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Leaving the poignant history and urban charm of Hiroshima for the volcanic landscapes of Kagoshima takes you from the heart of Honshu to the southern tip of Kyushu. Hiroshima is defined by its resilient spirit and the Seto Inland Sea; Kagoshima greets you with the smoking silhouette of Sakurajima, an active volcano just across the bay. The train runs through the mountainous spine of Kyushu into a subtropical climate where palm trees line the streets.
Hiroshima to Kagoshima by Train
The Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines join up, so the Mizuho and Sakura run straight from Hiroshima to Kagoshima-Chuo Station without a change. About 22 direct trains a day run, the first leaving Hiroshima at 06:43 and the last at 21:16. The Mizuho takes 2 hours 27 minutes to 2 hours 32 minutes and the Sakura 2 hours 38 minutes to 2 hours 56 minutes.[1] Since the Kumamoto earthquake of 28 July 2026, the Kyushu Shinkansen between Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo has run a revised timetable, with some trains slower.[2]
On smartEX, JR's online booking service, a reserved ordinary seat on the Sakura costs ¥19,110 and an unreserved seat ¥18,780 (regular season, prices as of April 2025).[3][4] Mizuho prices are listed separately.
A reserved seat guarantees your place, which helps in holiday periods or in a group. Unreserved seats exist on the Mizuho and Sakura but can fill up.[5]
The Japan Rail Pass covers the Sakura. The Mizuho needs a NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket bought before boarding.[6]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen Mizuho | Hiroshima to Kagoshima-Chuo, direct | 2h 27m to 2h 32m[1] |
| Shinkansen Sakura | Hiroshima to Kagoshima-Chuo, direct | 2h 38m to 2h 56m[1] |
Tips for Traveling from Hiroshima to Kagoshima
- Buy an Ekiben: Hiroshima Station has a good selection of ekiben, the station bento boxes. Look for local oysters or anago, saltwater eel, for a gourmet lunch on the train.
- Luggage Rules: Bags up to 160 cm in total dimensions fit at your feet or on the overhead rack. Bags of 161 to 250 cm need a seat with oversized baggage space, reserved at no extra charge when you buy your ticket.[7]
- Station Navigation: Hiroshima Station is large but well signposted in English. Leave time to find your platform, and pick up momiji manju, maple-leaf cakes, for the road.
- Arrival in Kagoshima: The train arrives at Kagoshima-Chuo Station, the city's main hub, with Sakurajima just across the bay.
Timetable
| Train Hiroshima - Kagoshima $ 117.91–171.30 2h 20m – 2h 51m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Hiroshima to Kagoshima, including current prices and schedules.
An unreserved seat on the Sakura costs ¥18,780 (regular season, prices as of April 2025). It lets you board the unreserved cars of the Sakura on your travel date.
The Mizuho Shinkansen, which takes 2 hours 27 minutes to 2 hours 32 minutes from Hiroshima to Kagoshima-Chuo.
The direct Shinkansen takes between 2 hours 27 minutes and 2 hours 56 minutes, depending on whether you take the Mizuho or the Sakura. Since the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake the Kyushu section runs a revised timetable, with some trains slower.
You can buy tickets at the station, but reserve ahead in Golden Week, Obon and New Year. Booking early also lets you secure a seat with oversized luggage space.
Yes, on the Sakura. The Mizuho is not covered; pass holders can ride it with a NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket bought before boarding.
Buy your food and drinks at Hiroshima Station before you board; the station has a large choice of ekiben.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] West Japan Railway Company (JR-Odekake Net): Section timetable: Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, Tokyo to Kagoshima-Chuo. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [2] Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu): Full Resumption of Kyushu Shinkansen Services Confirmed. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
- [3] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service Prices (Reserved Seat in Ordinary Cars). Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [4] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service Prices (Non-reserved Seat in Ordinary Cars). Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [5] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): All seats on Nozomi trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen are reserved seats during the major peak periods. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- [6] JAPAN RAIL PASS: Use of NOZOMI/MIZUHO trains. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- [7] 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.