Shinkansen! Tokyo to Hiroshima train with JR pass PLUS cost without ⛰ Japan travel blog

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 spend one day in Miyajima as a day trip from Hiroshima!

 

 

 

 

So now…

Is it easy to get from Tokyo to Hiroshima by train?

 

Well, it can be.

When you’re traveling with a JR pass, it does require a transfer though.

If you’ve never taken a train in Japan, it might feel a bit intimidating to have to deal with train transfers, but it’s really not so bad!

When you’re traveling without a JR pass, you can find a direct train that will get you to Hiroshima without a transfer.

Either way, there are frequent enough timings that it can be pretty convenient.

 

If you’re looking to get to Hiroshima using your JR pass, you basically have one main option.

If you don’t have a JR pass, you also have one best option to get from Tokyo to Hiroshima by train.

 

• Taking 2 shinkansen bullet trains (JR pass option)
  • Hikari shinkansen
  • Sakura shinkansen
• Direct Nozomi shinkansen bullet train

 

There are 2 shinkansen train stations in Tokyo:

• Tokyo station
• Shinagawa station

So you’ll take the train from one of these 2 stations depending on where in Tokyo you’re staying.

 

 

More below about traveling to Hiroshima from Tokyo!

 

 

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How to get from Tokyo to Hiroshima with a Japan rail pass

Cost with JR pass: FREE!

 

• SHINKANSEN BULLET TRAIN ONLY
  • Tokyo to Shin-Kobe: Hikari shinkansen train (3 hr 10 min)
  • Shin-Kobe to Hiroshima: Sakura shinkansen train (1 hr 15 min)
  • Time: 4.5+ hours from start to finish including transfer time

 

This is just an example, and the actual time of your journey from start to finish may vary based on how long you need to wait for the next train to come.

But generally, you probably won’t have to wait any more than 20-30 minutes, and you may find the next train will come in less than 10 minutes after you arrive at your transfer station.

You won’t have to pay anything extra for any portion of the journey if you have a JR pass.

The one small downside of traveling with a JR pass is that it won’t give you access to the fastest trains.

In the case of Tokyo to Hiroshima, it means that you can’t take the direct and fastest Nozomi shinkansen.

This means that you don’t have a direct train option.

The need to transfer trains when traveling with a JR pass may be a slight inconvenience.

But in terms of time it takes to get to Hiroshima with the JR pass compared to the Nozomi, it’s a difference of about 30 minutes which isn’t so bad.

There are frequent enough Hikari and Sakura train timings that you can find this option more than a few times throughout the day.

 

 

How much does it cost to get to Hiroshima from Tokyo 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.

 

 

Shinkansen bullet train – Nozomi

Cost: 19,080 yen (US$170)

• NOZOMI SHINKANSEN BULLET TRAIN: To Hiroshima station
  • Time from Tokyo station: 4 hours
  • Time from Shinagawa station: 3 hr 50 min

 

Since you are traveling without a JR pass, you can take the fastest train to get to Hiroshima.

 

 

Local trains to Hiroshima

This really isn’t an option.

Even if you would be okay with 6-8 train transfers in the name of saving money, it’ll likely take you over 20 hours to get to Hiroshima from Tokyo. And local trains generally don’t run overnight.

 

 

See more about figuring out whether a JR pass is worth it for your trip to Tokyo and Hiroshima.

 

 

Cities on the way to Hiroshima

If you’re still thinking about your Japan itinerary, here are some more things to think about.

Instead of going straight from Tokyo to Hiroshima, Kyoto and Osaka are along the way, so you can stop there for a night or more before moving on to Hiroshima… and one day on Miyajima island!

Tokyo to Kyoto is an easy trip you can do with no train transfers.

Kyoto to Hiroshima does require a transfer when you’re traveling with a JR pass, but you can take a direct train from Osaka to 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!

Top tips for using Navitime to get from Tokyo to 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
• When you’re in Tokyo, use your current location to search train timings to Hiroshima so you know exactly how to get to either Tokyo station or Shinagawa station!

 

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.

See more about ferry options for Hiroshima to Miyajima!

 

HAPPY TOKYO TO HIROSHIMA PLANNING!