Train Tickets from Himeji to Kyoto

34 Number
of daily departures
0h49 Shortest
travel duration
$34 Our best
available price
07:20 / 23:05 Earliest / Latest
departure time

More information about your trip to Kyoto


Himeji is home to the iconic Himeji Castle, a popular historical destination that often serves as a great day trip attraction for those spending time in Kyoto. But whether the trip is just for a single day, or an extended time to enjoy other attractions like the overlooking Mount Shosha, rest assured that getting to Kyoto to see its 17 different UNESCO World Heritage sites that exist among modern urban environments, is done best by Shinkansen! 

Both Himeji Station and Kyoto Station are centrally located in their respective cities. Himeji Castle is walking distance from the station, though public transport is also a viable option! Kyoto Station is at the heart of the city, with much of the ancient capital’s most recognizable landmarks stemming from the roads that lead to and from it! Take a look at available Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen departures to visit both incredible spots!

Advantages of taking the train from Himeji to Kyoto

shinkansen nozomi 700s jr central
Efficiency

Covering the distance of 122km between Kyoto and Himeji in a little under an hour, Shinkansen bullet trains are one of the fastest ways to reach your destination relaxed and worry-free. 

shinkansen 700s interior seat seating japan train nozomi jr central
Comfort

Comfortable seats, plenty of space to relax your legs, regularly cleaned carriages and peace and quiet for a relaxing journey. 

shinkansen driver agent jr
Reliability

With hundreds of departures per day and an average delay per train estimated at 24 seconds, the Shinkansen is very reliable. 

shinkansen 700s nozomi eco friendly green
Eco-friendly

Your Himeji to Kyoto itinerary corresponds to 4kg of CO2 emissions by Shinkansen, compared to 31kg by plane on the same journey. Traveling by train is 8 times more eco-responsible than flying!

How to book your Himeji to Kyoto train tickets?

Pick your date, time & seat

You can book up to 9 months prior to your travel date.

Confirm and purchase

Order your train ticket securely online.

Receive your QR code

Get your QR code by email 1 month before departure.

Exchange and enjoy

Follow the instructions received on how to exchange your QR code and enjoy your ride.

kyoto himeji train map

More information about Himeji Station and Kyoto Station

How to get to Himeji Station

Himeji Station is operated principally by JR West (Japan Railways), and is a major stop on the Sanyo Main Line as well as the Tokaido-Sanyo Shikansen Line. There is also the JR Kobe Line, Bantal Line, and Kishin Line. Not far from some of the city’s most well-recognized attractions, its central location is convenient, with its surroundings being largely commercial with hotels around. The interior of the station has 5 total platforms that are organized in a way that is multi-layered. 

Where to go from Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station is easily accessible by public transit from JR or Kintetsu, the regional rail company operating in the Kansai area, and is situated in the center of the historic Japanese capital. Kyoto Station is likewise a stop on the Karasuma subway line. Kyoto Station is the hub of the city's renowned and vast bus network, which allows you to connect to a variety of bus routes and travel anywhere in Kyoto.

Why book your train tickets with Japan Experience?

Official seller

Our train tickets are issued through an official partnership with the National Japan Railways Group (JR).

Secure payment

You're in control! We offer different payment options.

Quality at our core

Our team of passionate individuals based in Japan works with you directly, no intermediary needed.

Customer support

We're here to help, 7/7. And available through all channels.

READ MORE ABOUT THE EXCHANGE PROCESS, CONDITIONS, CANCELLATION AND VALIDITY OF TRAIN TICKETS HERE

How far in advance can I book train tickets?

You can book train tickets in Japan between 9 months prior to your train's departure date and 3 days before departure. 

Is there a special train ticket fare for children?

Yes, there are special fares applicable for children. Ages 12 and up are considered adults, but kids aged from 6 to 11 benefit from a reduced fare. Children under the age of 6 travel for free and do not need to book a seat. This free fare is limited to 2 tickets, meaning any additional child under 6 will then pay the classic child fare and will have to book a seat. 

Where to exchange your train tickets in Japan depending on the region

train tickets exchange map japan
 

In the JR West area (blue), you can exchange your QR code for a physical train ticket at reserved seat ticket machines in stations, or at Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket windows with station staff. In the JR Central area (orange), you can exchange your QR code at reserved seat ticket vending machines at indicated stations. In the JR East area (green), you can exchange your train tickets at Shinkansen stations, major stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and Narita Airport stations. 

How to use your train tickets in Japan 

To use your train tickets once you have exchanged them, simply head to Himeji Station, insert your train ticket into the automatic gates (don't forget to take it back), and head to the right platform to hop on your train. On board the train, find the seat number that is on your ticket if you have a seat reservation, and enjoy the ride! Once you've arrived in Kyoto, insert the ticket again at the gates upon exiting Kyoto Station, and the ancient capital city is now yours to explore. 

You can find the conditions of modification and cancellation of our train tickets in our “Frequently Asked Questions” section at the bottom of the page.

Eligibility

All persons above the age of 12, with no restrictions of residence status or nationality, are eligible to purchase individual train tickets (unlike the Japan Rail Pass and some JR regional passes, for example). Japanese individuals as well as foreigners living in Japan can thus purchase train tickets online. Under the age of 12, the aforementioned child fare conditions apply. 

Validity of train tickets

Train tickets issued are only valid for the date and time indicated on your booking, and are to be used only on the Himeji to Kyoto route.

Frequently Asked Questions about Train Tickets in Japan