Osaka to Hiroshima Shinkansen: Times and Fares

Take a Nozomi from Shin-Osaka: it is the fastest Shinkansen and runs direct to Hiroshima without a change. The Nozomi trains in the October 2026 timetable take between 81 and 89 minutes between the two stations.^[1][2] A reserved ordinary seat on a Nozomi costs 10,750 yen one way in the regular season.^[3]

Which train to take

Nozomi 7 leaves Shin-Osaka at 09:17 and reaches Hiroshima at 10:42, Nozomi 63 leaves at 11:17 and arrives at 12:42, Nozomi 67 leaves at 13:17 and arrives at 14:42, and Nozomi 71 leaves at 15:17 and arrives at 16:42.^[1] In the evening, Nozomi 79 leaves at 20:17 and arrives at 21:46, Nozomi 83 leaves at 21:38 and arrives at 23:07, and Nozomi 89 leaves at 22:29 and arrives at 23:54.^[1] The earliest Nozomi in this list is Nozomi 1 at 08:24. Mizuho 605 leaves at 07:50 and arrives at 09:11, which is 81 minutes.^[4]

From Hiroshima, Nozomi 74 leaves at 06:00 and arrives in Shin-Osaka at 07:28. Nozomi 90 leaves at 10:03 and arrives at 11:28. Nozomi 96 leaves at 13:03, Nozomi 98 at 14:03, Nozomi 100 at 15:03 and Nozomi 40 at 16:03, each arriving 85 minutes later.^[2]

Hikari, Sakura and Kodama also run on the Sanyo Shinkansen. They are slower because they stop at more stations.^[5][6] The reserved ordinary fare on those trains is 10,220 yen, 530 yen less than on a Nozomi.^[3] Extra trains run in busy seasons and the times in the table are a selection, so check the date you travel.^[4]

Classes and seats

Each train has Ordinary Cars and Green Cars (first class). You can reserve a seat in either or buy a non-reserved seat in an Ordinary Car.^[7] The Green Car fare on a Nozomi is 14,410 yen one way.^[8] The smartEX table lists 9,890 yen for a non-reserved ordinary seat.^[9] Reserved ordinary seats cost 200 yen less off-peak and 200 yen more in peak seasons, and 400 yen more in the top season.^[7]

In the major peak periods all Nozomi seats are reserved. A non-reserved ticket then lets you stand on the deck of an ordinary car, while Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho and Sakura keep their non-reserved seats.^[5]

How to book

The smartEX online reservation sells tickets from 5:30 one year before the travel date until 4 minutes before departure. You can book for up to six people and board with a QR ticket or an IC card.^[7] A compatible credit card is needed for the first registration, and your card issuer may charge a foreign transaction fee.^[5] Changes to a reservation are free until 4 minutes before departure.^[7]

At the station, reserved seats go on sale at 10:00 one month before departure at JR ticket counters, ticket vending machines and travel agencies.^[5]

Rail passes and discounted tickets

The Japan Rail Pass does not cover Nozomi and Mizuho. A pass holder buys a separate Nozomi Mizuho ticket at a reserved-seat machine or counter after arriving in Japan.^[6] JR West Rail Pass products that include the Sanyo Shinkansen can be used on Nozomi and Mizuho, with a seat reserved in advance.^[5] JR West also sells a discounted Sanyo Shinkansen one-way ticket for foreign visitors between Osaka City and Hiroshima City for 7,900 yen. It is bought outside Japan as an exchange order, and the holder shows a passport.^[10]

Stations and luggage

Shinkansen trains on this route start at Shin-Osaka, not at Osaka Station, so allow time to reach it by local train. Trains from Tokyo call at Shin-Osaka before Hiroshima, and some continue to Hakata.^[1]

On the Sanyo Shinkansen, bags with the three sides adding up to more than 160 cm and less than 250 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area.^[10]