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. Dalia says:

    Hello there.

    Thank you for your great tips and advises. Could you please tell me how can I purchase the JR pass from overseas? If you know a trusted website, it would be great, thanks.

  2. bob H says:

    Takeshi,
    Hi. The JRpass system is a bit confusing to me. Can you help me with my itinerary?
    8/29 Arrive Narita
    8/30 Day trip to Nikko
    8/31 Day trip to Kamakura
    9/1 Day trip to Hakone
    9/2 – 9/4 Tokyo to Kanizawa – 2 nights
    9/4 Tour Kyoto
    9/5 Day trip to Nara
    9/6 Day trip to Osaka
    9/7 Day trip to Hiroshima
    9/8 Return to Narita (then on to Singapore)

    I am thinking of being based in Kyoto, but am open to suggestions. I am planning the 14 day JRpass (should I get the green pass?)

    Any other ideas or “must see” ideas? I am open to any suggestions. A Ryokan sounds like fun too – any good locations?

    I really appreciate your time and advice.
    bob

  3. Andi says:

    Hi,
    Sorry to chime in but you seem to be giving some great advice and I would love it if you could give me some also.

    The plan for me and my friend is (with 7 day JR Pass Days 5 – 12)
    Land – 13.02 – Day 1 – Tokyo
    Day 5 – Nozawa Onsen
    Day 7 – Osaka
    Day 11 – Kyoto
    Day 17 – Fly to Korea (Jeju, Busan, Seoul – any knowledge on SK haha?)

    I saw some of your suggestions and I really like the look of:
    – Shirakawago
    – Takayam
    – Hiroshima/ Miyajima
    – Mt Koya

    Some things we have researched to see/experience are Edo era Castle, Tea Ceremony, Festivals, Kabuki Theatre and the list goes on.
    We haven’t booked in Kyoto or Osaka so we can change the amount of days in each. My question would be is there anywhere else you would suggest visiting – possibly day trips?
    Also would suggest either Osaka or Kyoto is better as a base?

    Thank you so much if you respond, I’d really appreciate your time 🙂

    Regards from down under.

    • Hi Andi,

      You can stay in Osaka only and make day trips to other places, such as Hiroshima/Miyajima. You can visit Kyoto and Mt. Koya from Osaka as well. You can stay in Kyoto because it has completely different atmosphere from Osaka. But you can stay in one place and make trips without luggage. The choice is yours.

      I recommend you to stay in Takayama or Shirakawago at least one night. Takayama is too fare to visit from either Osaka or Tokyo as day trip. It’s also hard to squeeze both Takayama and Shirakawago between Nozawa Onsen and Osaka. You may visit Shirakawago only on the way to Osaka from Nozawa onsen. But it’s too much to visit both. And Kanazawa is very nice city. Kanazawa castle, Kenrokuen garden, Higashi Chaya district and other places in this city meets your taste.
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2167.html

      Kurashiki and Himeji are also recommended too.
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3500.html
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5750.html

      I have no idea about Korea at all.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. ET says:

    Hi Takeshi!
    I am planning a 13D12N trip to cover Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Here is plan, would love your advice if the plan makes sense and also your recommendation on transport:

    Day 1: Tokyo to Kyoto
    Day 2 to 7: Explore Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Takayama
    Day 8: Kyoto to Tokyo
    Day 9 to 13: Explore Tokyo, Hakone

    I am still considering if i should stay in Kyoto or Osaka as my base.

    Thank you (:

  5. julie to says:

    Hi Takeshi
    I’ve been planning our first trip to japan and below is our tentative itinerary

    Day 1-2 -arrive at haneda airport and stay in tokyo
    Day 3 -head to kyoto
    Day 4 -day trip to nara
    Day 5- day trip to osaka
    Day 6- day trip to hiroshima from kyoto
    Day 7-10 – head back to tokyo

    Could you please recommend best pass to purchase and which train we need to take to get to each location?

  6. Malissa says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am travelling to Osaka from 29 May to 3rd June I have a 7 day rail pass. It’s my mother’s 60th birthday, hence our trip.

    I want to give her a traditional experience…. I can see Japan offers so much. What can you recommend first timers?

    I’d like to do an onsen as well…. but I am people with tattoos are not permitted. Are there any spas that allow a girl with a couple of small tattoos?

    And what would be the best cultural, traditional castles, gardens to visit and explore?

    Thank you for any advice

    • Hi Malissa,

      It’s hard to answer that.
      In Japan, there are so many onsens. I believe some onsen allows people with tattoo. But I cannot say which one is okay for you. I don’t have this kind of info. Some high-end onsen ryokan has a room with private onsen bath in the room. Try to google it and find it.

      Around Osaka, Kyoto and Nara offers most traditional experience. And Mt. Koya is very interesting place too.
      http://www.nankaikoya.jp/en/

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. YL says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    We would like to ask for your help to advise the most suitable pass for our itinerary. We are going to Japan from 19-28 May.

    Day 1: Arrive @ Narita Airport in the morning, eat and shop at Ikebukuro & Jujo (Accommodation)
    Day 2: Tsukiji Fish Market, Roppongi (Kasuma Art Exhibition), Kawasaki (Anata No Warehouse), Akhihabara
    Day 3: Shibuya & Harajuku (Overnight Willer Bus from Tokyo station to Osaka Umeda)
    Day 4: Osaka Castle, Mizuno Flagship Store at Yodoyabashi, Namba, Dotonburi at night, Nippombashi (Accommodation)
    Day 5: Umeda (Umeda Batting Dome), Taisho (to watch a baseball game)
    Day 6: USJ
    Day 7: Kyoto (Looking at Fushimi Inari, Arashimaya, Uji)
    Day 8: Mt Koya
    Day 9: Hiroshima, Miyajima
    Day 10: Ikeda (Cup Noodle Museum), Yamazaki Distillery, Suntory Kyoto Brewery, Haneda Airport
    *We are only staying at 1 location in Tokyo and 1 location in Osaka

    Please help us to look through and advise us. For now, we think that the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass (5 days) is the most suitable for us when we are in Osaka since we would like to visit Hiroshima, but are unsure about the other 2 days in Osaka. The Sanyo Sanin Area Pass (7 days) seems good as well but it does not cover Mt Koya.

    Thank you so much for your help.

  8. Rachael says:

    Hi there, we are coming to Japan next week and are confused about tickets!

    day 1 – Kansai airport to Osaka
    day 2 – Osaka to Hiroshima
    day 4 – Hiroshima to Kyoto
    day 8 – Kyoto to Tokyo. (In tokyo for 10 days and fly home from there).

    Please could you advise on the cheapest ticket?

    Many thanks

    Rachael

  9. Sarah says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Looking at travelling to Japan in August with the following itinerary.

    Days 1 – 3 Fly into Narita. Tokyo
    Day 4 travel to Kyoto via Hakone day trip
    Days 5 – 7 Kyoto
    Day 8 travel to Osaka via Nara day trip
    Day 9 Osaka
    Day 10 day trip to Hiroshima/Miyajima
    Day 11 Osaka
    Day 12 Osaka, then travel back to Tokyo in the evening
    Day 13 Tokyo, fly out of Haneda.

    We mistakenly believed the 14 day rail pass was the way to go but I can now see we could probably do a 7 day pass and pay separately for either the Hakone trip or our final trip back to Tokyo. I’m wondering if the pass is the still best option or if you would recommend something different?

    Thanks in advance.

    • Hi Sarah,

      I think 14 days pass is okay. If you use 7 days pass, you will start using he pass from day 4 to 10. The difference between 7 days and 14 days is 17000 yen.

      One way fare by Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo is around 14000 yen. At this point, the difference is only 3000 yen.

      If you take Narita Express on day 1, it costs 3000 yen. 7 days pass + extra is 46000 yen. It’s same as 14 days pass now. You can use JR pass to take local train in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto if you have 14 days JR Pass.

      What do you think?

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. lucy says:

    Hello Takeshi,
    I am still confuse with the transportation and all the pass about going to Japan.
    My itinerary :
    Day 1 : Arrive at Haneda at 22.30
    Day 2 : Tokyo
    Day 3 : Tokyo
    Day 4 : Kawaguchiko
    Day 5 : Yokohama ( to Osaka with overnight willer bus)
    Day 6 : Osaka
    Day 7 : Kyoto
    Day 8 : Kyoto & Osaka
    Day 9 : Kobe & Nara
    Day 10 : Hiroshima
    Day 11 : Fly back from KIX

    That my planned itinerary, can you suggest me what the best transportation or subway I have to use so I can travel without confusing.
    Thanks in advance

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