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Osaka to Hiroshima Distance: How far is Osaka to Hiroshima?
How far is it from Osaka to Hiroshima? Think of it like the distance from New York City to Boston, or from London to Liverpool. In simple numbers: The distance is about 340 kilometers (or 210 miles) by train.
Let's look at the main transportation spots on a map. The most important thing to notice is that in Osaka, you'll almost always start your journey from Shin-Osaka Station, which is different from the main Osaka Station.
Your Main Hubs in Osaka
Shin-Osaka Station: This is your most important station for this trip. All Shinkansen (bullet trains) to Hiroshima leave from here.
Osaka Station (Umeda): This is the biggest and busiest station in Osaka's main downtown area (called Umeda). You will likely pass through here, but you cannot get a Shinkansen to Hiroshima from this station.
Namba (OCAT Bus Terminal): If you decide to take a bus, this is another major hub where many highway buses depart from, located in the lively Namba district.
Osaka Attractions Map: Tourist Map of Osaka
Your Main Hub in Hiroshima
Hiroshima Station: Life is simple on the other end! All trains (Shinkansen and local) will arrive here. The main bus terminal is also right outside the station.
From here, you can easily grab a tram, local bus, or the "Maple-oop" tourist bus to get to the Peace Memorial Park and other sights.
Hiroshima Maps: City, Tourist & Miyajima Map (2025)
4 Easy Ways to Travel from Osaka to Hiroshima (Compare Table)
| Method | Travel Time | Cost (Approx.) | Use JR Pass? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen Best for speed & comfort |
~90 minutes | ~¥10,500 | ✔️ Yes |
| Highway Bus Best for saving money |
5 - 6 hours | ~¥4,000 | ❌ No |
| Local/Rapid Trains Best for adventurers |
6 - 7 hours | ~¥5,720 | ✔️ Yes |
| Flights Best for connecting flights |
~4+ hours (total) | ¥7,000 - ¥15,000+ | ❌ No |
Osaka to Hiroshima Shinkansen (Bullet Train): The Fastest & Easiest Way
The Shinkansen is Japan's world-famous bullet train. For the trip from Osaka to Hiroshima, the Shinkansen makes it feel like a short hop, taking only about 90 minutes. It is, without a doubt, the fastest and most convenient way to travel between the two cities.
Which Shinkansen Should You Take?
On the route from Osaka to Hiroshima (called the Sanyo Shinkansen line), there are four main types of trains. Think of them like "Express," "Semi-Express," and "Local" services.
| Train type | Time | One-way fare* | JR Pass use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nozomi/ Mizuho | 1 h 30 m | ¥11,090 reserved seat | ❌ national pass, ✅ regional "Kansai-Hiroshima" | Fastest, runs every 15 min |
| Sakura | 1 h 32 m | ¥10,870 reserved | ✅ all passes | Almost as quick, less crowded |
| Hikari | 1 h 55 m | ¥10,870 reserved | ✅ all passes | 1–2 trains / hour |
| Kodama | 3 h 40 m | ¥10,550 reserved | ✅ all passes | Stops everywhere – skip it |
For 99% of travelers, the Sakura is the perfect choice. It's only about 10-15 minutes slower than the Nozomi/Mizuho, it's incredibly comfortable (some say the seats are even nicer!), and most importantly, you can ride it for free with a Japan Rail Pass.
To ride a Nozomi or Mizuho train, you need to purchase a special supplementary ticket called a "NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket". Think of it as an "upgrade fee" that you pay on top of your pass.
You Can Choose Between Two Types of Seats
Non-Reserved Seat (Jiyuseki): This is the standard price. You can sit in any seat in the non-reserved cars. It's perfectly fine, but you might have to stand for a bit if the train is very crowded.
Reserved Seat (Shiteiseki): This costs about ¥500 more. For that small extra fee, you get your very own assigned seat. I highly recommend this for first-time visitors. It takes away all the stress of finding a spot.
How to Buy Your Tickets? (4 Ways)
Option A: Smart-EX phone app. Book in English up to 1 month ahead. QR code opens the gate—no paper ticket.
Option B: The Ticket Machine. Don't worry, they all have an "English" button. You'll select your destination (Hiroshima), the number of people, and whether you want a "Reserved" or "Non-Reserved" seat. You can pay with cash or a credit card.
Option C: The Ticket Office. Look for the green sign that says "Midori no Madoguchi" (みどりの窓口). Here, you can talk to a real person who can help you book your ticket. It's a great option if you feel unsure or have questions.
Option D: If you have a JR Pass: You don't need a ticket. Just show your pass to the staff at the manned gate next to the automatic ones.
How to Take a Osaka to Hiroshima Shinkansen Train?
- Go to the Correct Station! The Shinkansen does not leave from the main Osaka Station (in Umeda). You must go to Shin-Osaka Station (新大阪駅).
- Buy Your Ticket
- Go Through the Ticket Gates: Once you have your ticket, look for the gates that say "Shinkansen." Simply put your ticket into the slot, walk through, and remember to grab it as it pops out on the other side.
- Find Your Platform. Look up at the big electronic signs. They will show all the departing trains. Find your train by looking for its name (like Sakura), its train number, and its departure time. The sign will clearly show the platform number.
- Find Your Car and Seat. On the platform, there are signs that tell you where each train car will stop. Your ticket will show your Car Number and Seat Number.
Osaka to Hiroshima Local & Rapid JR Train: Cost, Train Time & More
A very important piece of advice: If you do not have a JR Pass, this option makes no sense. The Shinkansen costs more, but it saves you 5+ hours of travel time. This route is only recommended for JR Pass holders.
If your wallet matters more than your watch, you can ride nothing but regular JR trains. The good news: the fare is almost half the Shinkansen price. The bad news: you need three to four transfers and a little patience.
How the Route Works
| Leg | Train type & line | Time | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shin-Osaka → Himeji | JR Kobe Line Special Rapid | 1 h 05 m | Orange "A Special Rapid" signs, departs every 15 min |
| Himeji → Aioi | Sanyō Main Line Local | 18 m | Same platform, but check the end station on the front LED |
| Aioi → Okayama | Sanyō Main Line Rapid/Local | 1 h 25 m | Toilet on 3-door cars only |
| Okayama → Fukuyama | Sanyō Local | 50 m | Buy snacks here; platform kiosk is cheapest |
| Fukuyama → Hiroshima | Sanyō Local or Rapid | 1 h 40 m | Every 30 min, first two cars fill fastest |
Cost & Travel Time
Expect the total journey to take between 6 and 7 hours, including the time you spend waiting for your connecting trains.
Cost (with a Japan Rail Pass): ¥0. It's completely free. This is the main reason people choose this route.
Cost (without a JR Pass): The one-way cash fare is about ¥5,720.
What is the Cheapest Way from Osaka to Hiroshima: By Bus
Shinkansen is quick, but the bus is king of cheap. A one-way seat starts at ¥5,900—almost half the train fare—and you can even sleep through the ride on a night coach and save a hotel bill.
There are two main types of buses for this trip:
- Daytime Bus: You travel during the day and get to see the scenery of the Japanese countryside from the highway.
- Overnight Bus: This is a fantastic travel hack. You get on the bus late at night, sleep during the journey, and wake up in Hiroshima early the next morning.
Know Your Bus Choices
| Company | Day Bus | Night Bus | One-way fare* | Time | Departs from | Arrives at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JR Chugoku / West JR | 09:10 / 13:50 | 23:10 | ¥5,900–¥6,600 | 5 h 40 m | Osaka Station JR Express Bus Terminal (Umeda) | Hiroshima Bus Center (centre-town) |
| Willer Express | 08:20 / 14:00 | 22:55 | ¥5,900–¥7,400 | 6 h 00 m | Willer Bus Terminal, Umeda Sky Building | Hiroshima Station South Exit |
| Kintetsu Bus | 10:00 | — | ¥6,100 | 5 h 50 m | Namba OCAT (Namba Station) | Hiroshima Bus Center |
Where Do I Get on the Bus in Osaka?
Buses leave from a few different spots, so check your ticket carefully! The most common departure points are:
Osaka Station JR Express Bus Terminal: This is a big, easy-to-find terminal right at the main Osaka Station.
Willer Bus Terminal Umeda: Located at the base of the famous Umeda Sky Building.
Namba OCAT (Osaka City Air Terminal): Another major hub in the popular Namba area.
How to Book Your Bus Ticket (The Easy Way)
Booking a bus ticket is simple, even if you don't speak Japanese. The best way is to do it online. The two best websites for tourists are Willer Express and Japan Bus Online. They have full English websites and are very easy to use.
Do I Need a JR Pass for This Trip?
Think of the JR Pass as an "all-you-can-ride" golden ticket for the Japan Railways (JR) network. For a set period (7, 14, or 21 days), you get unlimited rides on most JR trains all over the country, including most of the Shinkansen bullet trains.
If you are ONLY traveling from Osaka to Hiroshima and back, the answer is simple: No, the JR Pass is not worth it. The JR Pass becomes a money-saver when you plan on doing multiple long-distance Shinkansen trips within a 7-day window.
| Pass | Adult price* | Where it works | Free seat bookings | Who sells it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National JR Pass 7 days | ¥50,000 | All JR trains incl. Shinkansen (except Nozomi/Mizuho) | Unlimited | JR official site, agents |
| National JR Pass 14 days | ¥80,000 | |||
| National JR Pass 21 days | ¥100,000 | |||
| Kansai–Hiroshima Area Pass 5 days | ¥17,000 | JR West lines from Osaka/Kyoto to Hiroshima & Miyajima | JR West online or station | |
| Sanyo–San-in Area Pass 7 days | ¥24,000 | Wider: adds Fukuoka & Matsue |
Can You Do Hiroshima as a Day Trip from Osaka?
Yes, absolutely! A day trip from Osaka to Hiroshima is a very popular and powerful experience. Here at Asia Odyssey Travel, we help countless travelers plan this exact trip. The key is to be smart with your time.
Your entire day is made possible by the Shinkansen bullet train. This gives you a full 8-10 hours to explore Hiroshima itself.
With that block of time, you have a big choice to make. You can create two very different types of days:
The Focused Historical Day: Dedicate your time to the Peace Memorial Park, the A-Bomb Dome, and the deeply moving Peace Memorial Museum. This gives you plenty of time to absorb the powerful history without feeling rushed.
The "History & Scenery" Combo: This is a faster-paced day. You'll visit the Peace Park highlights in the morning, then take a local train and ferry to the beautiful Miyajima Island to see the famous "floating" torii gate and its friendly deer.
If you decide to stay overnight, you can turn a rushed day into a relaxed two-day experience. Spend Day 1 fully dedicated to the Peace Park and enjoying Hiroshima city. Then, on Day 2, you can give Miyajima Island the whole day it deserves, perhaps even hiking up Mount Misen for incredible views.
Planning the connections can feel like a puzzle, so remember our team at Asia Odyssey Travel can handle all the details for you.
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