Sample itinerary of day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima from Osaka/Kyoto

1 to 3 days
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is one of Must-See in Hiroshima. ©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO
One of well known places in Japan, World Heritage Site, Miyajima Itsukushima shrine.  ©Hiroshima Prefecture / ©JNTO
One of well known places in Japan, World Heritage Site, Miyajima Itsukushima shrine. ©Hiroshima Prefecture / ©JNTO

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

Kyushu Shinkansen Sakura and Mizuho give you direct trainsfer to Shin-Osaka from Kyusyu.
N700 series Shinkansen fleet is used for Mizuho and Sakura.

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

You have to visit at low tide if you want to walk around Torii.  	©Hiroshima Prefecture / ©JNTO
You have to visit at low tide if you want to walk around Torii. (C) Hiroshima Prefecture / ©JNTO

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

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is one of Must-See in Hiroshima. ©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is one of Must-See in Hiroshima. ©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO

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.

JR tourist loop bus Meipuru-pu

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.

Street car is most popular transportation in city of Hiroshima. ©Hiroshima Convention & Visitors Bureau

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!

Hiroshima has one of the best Okonomiyaki in Japan! ©Hiroshima Convention & Visitors Bureau

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

  1. Gia Abellana says:

    Hello again Takeshi. I need too clarify, from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto (coming from Hiroshima), what local train should we take. We will have JR pass. Also what time is last train from Shin-Osaka to get to Kyoto at a decent time like 2100. Thank you.

  2. Pauline says:

    Hi Takeshi san, I am planning to do a day trip to Miyajima and Hiroshima from Osaka. I am staying at Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi .
    I read yr article and I am confused over the best cost effective train route to visit and return to Osaka. And should I buy a one day pass?

    Appreciate yr advise

    Thanks
    Pauline

  3. Mike F says:

    Hello – my two teenagers are traveling alone from Osaka to Hiroshima and don’t speak or read Japanese. Are there any tips you can offer to get them on the correct bullet train, then to the trolley to Hiroshima and back? They will be traveling sometime in the first three weeks of August 2018 (next month). Thank you!

  4. Conor says:

    Hi Takeshi-san.

    We are an active family arriving into Osaka on Aug 23 morning, and leaving via Tokyo on Sep 3 morning, and considering 14-day Jrail pass. Tentative itinerary is below. It is somewhat aggressive but we enjoy this vacation style. Any comments and help with planning the train lines/schedules with JRail pass is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

    Aug 23 – Train direct to Kyoto. Sight-seeing. Overnight there.
    Aug 24 – Kyoto morning sight-seeing. Train to Hiroshima and Hiroshima sight-seeing. Overnight in Hiroshima or Miyajima.
    Aug 25 – Miyajima sights. Train to Matsue and overnight there.
    Aug 26 – Matsue sights, Ferry to Oki Islands. Overnight.
    Aug 27 – Oki Islands. Overnight.
    Aug 28 – Oki Islands. Overnight.
    Aug 29 – Ferry to mainland, Train to Mt. Fuji area. If possible visit Amanohashidate on the way. Overnight near Mt. Fuji.
    Aug 30 – Climb Mt. Fuji with hut overnight.
    Aug 31 – Finish Mt. Fuji and descend. Overnight nearby, or take train to Tokyo same day (not sure).
    Sep 1 – Train to Tokyo. Overnight.
    Sep 2 – Tokyo Sight-seeing. Overnight.
    Sep 3 – Tokyo airport, depart.

    – Conor

    • Hi Conor san,

      As I checked your itinerary, I have a few things to mention to you.

      1. Kyoto
      Are you really okay with only half day to see Kyoto? I recommend you to stay there at least one full day. You can spend even two days to see Kyoto easily.

      2. Miyajima to Matsue
      Heavy rain storm hit Japan a week ago. Major train line which is Hakubi line between Okayama and Matsue is closed now. It may take more than one month to repair this segment. There is other way available which is Miyajima-Hiroshima-Shinyamaguchi-Matsue. But if you take this route, it takes 6 hours. If Hakubi line will be open, your route is Miyajima-Hiroshima-Okayama-Matsue. It takes 4.5 hours. So it is not impossible but please keep this mind. I update trains operation status in the link below:
      https://jprail.com/train-operation-status

      3. Oki to Fuji
      You have to same route as Miyajima to Matsue. You spend at least 1.5 hours to get Matsue from Oki island. And then you will take much longer train trip to Fuji via Shin-Yamaguchi. As I checked the ferry schedule and train schedule, you cannot make Fuji in one day from Oki island if Hakubi line is not open. Even if Hakubi line is open, you will get Mishima around 19:00. You have to stay in Mishima and then you have to take a bus in next morning, such as bus to Kawaguchiko.
      http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/29

      Obviously there is no time to drop by Amanohashidate even if Hakubi line is open.

      At this point, Hakubi line is a huge issue on your travel. Actually I cannot be optimistic about Hakubi line. In the previous similar case, it took more than one year to repair the train truck. You have to shorten staying in Oki island or Tokyo because you have to stay somewhere between Oki island and Fuji.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Conor says:

        Hi Takeshi-san,

        Thank you for your reply. So, you are not optimistic about LTD. EXP YAKUMO restoral? Do you think it’s wise to just avoid the whole area of Okayama and Hiroshima area even 5 weeks from now?

        Then I may have to completely change proposed itinerary and replace the western portion with something more north (hope weather may be cooler also there).

        Aug 23 – Kyoto sites afternoon. Stayover 3 nights.
        Aug 24 – Kyoto or day trips to Himeji or Amanohashidate.
        Aug 25 – Kyoto or day trips to Himeji or Amanohashidate.
        Aug 26 – Tokaido Shinkansen to Mishima then bus to Fujinomiya 5th station for overnight acclimation in a hut.
        Aug 27 – Summit and descend same day. Bus back to Mishima. Overnight.
        Aug 28 – Mishima to Tokyo to Sendai via Shinkansen. Overnight 4 nights either Sendai or split with Matsushima or other town overnight, for sites and day trips.
        Aug 29 – Matsushima day trip
        Aug 30 – Other island/coastline day trip.
        Aug 31 – Okama crater hike
        Sep 1 – Hoshuyama Risshaku day trip. Train toward Tokyo. Possible stop Nikko. Stayover Tokyo.
        Sep 2 – Tokyo
        Sep 3 – Depart

        Any comments are welcome. Thanks very much.
        Conor.

        • Hi Conor,

          Actually JR West has just announced that Hakubi line will be open sometimes in mid August. As long as the plan goes through, Yakumo will run when you travel. You can keep original plan if you like.

          Even if Hakubi line will be closed, you can visit Hiroshima. City of Hiroshima and Miyajima are okay now.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Conor says:

            Takeshi san,

            Thank you for the update. If we were to complete Fuji before heading toward Hiroshima, then upon return from Oki to Yonago, I belive I could take Sunrise express directly to Tokyo (no need to stop anywhere). If necessary I could stay one night in Yonago after Oki to catch the train. But, I wouldn’t be able to reserve this until arrival in Japan I believe, hence no guarantee we could get this train. Is this correct?

            Thanks,
            Conor.

            • Hi Conor san,

              That’s right. You will travel the last period of summer break in Japan. It may be slower than usual. But you cannot find the availability until you get Japan anyway.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

              • Conor says:

                Takeshi san –

                Again thank you. In your estimation, do you see any way we could get by with just 7-day pass, given all our potential traveling? Even if we stay in Kyoto for 1-2 days, we would still be short 2 days if we start using the 7-day pass after that. I believe we just need to get the 14-day pass even though only there for 11 days.

                Thanks,
                Conor.

                • Hi Conor san,

                  I looked your original plan again and I notices 7 days JR pass is okay. If you start using 7 days pass for the first 7 days, it will cover until you get Fuji. After arriving Fuji, you do not have many chances to take trains. You can go to Tokyo by express bus and it’s not covered by JR pass.
                  http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/1

                  You can use subway pass for staying in Tokyo. You pay a regular fare to get airport. Even though you need to pay these on top of 7 days pass, it’s still cheaper than 14 days pass.

                  But if you go to Fuji first, it’s different situation. You need 14 days pass.

                  Cheers,

                  Takeshi / JPRail.com

                  • Conor says:

                    Hi Takeshi,

                    Thanks for your continued support. If I can find place to stay in Oki Islands, I believe I have come to new plan below. Your comments are very helpful as usual. If I pay separately for Osaka airport to Kyoto, then start using 7-day pass on Aug 25, that should get me to the Sunrise express on Aug 31. Then I will not need pass any more (I assume it covers the entire journey even though arrives Sep 1).

                    Aug 23 – Train direct to Kyoto. Sights. Overnight.
                    Aug 24 – Kyoto sights. Overnight.
                    Aug 25 – Train toward Hiroshima, Stop Himeji for castle, Arrive Hiroshima. Sights. Overnight.
                    Aug 26 – Hiroshima/ Miyajima. Overnight.
                    Aug 27 – Train to Matsue, sights (possible Izumo also), Overnight.
                    Aug 28 – Ferry to Oki Islands / Nishinoshima. Sights/ night boat tour. Overnight.
                    Aug 29 – Nishinoshima/Chibu sights. Ferry to Dogo (Okinoshima). Overnight.
                    Aug 30 – Okinoshima sights. Overnight there or back to Matsue for overnight.
                    Aug 31 – Matsue sights until Overnight Sunrise express train departs, arrive Tokyo Sep. 1 morning.
                    Sep 1 – Tokyo overnight. Early bus to Fuji 5th station, climb and hut stay overnight.
                    Sep 2 – Fuji climb and return to Tokyo, stay near airport.
                    Sep 3 – Tokyo airport, depart.

                    As usual, thank you very much.

                    Conor.

                    • Hi Conor,

                      Your itinerary is okay.
                      Regarding taking Sunrise on 7th day of JR pass, I believe it covers until you get Tokyo. But I’m not 100% sure. In basic JR ticket rule, it’s called “continuation ride”. The base fare ticket covers the trip until you exit the station. Express train ticket covers until you get off the train. I think JR pass follows same rule and it was written in JR Pass official site before. But it is not written in official site any more.

                      Please make sure when you will book Sunrise Izumo ticket or exchange JR pass.

                      Cheers,

                      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. hafhaf says:

    hai takeshi-san

    day 1 ( saturday)

    narita airport 10.00
    shibuya 13.00
    meiji – jingu shrine 13.30
    takeshi street 15.00
    shibuya crossing 17.00
    hachiko gate 17.30
    disney store (shibuya koen-dori) 18.00
    dinner

    day 2 (sunday)

    tokyo government 08.30
    kaminaron gate 10.00
    nakamise shopping street 10.30
    sensoji temple 12.00
    asakusa shrine 13.00
    tokyo skytree 14.30

    day 3 (monday)

    disney sea

    day 4 (tuesday)

    tokyo to kyoto 12.00
    kinkakuji temple 13.30
    arashiyama 15.00
    teryuji temple 16.00
    aarashiyama station 17.00

    day 5 (wednesday)

    fushimi inari 9.15
    kiyomizo temple 11.30
    yasaka jinja shrine 13.00
    gion 13.30
    gion main store 14.30

    day 6 (thursday)
    nishiki market 10.00
    imperial palace. 12.00
    nara park 15.00

    day 7 (friday)
    osaka. 13.00
    osaka castle 14.00
    dotonburi 16.30
    namba 18.35

    day 8 (saturday)
    hiroshima ( miyajima island)

    Shin-Osaka – hiroshima 08-07 -9.39
    Sakura 547
    Hiroshima
    Hiroshima local train 10.27 Miyajimaguchi
    Miyajimaguchi Ferry 10.40
    Miyajima 10.50
    Miyajima Ferry 13.30
    Miyajimaguchi 13.40
    Miyajimaguchi 13.58
    Local train Hiroshima. 14.25

    day 9 (sunday)
    osaka to nagoya 11.00
    f1

    day 10 (monday)
    museum toyota 9.30
    check out 12.00
    go to tokyo 15.00
    ginza 17.00

    day 11
    flight

    so im planning staying in tokyo 3 night , kyoto 3 days , osaka 2 days , nagoya 1 night , and heading to tokyo 1 day before flight

    im planning to use JR pass from day 4-10

    me , my husband and my baby 1 years ..which better to go disney sea or hakone and staying 1 night through to kyoto

    from osaka to go hiroshima and miyami island is include jr pass ?

    thanks a lot ..im going september to october

  6. Sonia L. Lorrio says:

    What is the best way to get to Kanazawa from Miyajimaguchi?

  7. Ash De says:

    Hi Takesh San,
    We are travelling to Japan for one week.
    Arriving at Haneida airport 28th March 2018.
    Two nights Tokyo.
    Depart Tokyo for Kyoto 30th April 2018
    Two nights in Kyoto.
    Since we have three full days and (2 nights) in Kyoto we were
    looking at going to Hiroshima and Miyagima and spending a full day there.
    Depart Kyoto on the 1st of April late evening or night back to Tokyo.
    Three nights in Tokyo and depart from Haneida Airport.
    From all accounts it seems like its worth buying the JR pass as we are travelling to and from Tokyo to Kyoto.
    Seems restrictive to go to Hiroshima on the JR pass as we have to change in Osaka.
    Do you think we should spend three nights in Kyoto so that we can see Hiroshima with ease and not be too rushed in Kyoto.
    Your suggestions would be most welcome and thanking you in advance.
    Ash.

    • Hi Ash san,

      If you go to Hiroshima, you have to spend one full day on the second day in Kyoto. So your time in Kyoto is on the day of arrival and departure in Kyoto. If you are okay with it, you can stay in just two nights in Kyoto. If you leave early from Tokyo and leave late from Kyoto, you will have almost two full days in Kyoto. I think you can make it. If you want to keep your time in Tokyo, you can keep this itinerary.

      In most of cases, you need to change Shinkansen at Shin-Osaka because JR pass does not cover Nozomi and Mizuho. Many of Nozomi connects Kyoto and Hiroshima directly. However just few Hikari connects Kyoto and Hiroshima directly. Please see the link below:
      http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf

      H491 (Kyoto 7:20/Hiroshima 9:06) and H493 (Kyoto 8:00/Hiroshima 9:56) are Hikari and these are covered by JR pass. If you don’t want to change trains, try to take one of these.

      There is no direct train options on the way back.
      http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf

      But Sakura’s reserved seat is much better than Hikari’s reserved seat. Even though you need to change trains at Shin-Osaka, I recommend to reserve your seat on Sakura between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima. Please check the seat image on reserved ordinary class in the link below:
      https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/shinkansen/tokaido-sanyo-and-kyushu/kyushu-shinkansen-n700-series-for-mizuho-sakura-and-tsubame-image-gallery.html

      If you take Hikari, seat layout is 2+3. It’s okay but Sakura is much better. You may take either direct Hikari or change trains and get better seat on Sakura on the way to Hiroshima.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Mudit says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I am travelling with family to Japan in June with below tentative itenary, can you suggest changes and maximum use of JR pass, thanx.
    2 june- arrive osaka- osaka tour
    3 june-universal studios
    4 june- day trip to kyota and nara
    5 june-day trip to kobe and hiroshima
    6 june-osaka to hakone, overnight stay at hakone
    7 june-hakone to tokyo-tokyo tour
    8 june-disneyland
    9 june-tokyo leisure and shopping
    10 june-depart tokyo

    Best regards
    Mudit

  9. G says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I checked. I do not see Amanohashidate, Limited Express Hashidate or the Kyoto Tango Railway. But they are covered by the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass according to https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3991.html.

    Please clarify.

    Thank you

  10. G says:

    Greetings Takeshi-san,

    I plan to visit some places for several days. Flexible with time. I am considering the 19,000 yen Sanyo San’in 7 Days Area Pass over the 17,000 yen Setouchi 5 Days Area Pass for more days, making reservations and using the ekiren bicycle rent, and the Kansai One Pass.

    Arrive Leave Place to stay Days For getting around – train, walk, bicycle, maybe bus

    25-Mar Sun 5-Apr Thu Hakata, Fukuoka 11 Fukuoka City Subway 2 Day Pass, Nanzō-in Temple regular fare, Sanyo San’in Area Pass to go to Hiroshima

    5-Apr Thu 7-Apr Sat Hiroshima near station 2
    walk, EKIREN, Meipuru~pu, tram, bus covered by Pass

    6-Apr Fri 6-Apr Fri Miyajima island side day trip
    use Pass

    7-Apr Sat 8-Apr Sun Ogimachi, Takamatsu 1 NOZOMI +JR Marine Liner: use Pass

    8-Apr Sun 8-Apr Sun Sannomiya Station 1
    JR Rapid Service Line from Kobe Sannomiya to Kyoto: use Pass

    9-Apr Mon 19-Apr Thu Gion, Kyoto 10 Subway, walk, EKIREN, maybe bus JR:use Pass till valid

    19-Apr Thu 25-Apr Wed Naniwa ward, Osaka 6 Subway, walk, maybe bus, Osaka Amazing Pass 2 Days
    Osaka Kaiyu Ticket, Namba to KIX regular fare; Fly to Narita

    25-Apr Wed 8-May Tue Asakusa, Tokyo 14 Tokyo Subway Ticket

    What do you think?
    What are the differences between train travelling on weekdays and on weekends?
    How do you know when to use the “Fare Adjustment” machine?
    Can you return the guidebook that comes with a Pass after use?

    Continue the good work
    Thank you

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