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How to Travel to Hiroshima From Tokyo 2024: Price and Travel Time Comparison
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To travel to Hiroshima from Tokyo, you can take the bullet train, airplane, highway bus, or go by rental car. We have compared the cost, travel time, and convenience of these transportation methods and examined the pros and cons of using each.
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I'm a writer on MATCHA. I'm interested in fashion,music,magazines,books,travel and people. Nice to meet you!
Hiroshima is home to the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, but also to Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden, and Miyajima Island where you will find Itsukushima Shrine and its great torii shrine gate.
To travel to Hiroshima from Tokyo, you can go by Shinkansen bullet train, airplane, highway bus, or rental car. We have compared the cost, time, and convenience of these transportation methods and examined the pros and cons of using each.
How to Get to Hiroshima From Tokyo
1. By Shinkansen: Convenient and Fast
2. By Airplane: Shortest Travel Time
3. By Highway Bus: The Cheapest Way
4. Rental Car for a Fun Road Trip with Friends
JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass: Explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima
Other Tips: Accommodation and WiFi
Read also
1. From Tokyo to Hiroshima by Shinkansen: Convenient and Fast
The most common way of traveling is by Shinkansen. The travel time is approximately 4 hours, and a one-way ticket for a regular reserved seat costs 19,080 yen. By using a round-trip discount from Tokyo, the price per one-way trip becomes 17,910 yen. There are four Shinkansen trains to Hiroshima departing every hour from Tokyo Station.
Although the 4-hour travel time is not short, unlike airplanes, you can enjoy beautiful scenery. Additionally, there are unique ways to enjoy the Shinkansen such as eating an ekiben (station bento lunch) on board. In comparison to flying, it is relatively inexpensive and considered a good deal.
*1 Ekiben is a boxed meal sold at train stations. Many ekiben feature local specialties and regional cuisines.
You can easily book your Tokyo - Hiroshima Shinkansen tickets online. Moreover, if you're using a Japan Rail Pass for Whole Japan, the Shinkansen ride to Hiroshima is covered by the pass.
There are several cost-efficient regional JR passes that include Hiroshima along with the Osaka - Kyoto area; consider using one of them if you plan to spend more than two days exploring this region.
2. Flying From Tokyo to Hiroshima: Shortest Travel Time
Currently, flights from Tokyo to Hiroshima Airport depart from both Narita Airport and Haneda Airport.
The airlines operating these routes are ANA, JAL, Spring Airlines Japan, and IBEX Airlines, totaling four airlines. However, Spring Airlines Japan and IBEX Airlines only operate flights from Narita International Airport, with a limited frequency of three flights per day.
For those considering flying, it is recommended to choose ANA or JAL departing from Haneda Airport, which is easily accessible from central Tokyo. These airlines offer one to two flights per hour. Additionally, by utilizing early booking up to 75 days in advance, you can travel to Hiroshima for about 12,000 yen. However, without the early booking discount, ticket prices can exceed 30,000 yen.
Although the travel time is approximately one and a half hours, there may be additional time needed for check-in procedures and accessing the airport depending on the departure location. Therefore, it's advisable to compare it with other modes of transportation before making a decision.
3. Tokyo to Hiroshima by Highway Bus: The Cheapest Way
The cheapest way to travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima is the overnight bus. At the lowest fares, you can travel for just 5,000 yen one way (prices may vary depending on the company and time of year).
Departure is typically at 20:30 from Tokyo Station, and arrival times vary depending on the bus company but usually fall between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning. The journey takes about 13 hours. While it may not be as comfortable as a bed, arriving while you sleep can be a time-saving way to travel.
4. Rental Car: For a Fun Road Trip with Friends
If you are planning an extended stay in Japan, taking a leisurely trip from Tokyo with a rental car can be a delightful experience.
On the journey to Hiroshima, you will encounter numerous famous landmarks such as Shizuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, and Kyoto. The direct drive takes approximately 9 and a half hours without making any detours.
While experiencing the people, food, culture, and more along the way, you will surely create wonderful memories of your trip.
However, returning the rental car in Hiroshima after starting from Tokyo can cost around 50,000 yen depending on the company. Additionally, there will be expenses for toll roads and other fees. If you have a group of people or a budget and time to spare, trying this option might be worth considering.
MATCHA's readers can use a 10% discount voucher for renting a car from Nippon Rent-a-Car, one of the largest rental car services in Japan.
There are multiple Nippon Rent-a-Car locations around Hiroshima Airport and within Hiroshima City. If you arrive in Fukuoka by plane or Shinkansen and wish to rent a car, it's worth checking out their offices in those areas.
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JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass: Explore Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima!
If your travel plans include visiting Osaka and the other areas in the Kansai region while heading to Hiroshima, consider using the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass (5 days).
This pass covers a wide of western Japan including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Wakayama, Okayama, Kagawa, Tottori, Hiroshima, and more!
You'll be able to ride trains, buses, and ferries operated by JR in these areas. This pass also includes reserved seating on the San'yo Shinkansen Line (the bullet train from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima), making it a great deal if you're already headed towards Osaka and Kyoto.
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FAQ
How long is the bullet train from Tokyo to Hiroshima?
The bullet train (shinkansen) ride from Tokyo to Hiroshima typically takes around 4 hours on the fastest Nozomi trains. These Nozomi services offer a direct and efficient journey between the two cities, providing passengers with a comfortable and convenient way to travel the approximate distance of about 890 kilometers (550 miles) between Tokyo and Hiroshima. While the travel time can vary slightly depending on factors such as the type of shinkansen service and any potential delays, the Nozomi shinkansen is one of the quickest options for traveling between Tokyo and Hiroshima by train.
Can Hiroshima be a day trip from Tokyo?
Hiroshima is located quite far from Tokyo, making it challenging for a day trip due to the travel time involved. The journey from Tokyo to Hiroshima by shinkansen (bullet train) takes approximately 4 hours one way. This means that a round trip would entail about 8 hours of travel time alone.
Considering the distance and the time required for travel, it is generally not recommended to attempt Hiroshima as a day trip from Tokyo. Hiroshima offers many significant historical sites, cultural attractions, and scenic spots that are worth exploring with ample time. It's best to plan at least a few days in Hiroshima to fully appreciate its landmarks, such as the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Miyajima Island, and the local cuisine, rather than rushing through on a day trip from Tokyo.
What is the fastest way to get to Hiroshima from Tokyo?
The fastest way to travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima is by taking a shinkansen (bullet train). The Nozomi shinkansen is the fastest service between the two cities, providing a direct and efficient journey. The trip on the Nozomi shinkansen typically takes around 4 hours, offering a comfortable and convenient way to travel between Tokyo and Hiroshima with minimal transfers or delays. The shinkansen is a popular choice for those seeking a quick and reliable transportation option to reach Hiroshima from Tokyo in a relatively short amount of time.
Is it better to fly or train from Hiroshima to Tokyo?
When deciding between flying and taking the train from Hiroshima to Tokyo, factors such as time, cost, convenience, and personal preferences play a key role. The Shinkansen offers a comfortable and scenic journey, taking around 4 hours on the fastest trains, providing convenience and efficiency, though it can be relatively more expensive. Flying, on the other hand, can be quicker, typically lasting about 1.5 hours, and may offer competitive prices depending on the airline. However, flying involves additional factors like airport transfers, security procedures, and potential delays, which can extend the overall travel time. Ultimately, the choice between the Shinkansen and flying depends on individual priorities such as speed, cost, comfort, and the overall travel experience desired for the journey from Hiroshima to Tokyo.
Is 2 days enough for Hiroshima?
Spending 2 days in Hiroshima allows for a well-rounded exploration of this historic city. Day 1 typically includes visits to poignant sites like the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Museum, and Hiroshima Castle, followed by sampling Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki for dinner. Day 2 often involves a day trip to Miyajima Island to see Itsukushima Shrine's iconic torii gate, plus visits to cultural institutions like the Mazda Museum and Hiroshima Museum of Art. While 2 days suffice for covering major attractions like the city's historical and cultural landmarks, extending the stay allows for more in-depth exploration or side trips to nearby destinations, ensuring a richer experience of Hiroshima and its surroundings.
Other Tips: Book Accommodation and WiFi
If you've already booked your train or airplane tickets for Hiroshima, you'll also probably want to look for hotels.
You can find good accommodation at convenient prices by using Booking.com.
In addition, in Japan, the availability of free Wi-Fi is limited. For visitors to Japan, renting a pocket Wi-Fi during your travels can be very convenient. MATCHA offers a coupon for Ninja-Wifi, which allows you to enjoy a 20% discount. Be sure to take advantage of this offer for added savings and convenience during your trip!
While the most common means of transportation from Tokyo to Hiroshima is the Shinkansen, depending on the purpose of your trip, consider selecting the plan that best suits your needs.
Read also
All pictures from PIXTA
I'm a writer on MATCHA. I'm interested in fashion,music,magazines,books,travel and people. Nice to meet you!
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