JR Pass for a Hiroshima and Miyajima day trip

The Nozomi question

The fastest trains between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima run as Nozomi and Mizuho services. Until October 2023 the pass did not cover them at all; since then pass holders can ride them after buying a "Nozomi Mizuho Ticket" at a JR ticket office, priced by distance. Sakura and Hikari trains on the same line are covered without the extra ticket. On a day trip, that usually means picking a Sakura or Hikari train in both directions, or paying the supplement twice.

From Kyoto with the pass

Sakura trains begin at Shin-Osaka. From Kyoto you either take a covered train to Shin-Osaka and change, or ride a Nozomi through with the extra ticket. Allow for the change when you plan your arrival at a tour meeting point in Hiroshima.

Buying the nationwide pass

The Japan Rail Pass is sold for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days, in standard class or in the Green class. Booked in advance, it arrives as an exchange voucher by courier. In Japan you swap the voucher for the pass at a major JR station or an international airport, within three months of its issue date, and show your passport. Only visitors entering Japan on temporary visitor status can use it. The current price shows on the booking page; compare it with two return tickets between Osaka or Kyoto and Hiroshima if this is the only long trip on your itinerary.

A regional pass instead

JR West sells a Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass for five consecutive days. It covers the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima and the JR Miyajima Ferry, along with JR lines in the Kansai region, and is sold only to visitors entering Japan on a temporary visitor status with a foreign passport. For a trip that combines Osaka or Kyoto with Hiroshima over several days, it is the pass to compare against single tickets.

Without a pass

The Shinkansen ticket is the largest single cost of the day, which is why tours with the train included cost a multiple of the tours that start at Hiroshima Station. You can buy a return ticket yourself and join a tour from Hiroshima Station, or book a package where the operator handles the train. H.I.S. sells the package as an option on its Hiroshima tour, JTB runs it from Osaka and from Kyoto, and Amigo Tours sends the tickets the evening before for you to ride on your own. The pages for Osaka and Kyoto compare them in detail.

On the island

The pass takes you to Miyajimaguchi and across on the JR ferry. The 100 yen visitor tax is separate: pass holders buy it at a machine at the pier before boarding. Details are on the ferry and visitor tax page.

Tours with the Shinkansen ticket included

If you have no pass, these tours put the train on the same booking. Most-reviewed first; read the price note, because on some tours the from-price is the start in Hiroshima without the train.

Photo	Tour	Starts from	Shinkansen included	Guide on the train	Duration	Reviews ↕	Price ↕	Book
	Hiroshima and Miyajima Bus Tour from Osaka, Kyoto or Hiroshima, Shinkansen Optional H.I.S.	Shin-Osaka, Kyoto or Hiroshima Station	Yes, in the Osaka or Kyoto package option	No, staff hand over the tickets at the station	8 to 12 hours, depending on where you start	★ 4.7 (1,268)	$114 per person From-price = start in Hiroshima. The Shinkansen package price shows after you pick the Osaka or Kyoto option.	Book on GetYourGuide
	Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip from Osaka by Bullet Train Amigo Tours Japan	Shin-Osaka, guide meets you at Hiroshima Station	Yes, in the option with train tickets	No, you ride on your own	8 to 11.5 hours	★ 4.8 (370)	$95 per person Check which option the from-price belongs to before you compare it with a train package.	Book on GetYourGuide
	Hiroshima and Miyajima Full Day Tour by Bullet Train from Osaka JTB	Osaka	Yes	Not stated	13 hours 10 minutes	★ 4.6 (136)	$387 per person	Book on Viator
	Hiroshima and Miyajima Full Day Tour by Bullet Train from Kyoto JTB	Kyoto	Yes	Not stated	13 hours 20 minutes	★ 4.5 (136)	$391 per person	Book on Viator
	Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip from Kyoto by Bullet Train Amigo Tours Japan	Kyoto Station, guide meets you in Hiroshima	Yes, in the option with train tickets	No, you ride on your own	8 to 12 hours	★ 4.7 (103)	$95 per person Check which option the from-price belongs to before you compare it with a train package.	Book on GetYourGuide

The booking platforms show the cheapest option of each tour as its from-price, and on the day trips that is usually the start in Hiroshima. Prices load from the platforms and include taxes and fees.