nagano to Nagoya Station and switch to a shinkansen service bound for Hiroshima Station – a total journey time of around 330 minutes / JPY17,170. Alternatively, to do so via Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Nagano to Tokyo Station and switch shinkansen services to one bound for Hiroshima – approx. 340 to 350 minutes / JPY23,660.
FROM KANAZAWA / approx. 255 to 275 minutes
From Kanazawa Station, take the Limited Express ‘Thunderbird’ service to Kyoto Station, and once at Kyoto, switch to a shinkansen service bound for Hiroshima – a total journey of 255 to 275 minutes / JPY15,170.
15 THINGS TO DO AROUND HIROSHIMA & WHERE TO STAY
Hiroshima occupies a poignant and tragic position in the global consciousness and the gravity of its history dictates that many international visitors include the city on their itineraries in a manner of pilgrimage and solemn reflection of what took place there. Wonderfully commemorated in the city’s Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, visitors can do just while also discovering a thriving and vibrant city that ranks as one of Japan’s enjoyable metropolitan destinations. Our ’15 Things to Do Around Hiroshima & Where to Stay’ page has some great suggestions of what’s on offer including nearby Miyajima and its famous seabound ‘torii’ gate and seaside shrine complex, along with the best places to stay in and around the city.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO JAPAN
Heading to Hiroshima using the rail system is quick, easy and comfortable. Unfathomable in its size and efficiency, moving around the country by train opens-up all regions of Japan for exploration. Our ‘Plan Your Visit’ page has everything you need to know about visiting Japan – from tips on the best time to travel, times to avoid, entering and exiting the country, money matters, staying connected, accommodation, staying safe and healthy and plenty more to ensure that you get the most out of your time here.
