Hiroshima and Miyajima are very popular and obviously these are “Big Name”s in Japan. Some of you want to visit these place but you may be hesitating to visit there because of tight schedule.
If you stay in Osaka or Kyoto, Hiroshima and Miyajima can be visited as day trip. If you can stay there for even one night, that is much better. But you may prefer to have “Baggage Free” day trip.
In this post, I show you sample itinerary to visit Hiroshima and Miyajima as day trip.
From Osaka / Kyoto to Hiroshima
If you stay in Osaka, get Shin-Osaka station to catch the Shinkansen. If you stay in Kyoto, you can catch the Shinkansen at Kyoto station.
If you use JR Pass, as probably you know, you cannot take Nozomi and Mizuho. Only Hikari, Sakura and Kodama are covered by JR Pass. But there are a few Hikari that take you to Hiroshima from Kyoto directly. Please check the Shinkansen timetable in JR Central official site:
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
As of September 2019, only these following Shinkansen trains which are covered by JR Pass go directly to Hiroshima from Kyoto.
Hikari 481
Kyoto 07:20 – Shin-Osaka 07:35 – Hiroshima 09:06
Hikari 493
Kyoto 08:00 – Shin-Osaka 08:14 – Hiroshima 09:56
Hikari 495
Kyoto 08:23 – Shin-Osaka 08:39 – Hiroshima 10:35
If you miss these trains, you have to transfer trains at Shin-Osaka in most cases.
If you do not use JR Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass is recommended.
This pass is sold at 13,000 yen. This is cheaper than round trip fare to Hiroshima from Shin-Osaka. But this pass does not cover the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to the east. You cannot take the Shinkansen from Kyoto. If you stay in Kyoto and intend to use this pass, you have to take other trains on the conventional lines to get Shin-Osaka from Kyoto. Special Rapid train runs every 15 minutes and connects Kyoto and Shin-Osaka in less than 30 minutes.
Trip to Miyajima
If you go to Miyajima first, you need to transfer to a local train at Hiroshima station. If you have 10 minutes, you can transfer. Local trains run every 10 to 15 minutes to Miyajimaguchi that is the nearest station to the ferry to Miyajima. And it takes about 30 minutes to get Miyajimaguchi. I have visited Miyajima and wrote about access there from Hiroshima before. Please find more information at the link below:
Most of you spend half day in Miyajima and half day in city of Hiroshima. You can visit either Miyajima or Hiroshima at first. But if you want to walk down floating Torii gate at Itsukushima shrine in Miyajima, you visit there at low tide. You can find updated tide table of Miyajima at this fishing site.
You will spend 45 minutes for each way from Hiroshima to Miyajima. I suggest you to have 4 hours, 2 hours transfer and 2 hours sightseeing, for Miyajima.
Sightseeing in Hiroshima
Most of sites are very accessible from Hiroshima station by street car. And also JR tourist bus “Meipuru-pu” takes you to most places in Hiroshima.
Hisoshima Sightseeing Loop Bus, “Meipuru-pu”
This bus is covered by JR Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass.
If you want to see more places that is not covered by this loop bus, you can take Hiroshima Railway’s street car, a.k.a. “Hiro-den”. One day pass is 600 yen.
Hiroshima Electric Railway economical ticket
If you spend 4 hours for Miyajima, you still have 7 hours for Hiroshima until the last Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka. You may add some more time for Miyajima. It depends on how many places you want to see in Hiroshima.
From Hiroshima to Kyoto / Shin-Osaka
There is no direct Shinkansen trains from Hiroshima to Kyoto. If you take the last Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka, there is no Shinkansen trains to Kyoto. Even if you have JR Pass, you have to take local train to Kyoto. Please see Shinkansen timetable below:
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
As of September 2019, these Shinkansen trains will be your last departure to Shin-Osaka.
Hikari 444
Hiroshima 21:58 – Shin-Osaka 23:32
Mizuho 612 (Sanyo San’in Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass user only)
Hiroshima 22:12 – Shin-Osaka 23:37
If you have to take the subway to get Namba or other subway stations, it is no problem. The last subway departs from Shin-Osaka is 0:02. Usually you can transfer from Shinkansen to subway in 10 minutes.
If you have to go back to Kyoto, the last train is Special Rapid 00:30 departure to Kyoto. But if you take this train, you can get Kyoto but you cannot get any other places in Kyoto by the public transportation. If you do not stay around Kyoto station, take earlier Shinkansen train.
Sample itinerary
My suggested itinerary is as follows:
From Shin-Osaka
08:04 Shin-Osaka
Sakura 547
09:34 Hiroshima
10:00 Hiroshima
Local train
10:27 Miyajimaguchi
10:40 Miyajimaguchi
Ferry
10:50 Miyajima
From Kyoto
08:00 Kyoto
Hikari 493
09:56 Hiroshima
10:15 Hiroshima
Local train
10:41 Miyajimaguchi
10:50 Miyajimaguchi
Ferry
11:00 Miyajima
Sightseeing and easy lunch at Miyajima.
Same itinerary for Osaka and Kyoto departure after visiting Miyajima.
13:30 Miyajima
Ferry
13:40 Miyajimaguchi
13:58 Miyajimaguchi
Local train
14:25 Hiroshima
Sightseeing and dinner at Hiroshima. Enjoy Hiroshima Okonomiyaki (savory pancake Hiroshima style) for your dinner!
20:52 Hiroshima
Sakura 570
22:21 Shin-Osaka
If you take Sakura 570, you can get back to any places in Osaka and Kyoto by public transportation.
At last, I recommend you to take Sakura (or Mizuho) than Hikari (or Nozomi) if you take a seat in the reserved car. Because the reserved seat accommodation is much better. Sakura and Mizuho has 2+2 layout. Hikari and Nozomi have 2+3 layout. Sakura and Mizuho’s reserved seat is much wider. You find many photo of seat and interior at the link below:
If you have extra day in Osaka or Kyoto, you may consider to add Hiroshima and Miyajima day trip.
Comments
Dear Takeshi,
My husband and I will be visiting Japan during Sakura season, arriving into Osaka on 7th April and departing Osaka on 14th April. Our plan is to go from Osaka-Hiroshima-Miyajima-Kyoto (day trip to Nara during the time we are in Kyoto)-Osaka. Do you think this will be the best route to cover these areas? We want to stay overnight in Hiroshima at least one night. From what I have read, a day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima will be a lot to cover. I am thinking that we travel to Hiroshima from Osaka and explore Hiroshima that day. Stay overnight in Hiroshima. Then explore Miyajima the next day and head to Osaka. The only issue will be where we store our luggage on the day we go to Miyajima.
And is there any other places you would recommend? We are looking to travel via bullet/fast train between cities. Would we be able to cover this route on the JR Pass?
Kind regards,
Deepa
Hi Deepa,
Your plan is okay. You can use Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hiroshima-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-both-kansai-and-hiroshima.html
Himeji and Kurashiki are located on the way to Hiroshima. But you can make a day trip from either Kyoto or Osaka. But Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass does not cover Shikansen (bullet train) between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka. You have to take ordinary train, like Special rapid or local train from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka and transfer to Shinkansen.
There are lots of lockers in major stations. If you book your hotel near Hiroshima station, you can leave your baggage at the hotel. You can pick up after trip to Miyajima.
This pass covers trip to Nara from Kyoto too. So try to put other than Kyoto in this 5 days. In Kyoto, you can use subway/bus deal.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I will travel to Japan end of March 2016 for 2 weeks. I will go with my husband and my youngest son (10 months old). Our plan is to go Tokyo, Hiroshima, Fuji, Osaka and Kyoto. Is it recommended to take a day trip since I travel with a baby? I would like to purchase JR rail pass for 7 days and use the ticket to go to Hiroshima.
Thank you.
Hi Abby,
It’s hard to say what the best plan is for your son. If you make day trips, trip time is longer. If you stay in each places, trip time is shorter. But you have pack and unpack your luggage many times. So you can choose which plan is better for you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I am planning to do a day trip to hiroshima and miyajima. I understand that that 31st and 1 jan is a long public holiday for Japan. Is it advisable to visit hiroshima and miyajima on 30th Dec, 31st Dec or 1st Jan?
Thank you
Hi WL,
Actually the beginning and end of holidays are busy period. Dec 31 and Jan 1 are slow. It’s not hard to take Shinkansen. But many places are closed on Jan 1 and closed early on Dec 31. It may be hard to find the restaurant on Jan 1. And also Japanese visit shrine on New Years day to pray. Miyajima is very busy on Jan 1.
I think Dec 30 is the best day to visit there.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
will be visiting Japan in Dec for 12Days. I’ll be arriving and depart from Osaka. So planning to visit Osaka,Kyoto,Nagoya,Nara,Kobe,Hiroshima,Miyajima. Is it do-able? And what pass would you recommend?
Thinking to include a night at onsen town form kobe (either Aima Onsen or Kinosaki Onsen)
Kindly advise
Hi Kimmy,
You can make all places in 12 days.
Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass are recommended.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hiroshima-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-both-kansai-and-hiroshima.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hiroshima-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-both-kansai-and-hiroshima.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you so much on ya suggestion on the rail pass. I had a brief read on both pass covered area.
Guess I can use Kintetsu Rail Pass (5days) for traveling to Kyoto, Nara & Nagoya.
Then Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass (5days) for Kobe, Hiroshima/Miyajima & Kinosaki Onsen.
And using single fare ticket during my stay within Osaka.
Am i right?
And since i will be arriving osaka at 10.30pm only guess I wont be needing the Kansai WIDE?
Hi Kimmy,
Your planning is right.
You cannot purchase a pass at Kansai airport station anyway. The ticket window is closed at 23:00. You may need to take midnight bus. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-access-to-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe-from-late-arrival-flight-at-kansai-airport-kix.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Is there a kind of Pass from Osaka to Hiroshima that is valid for use on trains with reserved seating? Is there extra fee to make seat reservation when using a Pass?
If we will also travel from Osaka to Mie to visit Nabana No Sato and Hiroshima, what is the best pass to purchase?
Thank you.
Hi TM,
Sanyo Sanin Area Pass and JR pass covers reserved seat fee. But these are too expensive your trip. Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass is the best choice but as you think, it does not cover reserved seat.
If you pay reserved seat fee on top of Kansai Hiroshima Area, this pass does not work. Single trip ticket is cheaper. But if you choose the train that departs from Shin-Osaka and from Hiroshima, you can take a seat easily. Please see the timetable below:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
When you take Shinkansen train, many trains come from Tokyo and make a stop at Shin-Osaka. If you try to take these trains, many seats are occupied. But many trains depart from Shin-Osaka, like Sakura (shown as “S”). The train is empty when it arrives at platform. And there are many trains that depart from Hiroshima too.
Kintetsu Rail Pass is the best choice to get Nabana no Sato.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
There is no deals available to cover both.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be travelling in Nov to Osaka and back from Narita (5 pax). My itinerary as below and I am still strugging with train pass, can you please help what train ticket I should purchase or car rental?
Osaka – 4 days (stay in Osaka)
Kyoto – 4 days (stay in Kyoto)
Mt Fuji – 3 days (stay near Mt Fuji)
Tokyo – 4 days (stay in Tokyo)
Hi Adeline,
There is no choices available to cover whole part of your trip. Please find one of my sample itinerary at the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/basic-itinerary-of-osaka-kyoto-and-tokyo-in-7-days.html
The itinerary above does not include Fuji. If you intend to visit Lake Kawaguchi area, highway bus is most affordable choice. If you get Hakone, Hakone Free Pass is available. Please see the link below to find more info about Fuji.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
I’m not familiar with car rental in Japan. So I cannot comment anything about it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello! Thank you for all the details above. I am flying to Japan next week and I am wondering whether there is a sample itin you could suggest for me. I want to go to Osaka (hotel there), Nagoya, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kobe/Miyajima. Could you please advise whether it is okay to do day trips to all these places while staying in Osaka. Are 6-7 days enough? Thanks!
AD
Hi AD,
Yes, you can. You may use Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and Kintetsu rail pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hiroshima-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-both-kansai-and-hiroshima.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
This combination is most affordable choice to cover all areas.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you! I opted for the Hiroshima Area Pass. I am going to skip Nagoya and go to Nara instead. Cheers.
No problem, AD.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
[…] it’s known in Japanese) is most commonly access through Hiroshima, however you can get there from Osaka and Kyoto on a long day trip by riding the Shinkansen down. I personally wouldn’t recommend going all that […]
Hi,
I would like to find out if I am planing for a trip around Kansai region and mainly staying in Osaka area for 8 days, which i will be visiting Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji and Hiroshima for each different days, will it be better for me to get a JR Sanyo Sanin area pass instead of Kansai Hiroshima pass? as far as I understand, I know the different in the price of both pass and Sanyo Sanin is for 7 days whereas Kansai Hiroshima pass is for 5 days, please enlighten and also feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks a lot.
Hi Zann,
Kansai Hiroshima Pass is better than Sanyo Sanin area pass. Sanyo Sanin Area Pass is valid longer and coverage area is bigger. But it’s too much. Most of your trip will be in Kansai region. I think Kansai area pass and local deal are okay.
You can use Kansai Hiroshima pass for the trip to Hiroshima, Miyajima, Himeji, Kobe and Nara. You may use it for trip to Kyoto too. But you have to add subway and bus deal because this pass does not cover these transportation. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Most of places in Nara, Kobe and Himeji are accessible from JR stations. So you can use the pass to get these area. In Osaka, some places are not accessed by this pass. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
I hold a Japan Rail Pass and want to travel from Kyoto to Hiroshima and Miyajima, in late October.
I’m looking for a direct train from Kyoto to Hiroshima, at no extra cost with my JR Pass.
Which train is best, and do you where I can find the timetables?
Also, are there direct trains for our return trip, Hiroshima to Kyoto? (JR Pass too)
Thank you for your help!
Brice
Hi Brice,
Please see the links below. You may find Shinkansen timetable.
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
Mizuho (shown as “M”) and Nozomi (“N”) are not covered by JR Pass. Choose the train from H (Hikari), S (Sakura) and K (Kodama).
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com