Kyoto to Hiroshima: Is a Day Trip Possible?

Kyoto to Hiroshima: Is a Day Trip Possible?

Travelling Wellman > Japan > Kyoto to Hiroshima: Is a Day Trip Possible?

Japan is a big country with a lot to see so it is hard to check off everything on your list. We were in the country for 3 weeks and we saw a lot. Even still, we left with a list of things we still wanted to experience. One of the cities on the top of our list was Hiroshima but we were not sure if we could make it. This is when we started planning a day trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima to see if it was possible.

The trip takes some planning and a willingness to wake up a little early. Hiroshima is a beautiful city and we recommend spending a few days there if you can. On the other hand, most of the city highlights are located pretty close to one another so it can be done in a day. Keep reading to find out what train to take, where to eat, and what to see.

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Take the Early Train

Where to Stay in Kyoto

Kyoto is a big city with a lot of beautiful neighbourhoods to explore. If you’re planning on using Kyoto as a base to take day trips to places like Osaka or Hiroshima then you should stay near Kyoto Station. This is the main JR Shinkansen Station in the city that will connect you to the rest of the country. You will be unstoppable with your JR Pass in hand!

We stayed in between Kyoto Station and the Gion District at the Citadines Karasuma-Gojo located near the Gojo subway station. The hotel is beautiful with rooms that are massive by Japanese standards. It’s also located one stop away from Kyoto Station so we didn’t have to wake up as early as if we stayed further away.

All Aboard

Hotel choice is important if you’re planning a day trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima because you need to get up early. Even though the Shinkansen travels at over 320 km/hr it will still take you about an hour and 45 minutes on a direct train. If you miss the direct train, you will have to transfer at Shin-Osaka which will add another 30-45 minutes to your trip.

Make sure you are taking the right train if you have your JR Pass. The pass only covers Hikari and Kodama trains so avoid the Nozomi and Mizuho. This sounds more confusing than it is since the trains are clearly marked. The Super Express trains only cuts your travel time by about 20 minutes so you’re not missing much.

You will want to make it to Kyoto Station in time for the 7:20am train. This train runs most days but double check the JR West Timetable for your day. You should bookmark that timetable because it was incredibly useful for us during our trip! If you take that train, you will be pulling into Hiroshima Station by 9:04am. This will give you a full day of exploring this beautiful city.

Getting There by Bus or Car

If trains aren’t your thing then you can still get from Kyoto to Hiroshima by bus or car. These both take longer and cost more since they aren’t included in your JR Pass. If you take a car, the trip is around 4.5 hours long and will cost you ¥8,000 ($98 CAD/$77 USD) in tolls on top of fuel. You will also need to pay for parking during your stay and leave earlier if it’s just a day trip.

If you want to take a bus for a day trip then your options are limited. Buses take about 6.5 hours to reach Hiroshima which doesn’t leave you much time before heading back to Kyoto. You should instead look into the overnight bus options to get you there as early as possible. The overnight buses cost ¥6,100 and allow you to sleep from Kyoto to Hiroshima. We really recommend the Shinkansen over a bus or car on a day trip!

MiyajimA First or Second?

If you’re planning a trip to Hiroshima you’ve probably already heard about Miyajima Island. It’s located just off the coast of Hiroshima and is home to the Itsukushima Shrine. You can visit the island by ferry but you have a choice to make. First, you can head straight from Hiroshima Station to the ferry and enjoy a morning on Miyajima. Otherwise, spend the morning in the city and head to the island for sunset. Our itinerary will be Hiroshima first but feel free to swap the morning and afternoon.

Exploring Hiroshima

The city of Hiroshima is huge with so much to discover. Like we mentioned above, you will need at least 2 to 3 days in the area to experience it all. We were like most people and did not have the luxury of time on our trip. Luckily it is possible to do a Kyoto to Hiroshima day trip to see the top sights.

The city has fantastic public transportation which will help you get around easily. Your SUICA Card will work in Hiroshima so make sure you keep it close! With trains, subways, buses, and trams you can reach every nook and cranny. You will need to keep an eye on the clock to make the most out of your day trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima.

Peace Memorial Park

One area that cannot be missed in Hiroshima is Peace Memorial Park. This area in the centre of the city holds reminders and monuments of the bomb that was dropped in WWII. On August 6, 1945, Hiroshima became the first city in history to be hit with an atomic bomb. The blast devastated the city but they were able to rebuild into a vibrant city as you will see during your trip.

You can get to the Peace Memorial Park very easily from Hiroshima Station. Simply head to the Hiroshima Electric Railway stop outside of the station and board the #6 line. This will take you directly to the park within 15-20 minutes. At the park you can see the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Children’s Peace Monument, and Peace Memorial Museum. You can read more about each of them in our Hiroshima Guide Post.

Visit The Hypocenter

Head back towards the Atomic Bomb Dome once you leave the museum. Cross the river back into the city and keep your eyes peeled for a small plaque. This monument is there to mark the exact spot where the bomb detonated 600m in the air. Known as the Hypocenter, it is easy to miss. Click the link for the exact coordinates to make your search more simple.

Reflect in the Garden

If you’re looking for something a little lighter after experiencing the Peace Memorial Museum there is a beautiful garden in Hiroshima you must visit. The Shukkeien Garden is about 15 to 20 minutes from Peace Memorial Park by transit. Opened in 1620, this garden is a welcome escape from the hustle-and-bustle of the city.

The garden is full of lush greenery and koi ponds with centuries-old bridges spanning across them. There is a path that will take you through the entire grounds and will let you get up close and personal with Sakura blossoms if you visit in springtime. There are also tea ceremonies along with special events held year-round. The grounds are especially quiet in winter so you will feel like you have it all to yourself!

Hiroshima Castle

There are so many beautiful castles around Japan and Hiroshima Castle is no different. If you have the time we really recommend getting to the castle grounds. The castle is iconic surrounded with a beautifully maintained garden. It is located an 8 minute walk from Shukkeien so you could see it on the way there or back.

One thing we don’t recommend, however, is going into the castle. Like most of the others around Japan, the inside of Hiroshima Castle is a bit underwhelming. Don’t get us wrong, there’s a lot of great information on its history and a nice view at the top but it is not what you expect. It’s been heavily modified on the inside to resemble more of a sterile museum than feudal castle. Stick to the outside and gardens instead!

Head to the Island

Getting to Miyajima

Another reason many tourists visit Hiroshima is to make the voyage across to Miyajima Island. Known as “Shrine Island” it is easily accessible from a few points in the city. It is best to plan for a full day on the island to see everything. On the other hand, you can see the main sights in a morning or afternoon if you stick to a schedule.

You essentially have 3 options for getting over to the island. The first is probably the easiest if you are already at or near Peace Memorial Park. Head towards the Aquanet Ferry Dock and purchase a ticket for the next ferry. The ticket will cost you ¥3,600 and will take you along the World Heritage Route. This is a beautiful journey highlighting the best of the Hiroshima coastline during your 40 minute trip.

You could also head to the Hiroshima Port to hop on the Setonaikaikisen Ferry for ¥3,400. This trip is a bit faster at 30 minutes not including the time it will take you getting to the port. It takes a more direct route but still gives great views of Hiroshima.

JR Ferry Included with your Pass

These ferries are a great option but we recommend a third option: the JR Ferry. This journey only takes about 15 minutes but you have to get yourself to the JR Ferry Terminal. Even though the Ferry Terminal is a bit out of the way we still suggest you make this trip. This is because the journey is included with your JR Pass so you don’t have to worry about extra expenses.

On the Island

There is a lot to see and do once you reach the island so plan your time wisely. The main attraction is the iconic O-torii Gate. Also known as the Floating Gate, this is a unique experience in Japan. This torii gate looks like it’s floating on water if you go at high tide. It’s even worth a visit at low tide because you can almost walk right up to it! Unfortunately, the O-torii Gate was covered for construction while we were in Hiroshima so we weren’t able to take a peek.

If you are luckier than us then you should head to Itsukushima Shrine for an amazing view of O-torii Gate. This mythical shrine is dedicated to 3 female deities and is one of the largest in Japan. People have come to worship, in one way or another, at this shrine for centuries. The scenery changes from high to low tide so it’s worth more than one visit.

The Most Deer Outside of Nara

The deer of Nara, just outside of Kyoto, are probably some of the most famous in the world. You will find a similar but lesser known group of deer roaming freely across Miyajima Island. This herd is similar to their Nara cousins in that they are more than happy to greet visitors and bow their heads. They are bowing because they have learned this is the best way to get treats from tourists. However, the official policy of the island is to not touch, feed, or get too close to the deer. Many tourists ignore these rules so the deer can be a little cheeky when they don’t get what they want.

After visiting the gate, shrine, and bowing deer you are free to roam the island. If you’ve built up an appetite you can visit one of the many food stalls for the island’s speciality. Miyajima Island is world-renown for its unbelievably large oysters. Now, we’re not talking about some decent size offerings but oysters literally the size of your hand!

Explore Natural Beauty

Once, you’re fueled up on treats from the sea you’ll have the energy to hike around the island. There are three trails around the island: Momijidani, Daisho-in, and Omoto. The Momijidani trail is technically the shortest but also has the steepest climb and winds mostly through forest. If you’re looking for the best views then your best bet is the Daisho-in trail. These hikes are well worth the time if you have it!

What to Eat in Hiroshima

Become an Okonomiyaki Snob

It’s a word that is hard to pronounce at first but will quickly become fun to say: Okonomiyaki. There is a lot of disagreement as to where the dish was invented but most agree it was either in Hiroshima or Osaka. Each city has its own variation of the dish but we personally lean towards Hiroshima-style as our favourite.

Okonomiyaki is kind of like a savoury pancaked full of egg, Japanese bacon, seafood, and cabbage. Osaka-style mixes all of these ingredients together before cooking. Hiroshima-style, on the other hand, is expertly layered and served with yakisoba noodles. Both styles are then smothered in a sweet Worcestershire-type sauce and Japanese mayo. We know it might sound like a strange combo but it will be one of the best things you eat on your trip!

Best near the Peace Park

If you are near Peace Memorial Park when hunger strikes then head to Nagata-Ya. The restaurant is located just across the river with a good number of tables to cut down on wait times. You can either sit along the main grill or get a table with its own grill. They have a lot of okonomiyaki options including some tasty vegetarian ones! You won’t have to cook anything yourself so don’t worry. They will bring it to your table and put it on the grill to keep it warm.

Heading Home

We’ve laid out a full schedule for you so make sure to keep an eye on your watch! The Shinkansen are great for a Kyoto to Hiroshima day trip but you don’t want to miss your train home. Use your SUICA Card to get back to Hiroshima Station then show your JR Pass before heading to the platform.

It is rare to find a direct train back to Kyoto so you will most likely have to transfer in Osaka. Don’t worry if this is your first time making a train transfer because the platforms are clearly marked with departure screens everywhere. Almost all of the signs in major stations are translated to English so you can find your way around without problems. Transfer times are also more than long enough for you to get from one train to the next.

Last Train Out

The absolute last train from Hiroshima to Kyoto is at 9:59pm. This will have you transfer at Osaka to a local JR Train for the rest of your journey. These trains are not as fast as the Shinkansen so the trip is about 45 minutes long. You will be pulling into Kyoto Station at 12:43am ready to get into a bed after a long day!

Let us know about your Kyoto to Hiroshima day trip in the comments below. In the meantime, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about the latest travel guides and giveaways!

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