Train Tickets from Himeji to Hiroshima
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Getting from Himeji to Hiroshima with the Shinkansen bullet train
The fastest way to get from Hiroshima to Himeji is by taking the well-known Shinkansen bullet train, which takes just under an hour! Travel from one of West Japan's most culturally diverse cities to another vibrant cultural center in the center of the Kansai Region! Take advantage of the excellent amenities on the Shinkansen bullet train and reserve your tickets well in advance to ensure a seamless journey and well-planned schedule!
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO HIMEJI
Himeji Station is the hub of Himeji City, the second-biggest city in Hyogo Prefecture. It just takes ten minutes to get to the well-known Himeji Castle via public transportation or twenty minutes to walk there. Near the castle grounds are the Kokoen Gardens, with its distinct Japanese landscape, and the community park, which is beautiful in the springtime when the cherry blossoms bloom. Trekking to the summit of Mount Shosha, which is visible from all over the city, can be done by bus or cable car. Making the pilgrimage to the temple atop the mountain is worthwhile.
Hiroshima's rich history, vibrant culture, and friendly people have made it one of Japan's most significant cities despite its tragic past. From the revered Miyajima Shrine with its floating torii gate to the Hiroshima Peace Park, which honors the past and encourages a peaceful future. Don't forget to sample some of the delectable local cuisine, which includes flavorful anago, fresh, meaty oysters, and okonomiyaki prepared in the Hiroshima style—which, unlike its Osaka counterpart, is served layered rather than mixed!
Ride the Shinkansen bullet train and move up the island of Honshu from Himeji to Hiroshima! With just one high-speed bullet train, the journey is quick and efficient, with a large number of departures daily.
Advantages of taking the train from Himeji to Hiroshima
How to book your Himeji to Hiroshima train tickets
Shinkansen information
The Sanyo Shinkansen Line, which connects parts of the southern island of Kyushu with Kansai, stops at both Hiroshima Station and Himeji Station. On this Shinkansen line, there are several options. The Nozomi bullet train is the fastest option. The Mizuho and Sakura trains are the other two ways to travel from Hiroshima to Himeji. The quickest commute takes slightly less than an hour. Longer commutes can last up to two hours and a half. We advise making reservations for seats in advance to guarantee a spot to sit during popular travel periods in Japan, such as the summer Obon holidays and the spring cherry blossom season.
Here's a map of the various trains available on the Himeji Station and Hiroshima Station journey and their stops:

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HIMEJI STATION AND HIROSHIMA STATION
How to get to Himeji Station
Himeji Castle, the castle park, and Kokoen Garden can all be found near Himeji Station. It only takes twenty minutes to walk this way, and the bus ride from the station takes slightly longer than ten. The station is served by the JR Sanyo Mainline, Bantan Line, and Kishin Line, which offer access to other parts of Hyogo Prefecture and the Kansai Region as a whole.
Where to go from Hiroshima Station
The station is conveniently located near a number of attractions in central Hiroshima, only a short eight-minute walk away. The Sanyo Line and the Geibi Line are two more lines that are excellent for exploring the remaining Chugoku region. The station is where the Hiroden Trams, the vintage trams associated with Hiroshima in general, arrive and depart.
Why Book your Train Tickets with Japan Experience?
How to use your train tickets in Japan
When you purchase a train ticket with Japan Experience, you will receive a QR code via email. This QR code is your e-ticket, that you can use directly at the gates in stations by scanning it.
In case your QR code does not work, you will find right below it a registration number to show to station staff in order to board your train.
Please find more information below about ticket fares and train tickets usage conditions. With your QR code, you will also receive a detailed user guide to help you through the easy and efficient process of using your train tickets in Japan.
READ MORE ABOUT THE CONDITIONS AND VALIDITY OF TRAIN TICKETS BELOW
How far in advance can I book train tickets?
You can book train tickets in Japan between 9 months prior to your train's departure date and 3 days before departure.
Is there a special train ticket fare for children?
Yes, there are special fares applicable for children. Ages 12 and up are considered adults, but kids aged from 6 to 11 benefit from a reduced fare. Children under the age of 6 travel for free and do not need to book a seat. This free fare is limited to 2 tickets, meaning any additional child under 6 will then pay the classic child fare and will have to book a seat.
How to use your train tickets in Japan
To use your Shinkansen e-tickets once you have received them, simply head to Himeji Station and scan your QR code at the Shinkansen gates at East exits, and head to the right platform to hop on your train.
Please note that your QR code will not scan at other ticket gates than Shinkansen ticket gates, which means you may need to exit the station and re-enter through the Shinkansen zone, depending on the following cases.
If you arrive to Himeji Station by a JR line:
If you have a prepaid IC card or paper JR tickets, you can transfer from the JR local lines area to the JR Shinkansen area. First scan your Shinkansen e-ticket, then tap your prepaid card (or insert your paper tickets). The gates will open on this second action.
If you are arriving in Himeji Station via subway lines:
You need to exit the station first, and then re-enter via the Shinkansen gates at East exits.
On board the train, find the seat number that is on your e-ticket if you have a seat reservation, and enjoy the ride!
Once you've arrived in Hiroshima, scan the QR code again at the Shinkansen gates upon exiting Hiroshima Station, and the city is now yours to explore.
If you need to transfer to a JR local line, you need to exit the Shinkansen gates first, and then purchase local tickets - or use your prepaid IC card to travel by scanning directly at the transfer gates.
Eligibility
All persons above the age of 12, with no restrictions of residence status or nationality, are eligible to purchase individual train tickets (unlike the Japan Rail Pass and some JR regional passes, for example). Japanese individuals as well as foreigners living in Japan can thus purchase train tickets online. Under the age of 12, the aforementioned child fare conditions apply.
Validity of train tickets
Train tickets issued are only valid for the date and time indicated on your booking, and are to be used only on the Himeji to Hiroshima route.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Train Tickets in Japan
Up to 72 hours before departure, you can modify your booking one time free of charge or cancel your booking (with a 15% cancellation fee). Please find more details below.
- How can I cancel or modify my booking?
You can cancel or modify your tickets by contacting Japan Experience by phone or email.
Modifications and cancellation are not possible in stations, neither at ticket machines (even those with a QR code reader) nor at JR counters (except when mentioned by our assistance*).
- What are the cancellation conditions?
You can cancel your train tickets up to 72 hours before departure, with a 15% cancellation fee applied. Past 72 hours before departure, no cancellation can be done.
- What if I miss my train?
If you have missed your train, your tickets allow you to board any train on the same route in the same day – in non-reserved seat cars only.
- What are the modification conditions?
You can modify your booking for free one time up to 72 hours before departure. Any extra modification will result in booking cancellation to make a new order, with a 15% cancellation fee applied.
Past 72 hours before departure, no modifications can be done.
If you want to modify:
- Seat and/or departure time (for e-tickets or e-voucher before paper tickets issued): Japan Experience can modify your booking for free, one time per booking.
- Departure date and/or ticket class: Japan Experience allows you to change your departure date/ticket class free of charge by canceling your order without fees in order to make a new booking. Please note that a new date in a higher travel season or an upper class will result in a price difference.
- Adding or removing passengers from the booking: Adding a passenger is free of charge, you only need to pay the extra ticket price. Removing a passenger equals to canceling the booking for that passenger only, cancellation conditions apply for the removed passenger ticket (15% fee).
- Departure station/arrival station: This change equals a cancellation, with a 15% cancellation fee applied.
*For the rare and only case of cancellation for e-voucher after paper tickets have been issued, you need to request a cancellation at Japan Railways counters (not machines) in stations, up to 10 minutes before departure. JR will refund you around 70% of your order, in cash (JPY ¥). Modifications at JR machines or counters in stations are also possible up to 10 minutes before departure (some fees may apply).
The Shinkansen is the premier form of travel in Japan. “Shinkansen” is the Japanese word for “bullet train,” whose name is derived from the locomotive’s high speeds and shape. They are commonly used for traversing longer distances in Japan.
Reserving seats on the Shinkansen bullet train isn’t a necessity; however, we do suggest making a reservation during peak travel times, specifically during Spring (sakura season) and during New Year's, for example. Trains may also be crowded during major holidays and events, such as large festivals. You’ll also need to make a reservation for oversized luggage on the Shinkansen.
- There are different types of carriages on the Shinkansen, with different levels of accommodation. The Ordinary Car is the most general seating option, but Shinkansen bullet trains are, by default, more luxurious than other types of trains due to them being built for long-distance travel. These accommodations include reclinable chairs, overhead storage, hooks for outerwear, deployable trays, and electrical outlets.
- The Green Car is the next step up in luxury from the ordinary car, featuring even deeper reclining chairs and more legroom. All seats in these cars need a reservation. The oversized luggage area is also included with a seat on the Green Car.
- The Gran Class Car is much like the Green Car but with even more elevated accommodations. Seats are formatted 2x1, optimizing room, and often, snacks and refreshments are included. Gran Class cars exist only on JR East lines, such as Tokyo <-> Nagano and Tokyo <-> Kanazawa.
With over 40 years of dedicated experience dealing specifically with Japan travel and tourism, you can rest assured that we will have the best knowledge and familiarity with getting around the country. Our train tickets are acquired through an official partnership with JR West. We also offer reliable and expert assistance thanks to our onsite team in Japan, flexible modification options, and a fully digital booking experience with no hidden fees.
If your train's departure date is more than one month away from the date of booking, you will receive your QR code approximately a month before departure.
If your train's departure date is less than one month away from the date of booking, you will receive your QR code within 48 hours.
Reminder : you can book train tickets in Japan with Japan Experience between 9 months and 3 days prior to train departure.
If you're traveling with baggage measuring less than 160 cm (length + width + height), you don't need to make an additional reservation, and you can store your baggage in the overhead compartment above your seat.
For baggage measuring more than 160 cm and up to 250 cm (length + width + height), you need to make an advance reservation before you can take your baggage on board the Shinkansen. On board, you'll need to stow your baggage in the areas reserved for bulky luggage, generally located behind the last seats in the car, and in special compartments located between the cars. This includes luggage such as sports equipment, musical instruments and strollers.
Luggage measuring more than 250 cm (length + width + height) is not permitted on board the Shinkansen. Each passenger can take up to two pieces of luggage on board the Shinkansen.
You can find more details about luggage rules aboard the Shinkansen here.
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