Hiroshima Station (Train Station): Departures and guide

Hiroshima Station Complete Guide

Hiroshima Station is the main railway hub in Hiroshima and an important gateway to western Japan. Served by the Sanyo Shinkansen, it offers direct high-speed connections to major cities. Regional JR trains also connect the station with destinations across the prefecture, making it a convenient starting point for exploring.

Shinkansen and Trains at Hiroshima Station

Hiroshima Station is served by the Sanyo Shinkansen as well as several conventional JR lines.

The Sanyo Shinkansen

The Sanyo Shinkansen connects Shin-Osaka with Hakata in Fukuoka, with Hiroshima located roughly midway along the route. Five types of Shinkansen service stop here:

• Nozomi: The fastest and most frequent option.
• Mizuho: A fast service primarily connecting Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima, and Kyushu.
• Sakura: A convenient service stopping at more stations, particularly useful for JR Pass holders.
• Hikari: Some Hikari services stop at Hiroshima.
• Kodama: The slowest Shinkansen service because it stops at every station.

To find your train, head to the upper level of the station. Every Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Platform is clearly marked. Trains travelling west toward Hakata and Kyushu generally use platforms 11 and 12, while eastbound trains toward Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo generally use platforms 13 and 14.

Local and Regional JR Trains

The Sanyo Main Line runs east toward Saijo and west toward Miyajimaguchi. If you are taking a trip from Hiroshima Station to Iwakuni Station, you will generally use this line. The Kure Line connects Hiroshima with coastal destinations, and the Kabe Line serves neighbourhoods northwest of central Hiroshima.

Popular Train Routes to and from Hiroshima

Osaka Connections

Travelling from Osaka to Hiroshima (and Hiroshima to Osaka) is fast and frequent, making an Osaka to Hiroshima Day Trip highly popular.

• Services: Taking an Osaka to Hiroshima Shinkansen or Shinkansen Osaka to Hiroshima is the best method. The Osaka to Hiroshima Bullet Train (and Hiroshima to Osaka Bullet Train) departs from Shin-Osaka Station. A standard Osaka to Hiroshima Train or Train from Osaka to Hiroshima is also available, though high-speed rail is preferred.
• Distance: The Osaka to Hiroshima Distance is approximately 342 km.
• Travel Time: Around 1 hour 20 minutes on the fastest trains.

Kyoto Connections

The route from Kyoto to Hiroshima and Hiroshima to Kyoto is seamless via the Sanyo Shinkansen.

• Services: The Kyoto to Hiroshima Shinkansen (or Hiroshima to Kyoto Shinkansen / Shinkansen Kyoto to Hiroshima) offers direct Nozomi trains. Travellers can easily get from Kyoto Station to Hiroshima Station using the Kyoto to Hiroshima Bullet Train or standard Kyoto to Hiroshima Train.
• Travel Time: The fastest direct services complete the journey in around 1 hour 36 minutes.

Tokyo Connections

Direct Nozomi trains make the journey from Tokyo to Hiroshima straightforward.

• Services: Taking a Tokyo to Hiroshima Bullet Train is the fastest option. You can travel from Tokyo Station to Hiroshima Station without a transfer on the Nozomi.
• JR Pass: If you are using a Tokyo to Hiroshima JR Pass strategy, note that the standard Japan Rail Pass covers Hikari and Sakura services (requiring a transfer at Shin-Osaka), but a special add-on ticket is needed for the Nozomi.
• Travel Time: Around 3 hours 50 minutes on the Nozomi.

Fukuoka Connections

Fukuoka's main station is Hakata Station.

• Services: The route from Fukuoka to Hiroshima (and Hiroshima to Fukuoka) is serviced by direct Mizuho, Nozomi, and Sakura trains.
• Travel Time: Around 1 hour 1 minute.

Hiroshima Station Facilities and Services

Hiroshima Station offers a wide range of services, from the ekie commercial complex with local restaurants to excellent tourist information.

Coin Lockers and Luggage Storage

Hiroshima Station Coin Lockers are available in several locations, including near the Shinkansen Gate. Lockers come in different sizes, with larger units suitable for suitcases. If lockers are full, Crosta Hiroshima provides staffed luggage storage on the Shinkansen side (9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and can even deliver luggage to participating hotels.

Getting Around Hiroshima

The most convenient ways to reach central Hiroshima are the Hiroshima Electric Railway streetcars, local buses, the Meipuru-pu sightseeing loop bus, and taxis.

• To Peace Memorial Park: Take streetcar Route 2 or Route 6 to Genbaku Dome-mae (approx. 20 minutes).
• To Hiroshima Castle: The Meipuru-pu sightseeing loop bus provides a direct connection (10-15 minutes). Alternatively, take a streetcar to Kamiyacho-higashi or Kamiyacho-nishi and walk.

Traveling to Miyajima

Getting from Hiroshima Station to Miyajima is incredibly popular for day trips.

1. Train: First, take the JR Sanyo Main Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station. The ride takes around 25-30 minutes.
2. Ferry: Next, walk five minutes to the terminal to take the Hiroshima Station to Miyajima Ferry connection (operated by JR West or Miyajima Matsudai Kisen). The JR West ferry is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and takes about 10 minutes.

Explore More of Japan

To continue your journey, you can easily book your airport transfers in Japan and Trains in Japan online. With a Japan Rail Pass, you can easily discover major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka during your adventure in Japan.

FAQs About Hiroshima Station