Getting from Osaka to Hiroshima – via Train, Highway Bus | In 1.5 hours!
Hiroshima is a major city of Shikoku, Japan.
Due to its proximity to the sea, its local seafood cuisine is famous, especially its distinctive dish, Okonomiyaki.
Moreover, tourist attractions there like the Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine have been popular among visitors over the years.
The travelling time is quite different for several transports, which we would suggest the following two.
1. JR Super Express
If you are going to Hiroshima from Osaka, the fastest transportation would be taking the JR Super Express.
It only takes you around 1.5 hours to get there, allowing you to do a round-trip within one day.
However, if you are taking the local train, it would take you at least 6 hours to finish the journey.
Also, you will have to change trains on the way.
Therefore, we would strongly recommend you to take the JR Super Express, in order to reach Hiroshima with ease.
Take the Sanyo Shinkansen from JR Shin-Osaka Station, you will be arriving at Hiroshima in 1 hour and 21 minutes.
There are 5 types of Super Express trains operating between Osaka and Hiroshima, with the fastest two being “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” respectively.
Estimated Travelling Time: around 1 hour 21 minutes to 1 hour 31 minutes
Fee (Single Trip): 10,220 yen
Schedule: Every 10 to 20 minutes
Foreign Visitors Must-buy Discounted Tickets!
It can be costly for the journey between Osaka and Hiroshima.
Sanyo Shinkansen specially provides a discounted one-way ticket for foreign tourists, which only costs 7,900 yen.
Do note that it is only applicable for buying the ticket online in advance for a month.
After landing in Japan, you can get the official ticket from the JR ticket machine with your passport and the QR code.
Best Deal for Travelling around Japan: JR PASS
If you are planning to visit many cities, we strongly recommend you to buy a JR PASS.
With this ticket, you can enjoy unlimited rides on JR railway within the designated number of days.
If you are visiting Hiroshima from Osaka, you can buy a 5-days Kansai & Hiroshima Area Rail Pass (17,000 yen), which includes the Hiroshima-Miyajima ferry.
You can be worry free about the transportation for your journey.
What’s more, the JR PASS covers a wider area, including Kansai Airport, Wakayama, and Kyoto.
2. Highway Bus
If JR Super Express exceeds your transport budget, you can opt for a highway bus.
Although the fare for a highway bus is much cheaper, its journey needs at least 5.5 hours.
We suggest you go for a nighttime bus if you choose to take the highway bus.
You can even save the cost of accommodation for one night!
You can hop on the bus in Osaka from Umeda, Namba, and the Universal Studio.
Upon arrival in Hiroshima, you can alight the bus at Hiroshima Station and Hiroshima Bus Terminal.
We recommend you reserve your ticket on the Willer Travel website.
Estimated Travelling Time: around 5.5 hours
Fee (Single Trip): 3,200 yen
JR Super Express VS Highway Bus
| JR Super Express | Highway Bus | |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Travelling Time | around 1 hour 21 minutes to 1 hour 31 minutes | around 5.5 hours |
| Fee (Single Trip) | 10,220 yen | 3,200 yen |
| Schedule | Every 10 to 20 minutes | / |
