By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 27 May 2024 | Updated: 26th January 2026
Getting from Kyoto to Hiroshima couldn’t be easier. People often visit both the historical old capital of Japan and the rebuilt cityscape of Hiroshima, and rightly so, they are both incredible destinations. So what is the best way to get from Kyoto to Hiroshima?
Getting Around Japan
The best way to get around Japan is via public transport, and more specifically, the train network. Having visited Japan a couple of times, we opted for taking the train or local buses over driving.
The most popular option for getting around is the Japan Rail Pass, an all-in-one pass which includes most public transport across Japan. With this pass, you just exchange the voucher at a station within Japan for a JR Pass, then keep it with you for your trip so you can show it if asked for it. You can book all of your onward trains and seats for your entire trip right away, saving time and hassle!
How to get from Kyoto to Hiroshima
There are four main transportation options to get between Kyoto and Hiroshima: renting a car, by bus, by local train or by Shinkansen.
Kyoto to Hiroshima by Car
It takes anywhere from 4.5 hours up to 6 hours, depending on the route you take, to drive between Kyoto and Hiroshima. You can also expect to pay around 8,000 yen on the tolls, (one-way), on top of any fuel costs.
Kyoto to Hiroshima by Bus
A one-way trip on the highway bus between Kyoto and Hiroshima takes between 7 and 9 hours depending on the time of day, (both day and night buses are available), plus any traffic. A one-way fare costs anywhere between 3,000 and 8,000 yen depending on the date and if you choose a discount or premium bus. You can check what is the best option for you at Japan Bus Online.
Kyoto to Hiroshima by Local Train
Getting from Kyoto to Hiroshima by local trains is a similar task to getting between Tokyo and Kyoto, with trains taking anywhere from 6 to 7 hours, and with at least two or three transfers. It costs from 6,600 yen for a regular fare, but there are discounted options if you have a Seishun 18 Kippu, (a ‘youthful’ train ticket that can be used by anyone, tourist or resident in Japan), which can be as little as 2,400 yen.
Kyoto to Hiroshima by Shinkansen
You can easily get from Kyoto to Hiroshima via Shinkansen, as the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen line connects the two, which has trains multiple times a day.
🚄 The first and last Nozomi Shinkansen departures between Kyoto and Hiroshima are at around 10:00 and 21:50 🚄
How long does it take from Kyoto to Hiroshima by Shinkansen?
The direct Nozomi trains, which are the quickest on this Shinkansen route, take around 1.5 hours to get from Kyoto to Hiroshima, whilst the Hikari or Kodama trains, which require a transfer in Osaka to the Sakura trains, take around 2 hours.
How much is the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Hiroshima?
A regular non-reserved seat fare is from 10,770 yen and around 12,000 yen for a reserved seat.
What rail passes cover the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Hiroshima?
The JR Pass covers the Hikari, Kodama and Sakura trains between Kyoto to Osaka then the transfer train on to Hiroshima, whilst the direct Nozomi trains require an extra fee.
Kyoto to Hiroshima Tours
Hiroshima can be done as a day trip from Kyoto, especially with a tour like this one: Hiroshima & Miyajima Bus & Shinkansen Tour, but be prepared for a long day!
If you would rather take the train between Hiroshima and Kyoto and spend some time in each location (which is what we did), then instead do a dedicated tour at either end, then here are our favourite options:
Where To Stay In Kyoto & Hiroshima
Where to stay in Kyoto
🏨 Budget – Piece Hostel Sanjo
🏨 Mid Range – Sora Niwa Terrace Kyoto (we stayed here on both our trips to Japan, with a rooftop bar and two onsens, you can’t get much better)
🏨Luxury – Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion
Where to stay in Hiroshima
🏨 Budget – APA Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae Ohashi
🏨 Mid-range – Mitsui Garden Hotel Hiroshima (The Mitsui Garden Hotels across Japan are fantastic to stay in!)
🏨 Luxury – Hilton Hiroshima
How To Get From Kyoto To Hiroshima FAQs
Can I do Hiroshima as a day trip from Kyoto?
Although it takes around 1.5 hours to get to Hiroshima from Kyoto, we wouldn’t suggest it as a day trip. There is a lot to see in Hiroshima, and if you are going that way you should definitely make the short ferry crossing to Miyajima too, which deserves a few days as well.
Is it easier to go to Hiroshima from Osaka or Kyoto?
You can easily get to Hiroshima from both Osaka and Kyoto, but the train from Kyoto actually goes through Osaka, so it saves you 15 minutes if you leave from Osaka. This is assuming you take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen.
How far is it from Kyoto to Hiroshima?
Kyoto is located approximately 315 km / 196 miles north east of Hiroshima.
Should I buy a JR Pass to get from Kyoto to Hiroshima?
Although it is quite a long journey, no we wouldn’t suggest buying a JR Pass to get from Kyoto to Hiroshima. Check out our guide to getting around Japan with no JR Pass for more information.
How long does it take from Kyoto to Hiroshima by bullet train?
The direct Nozomi trains, which are the quickest on this route, take around 1.5 hours to get from Kyoto to Hiroshima, whilst the Hikari or Kodama trains, which require a transfer in Osaka to the Sakura trains, take around 2 hours.
How much does it cost to go from Kyoto to Hiroshima?
A regular non-reserved seat fare on the Shinkansen / bullet train between Kyoto and Hiroshima is anywhere from 10,770 yen and around 12,000 yen for a reserved seat.
Conclusion: How To Get From Kyoto To Hiroshima
There are a number of ways to get from Kyoto to Hiroshima, with the quickest route taking 1.5 hours and the longest route taking up to 9 hours. So we would suggest taking the Shinkansen, for a quicker route, albeit a little more expensive.
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.