Hi there!
Spending a couple of nights in Hiroshima can be a good idea so you can start to get to know this vibrant urban city.
Of course, that includes the place that memorializes the tragedy that Hiroshima is known for.
It can also be a good idea to one day in Miyajima from Hiroshima!
So now…
Is it easy to get from Osaka to Hiroshima by train?
Yes, it can be!
You just need to get yourself to the Shin-Osaka station, and get on the next shinkansen!
Although, with the JR pass you will have to wait for a specific train. But still, there are frequent enough timings that it can be pretty easy and convenient.
From Osaka, you can take a direct train straight to Hiroshima!
If you’re looking to get to Hiroshima using your JR pass, you basically have 2 options.
If you don’t have a JR pass, you have a few more options to get from Osaka to Hiroshima by train:
- Shin-Osaka station to Hiroshima station by these shinkansen bullet trains:
- Sakura (JR pass option)
- Hikari (JR pass option)
- Nozomi
- Mizuho
- Any train station in Osaka to Hiroshima station by local trains
More below about traveling to Hiroshima from Osaka!
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How to get from Osaka to Hiroshima with a Japan rail pass
Cost with JR pass: FREE!
- SAKURA SHINKANSEN BULLET TRAIN: Shin-Osaka station to Hiroshima station
- Time: 1.5 hours
- HIKARI SHINKANSEN BULLET TRAIN: Shin-Osaka station to Hiroshima station
- Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
You won’t have to pay anything extra for any portion of the journey if you have a JR pass.
So why would want to take the Hikari when you can take the Sakura that will get you to Hiroshima 30 minutes faster?
In short, it comes down to the train timings! I’ve found that there seem to be more Hikari train timings to Hiroshima than there are for the Sakura.
The one small downside of traveling with a JR pass is that it won’t give you access to the fastest trains, the Nozomi or Mizuho.
But that’s okay.
For your trip from Osaka to Hiroshima, the fastest Nozomi train would only get you to Hiroshima 10 minutes faster than the Sakura!
If you end up on the Hikari, the Nozomi train would get you to Hiroshima 35 minutes faster.
So either way, you don’t have to feel too bad.
How much does it cost to get to Hiroshima from Osaka WITHOUT a Japan rail pass?
Now, let’s say you’re trying to figure out if you should have your JR pass activated when you go to Hiroshima, or you won’t be traveling around Japan at all with a JR pass.
Listed prices are approximate just so you can start to get at least a little bit of an idea.
Option 1: Shinkansen bullet train (Nozomi or Mizuho)
Cost: 10,440 yen (US$90)
- NOZOMI SHINKANSEN BULLET TRAIN: Shin-Osaka station to Hiroshima station
- Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- MIZUHO SHINKANSEN BULLET TRAIN: Shin-Osaka station to Hiroshima station
- Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Since you are traveling without a JR pass, you can choose to take any of the 4 shinkansen trains mentioned, but the Nozomi or the Mizuho would get you to Hiroshima the quickest.
No matter whether you take the fastest train or the slowest train, the price of the train ticket will be the same.
Option 2: Local trains from any station in Osaka
Cost: 5,620 yen (US$50)
As you can imagine, taking the local train from Osaka to Hiroshima will be a LOT slower compared to taking the bullet train. Remember that the bullet train takes less than 2 hours to get to Hiroshima, even on the slowest shinkansen.
But if you’re not short on time and you’re trying to save a little bit of extra money, this is an option you can consider.
Osaka to Hiroshima by local train:
- 4 different trains, so 3 transfers
- Train #1: 1 hour 30 minutes (Osaka to Aioi Hyogo)
- Train #2: 1 hour 10 minutes (Aioi Hyogo to Okayama)
- Train #3: 1 hour 40 minutes (Okayama to Mihara)
- Train #4: 1 hour 20 minutes (Mihara to Hiroshima)
- Total time from start to finish including transfer time: Around 6.5 hours
- Cost: 5,620 yen (US$50)
There may be alternate train routes too, but this is just to give you an idea of what it may take to go for the cheaper train option.
See more about figuring out whether a JR pass will be worth it for your trip to Osaka and Hiroshima.
Public transportation apps to download before your trip to Japan:
- Google Maps
- Navitime for Japan Travel
Have these apps on your phone and you’ll become a pro in no time at navigating public transportation in Japan!
When you’re ready to head to Hiroshima, use your current location to figure out exactly how to get to Hiroshima!
Top tips for using Navitime to get from Osaka to Hiroshima
- For the Shin-osaka station, type in “Shinosaka” (no hyphen)
- For the Hiroshima station, it’s “Hiroshima”
- To search shinkansen timings for a JR pass, see the option “tourist pass”
- To search local trains only, unclick the following under search options: shinkansen, added-fare trains, city bus
Things not to miss at Hiroshima Peace Park
Okay, so now that you have a better idea of how to get to Hiroshima, next up!
Here are some of the top things to see at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park:
1. Atomic bomb dome ruins
2. Peace memorial museum
3. Children’s peace monument
Plan your trip to the Hiroshima peace park
For more details on Hiroshima itinerary planning, be sure to see these details for what not to miss with a visit to the Hiroshima peace park.
Another place not to miss when you’re in Hiroshima: Miyajima
Miyajima is about an hour away from Hiroshima, and it’s considered to offer the top 3 most scenic views in Japan.
Here are some of the top things to do on Miyajima island:
1. Mount Misen hike
2. Visit to Daisho-in Temple
3. See the floating torii at high tide
Plan your trip to Miyajima
You can make it a day trip to Miyajima from Hiroshima by following this one day Miyajima itinerary.
There is also a direct ferry to Miyajima from the Hiroshima peace park if you’re looking to combine Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day.
HAPPY OSAKA TO HIROSHIMA PLANNING!