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You leave Hiroshima's moving history and island shrines for Kobe, a harbour city that feels like a different world of Japanese urban life. Hiroshima is reflective and famous for okonomiyaki; Kobe greets you with cosmopolitan flair, tucked between the Rokko mountains and Osaka Bay. The Shinkansen carries you across the Sanyo region and past scenic coastal stretches in less time than a long lunch.
Whether you are heading to Kobe for its famous beef, the historic foreign settlement of Kitano-cho or the cable car up the mountain for the night view, the transit is straightforward.
Hiroshima to Kobe by Train
The Shinkansen is the way to travel this route. Trains run on the Sanyo Shinkansen and arrive at Shin-Kobe Station. Nozomi and Mizuho take about 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, Sakura about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, and Kodama, which stops at every station, about 2 hours 5 minutes to 2 hours 33 minutes.[1]
A reserved Standard seat costs ¥10,530 on Nozomi and Mizuho and ¥10,000 on Sakura, Hikari and Kodama in the regular season, with ¥400 more or less in peak and off-peak periods.[2] An unreserved seat costs ¥9,670 on the services that have unreserved cars.[3]
The Onboard Experience
Shinkansen trains are famous for punctuality and cleanliness, and the Standard car has fold-down tables and plenty of legroom. No food or drink is sold in Standard Class, so pick up an ekiben at Hiroshima Station first.[4] Hiroshima's oyster and anago (saltwater eel) bento boxes make a good lunch for the ride.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (JPY) | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen Train | ¥9,670 - ¥10,530 | 1h 5min - 2h 33min | High[1] |
Tips for Traveling from Hiroshima to Kobe
- Choose the Right Station: The Shinkansen stops at Shin-Kobe Station in the hills. Sannomiya, the heart of downtown Kobe, is the next stop on the Seishin-Yamate subway line.[5]
- Luggage Rules: Bags over 160 cm in total (length plus width plus height) up to 250 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area, at no extra charge; without a reservation a carry-on fee of ¥1,000 applies.[6]
- Peak Travel Times: During Golden Week, Obon and the New Year period trains get extremely crowded, so book a reserved seat well ahead.
- Missed Your Train: With an unreserved ticket you can board the unreserved car of any later train the same day.[4]
Timetable
| Train Hiroshima - Kobe $ 64.59–67.95 1h 6m – 2h 33m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Hiroshima to Kobe, including current prices and schedules.
An unreserved Shinkansen seat is the cheapest ticket at 9,670 yen. A reserved seat costs 10,000 yen on Sakura, Hikari and Kodama and 10,530 yen on Nozomi and Mizuho.
Nozomi and Mizuho are the fastest Shinkansen services, taking about 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes.
Fast services take about 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes. The all-stations Kodama takes up to about 2 hours 33 minutes.
Shinkansen trains arrive at Shin-Kobe Station. Sannomiya, the central downtown station, is the next stop on the Seishin-Yamate subway line.
No food or drink is sold in Standard Class. Buy an ekiben at Hiroshima Station before you board.
Unreserved seats let you take any later train the same day. Reserving ahead is wise at weekends and on public holidays, and it covers oversized luggage that needs the special baggage area.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] West Japan Railway Company (JR-Odekake Net): Line timetable Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen inbound (Kagoshima-Chuo to Tokyo). Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [2] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service prices: reserved seat in ordinary cars (as of 1 April 2025). Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [3] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service prices: non-reserved seat in ordinary cars (as of 1 April 2025). Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [4] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): Shinkansen Perfect Guide: Tickets & Tips. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [5] Kobe City Transportation Bureau: Subway Map. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
- [6] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): Luggage information. Retrieved November 5, 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.