Tokyo to Hiroshima by Shinkansen (2026): Price, Time and JR Pass

Tokyo to Hiroshima is a long ride but an easy one: a direct Nozomi takes 3 hours 47 minutes to 4 hours and a reserved seat costs ¥19,760. Book on JR Central's smartEX and it's ¥19,560.

This is the trip where people start asking about the JR Pass. A return alone is ¥39,520, still less than the ¥50,000 pass. We checked the fares on JR's official pages on 6 November 2026.

Card not working on JR's site? Klook sells Shinkansen tickets in your currency, with support in English. JR's own smartEX sells it for ¥19,560.

Shinkansen tickets on Klook ↗

By How to Book Japan Editorial TeamLast checked Nov 7, 2026

Some links on this page are affiliate links. JR's own site is the same price or cheaper, and we say so where it is.

The answer in one box

Fastest train

Direct Nozomi, 3h47 to 4h00Example: Nozomi 153, Tokyo 11:21 → Hiroshima 15:15 (3h54).

Price

¥19,760 reserved (regular ticket) · ¥19,560 smartEXRegular ticket becomes ¥20,620 for purchases from 1 July 2027.

On sale

10:00 Japan time, one month before

Where to book

smartEX (JR Central) · Klook · station machines

JR Pass?

Only with more long trips in the same weekReturn ¥39,520 vs ¥50,000 for 7 days, plus ¥6,500 per Nozomi ride with the pass.

Is there a direct train from Tokyo to Hiroshima?

Yes. Many Nozomi trains run straight through from Tokyo to Hiroshima and Hakata, stopping at Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe and Okayama; some also stop at Himeji or Fukuyama. You don't need to change.

Tokyo → Kyoto

2h11Times for Nozomi 153.

Tokyo → Shin-Osaka

2h27

Shin-Osaka → Hiroshima

1h25

Tokyo → Hiroshima

3h54 in totalOther direct Nozomi take 3h47 to 4h00.

Mt Fuji is on the right (seat E) on the way west. Mt Fuji seat →

Should I break the trip in Kyoto or Osaka?

If you want to see them, yes. Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Hiroshima as separate tickets costs ¥14,170 + ¥580 + ¥10,950 = ¥25,700. That's about ¥5,900 more than the ¥19,760 direct ticket, because each stop starts a new fare. Each leg is short and easy.

Tokyo to Kyoto →Tokyo to Osaka →

Is the JR Pass worth it for Hiroshima?

For a return alone, no: ¥39,520 against ¥50,000. The pass covers the Hikari and Sakura at no extra cost; on the Nozomi you pay a separate ticket each ride.

Tokyo ⇄ Hiroshima return

¥39,520 separate · ¥50,000 passNozomi with the pass adds ¥6,500 each way.

Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Hiroshima → Tokyo

¥45,460 separate · ¥50,000 passThe pass wins only if your other JR rides that week cost more than the ¥4,540 difference. Add them in the calculator.

Without Nozomi

Hikari + Sakura, change at Shin-Osaka or OkayamaSlower than the direct Nozomi: the Hikari alone takes 3h59 to 4h03 from Tokyo to Okayama.

Check your trip in the JR Pass calculator →Buy on JR's official site (¥50,000)JR Pass on Klook (¥53,000) ↗

Agencies charge ¥53,000 since October 2026; the official site is cheaper. The Klook link is an affiliate link.

Is a JR West pass cheaper than the JR Pass?

If you fly into Osaka, or only ride the Tokyo–Kyoto leg once, a JR West pass for the western part can beat the JR Pass. None of them covers Tokyo.

Kansai + Hiroshima

Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass

¥17,000Child ¥8,500Not valid Tokyo–Osaka

5 days. Shin-Osaka–Hiroshima Shinkansen, Kansai trains, HARUKA from Kansai Airport and the JR Miyajima ferry.

Kansai-Hiroshima pass on Klook ↗

Affiliate link. Shin-Osaka–Hiroshima return alone is ¥21,900.

Whole JR West area

JR-WEST All Area Pass

¥26,000

7 days. Shin-Osaka to Hakata, Hokuriku Shinkansen west of Joetsu-Myoko, Miyajima ferry.

Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass in detail →

How do I book Tokyo to Hiroshima?

Open smartEX and sign up. The Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen are both on smartEX, so one booking covers the whole trip. smartEX guide →
Search Tokyo → Hiroshima. Look for a Nozomi that runs through without a change.
Pick a seat and pay. Seat E for Mt Fuji. Add an oversized-baggage seat for bags over 160 cm in total.
Four hours is a long ride without data. A Japan eSIM is set up before you fly.
Japan eSIM on Klook ↗

What we checked on 6 November 2026

JR's English timetable for Nozomi 153: Tokyo 11:21, Kyoto 13:32, Shin-Osaka 13:48, Hiroshima 15:15, then on to Hakata.

smartEX's price notice: Tokyo–Hiroshima ¥19,560 (Nozomi, Ordinary Car, regular season).

JR Pass official page: the Nozomi ticket for pass holders is ¥6,500 Tokyo–Hiroshima and ¥4,170 Shin-Osaka–Hiroshima.

What if…?

…I miss my train?

With a regular ticket, ride a later train the same day in a non-reserved car. smartEX Hayatoku tickets are only valid on the booked train.

…I have a big suitcase?

161–250 cm needs an oversized-baggage seat on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen (¥1,000 on board if not reserved). Luggage rules →

…I'd rather fly?

Haneda–Hiroshima flights exist, but the airport limousine bus to Hiroshima Station's Shinkansen side takes about 50 minutes (¥1,500). Add that and airport check-in time when you compare door to door.