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Leaving behind the poignant history of Hiroshima for the neon lights and open-air food stalls of Fukuoka is one of the easiest hops in Japan. A single bullet train carries you across the Kanmon Straits from Honshu to Kyushu, from the island's reflective past to its modern, energetic side.
Hiroshima to Fukuoka by Train
The Sanyo Shinkansen connects Hiroshima Station with Hakata Station, the main rail hub of Fukuoka, in about 1 hour 8 minutes.[1] Trains are frequent, and no other mode of transport comes close for this pair of cities. You can check availability and book on GoAsia.cc.
Fares depend on the train type. For a reserved ordinary-car seat in the regular season, smartEX lists 9,430 yen on the faster Nozomi and Mizuho trains and 8,900 yen on Hikari, Sakura and Kodama trains.[2] An unreserved seat costs 8,570 yen,[3] and a Green Car (first class) seat costs 12,560 yen on Hikari, Sakura and Kodama or 13,090 yen on Nozomi and Mizuho.[4] Prices rise or fall by a few hundred yen in the peak and off-peak seasons.[2]
Reserved or Unreserved
A reserved seat guarantees a place on a specific train, which is worth having on public holidays and at other busy times. During peak periods Nozomi has no unreserved seats at all, and unreserved ticket holders may only stand in the passageway. Hikari and Kodama keep their unreserved cars.[5]
Discounted Ticket for Foreign Visitors
Visitors who hold a foreign passport and enter Japan as temporary visitors can buy JR West's discounted Sanyo Shinkansen One-way Ticket. Hakata to Hiroshima City costs 6,300 yen. The ticket is not sold in Japan: you buy an exchange order from a travel agency abroad and swap it for the ticket at a JR West exchange location within 3 months. You may not get off at intermediate stations.[6]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (JPY) | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen (Unreserved) | 8,570[3] | About 1h 8min[1] | High |
| Shinkansen (Reserved) | 8,900 to 9,430[2] | About 1h 8min[1] | Excellent |
| Shinkansen (Green Car) | 12,560 to 13,090[4] | About 1h 8min[1] | Premium |
Tips for Traveling from Hiroshima to Fukuoka
- Japan Rail Pass: The pass is not valid for any seat on Nozomi and Mizuho trains. Use Hikari or Sakura instead, or buy the separate NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket.[7]
- Try an Ekiben: One of the joys of Japanese rail travel is the bento box. Look for Hiroshima specials such as anago-meshi (conger eel on rice) and buy your lunch before boarding.
- Luggage Rules: Baggage with total dimensions of more than 160 cm and up to 250 cm requires a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area, and baggage over 250 cm is not allowed.[8] Small suitcases and backpacks fit on the overhead racks.
- Station Locations: In Fukuoka the Shinkansen arrives at Hakata Station, not "Fukuoka Station". Hakata is the heart of the city's transit network, a short subway ride from the Tenjin downtown area and Fukuoka Airport.
Timetable
| Train Hiroshima - Fukuoka $ 37.79–61.08 1h 1m – 1h 55m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Hiroshima to Fukuoka, including current prices and schedules.
The cheapest regular option is an unreserved Shinkansen seat at 8,570 yen. Visitors with a foreign passport can pay 6,300 yen for the Hakata to Hiroshima City section with JR West's discounted one-way ticket, if they buy the exchange order abroad before arriving.
The Shinkansen is the fastest and the only practical option, taking about 1 hour 8 minutes from Hiroshima Station to Hakata Station. Nozomi and Mizuho trains are the faster train types and cost slightly more than Hikari, Sakura and Kodama.
The Shinkansen takes about 1 hour 8 minutes from Hiroshima Station to Hakata Station.
A reserved seat is recommended on public holidays and at other busy times. During peak periods Nozomi has no unreserved seats, while Hikari and Kodama keep unreserved cars. On a normal weekday an unreserved ticket on a Hikari, Sakura or Kodama is usually enough.
Shinkansen trains from Hiroshima arrive at Hakata Station. It is the primary railway hub in Fukuoka and gives easy access to the city's subway system, local buses and the airport.
It is a local tradition to buy an ekiben (station lunch box) at Hiroshima Station before boarding and enjoy it during the ride. Buying food before you board is safer than relying on on-board sales.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Association: Fukuoka: A Guide to Flights and Easy Access to Your Gateway to Asia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [2] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service Prices (Reserved Seat in Ordinary Cars). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [3] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service Prices (Non-reserved Seat in Ordinary Cars). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [4] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service Prices (Green Cars). Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [5] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): All seats on Nozomi trains are reserved during peak periods. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [6] West Japan Railway Company (JR West): SANYO-SHINKANSEN One-way Ticket Information. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [7] JAPAN RAIL PASS: Scope of validity - JAPAN RAIL PASS. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [8] West Japan Railway Company (JR West): Oversized Luggage. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.