Train Tickets from Hiroshima to Osaka

Hiroshima will be recognized in history as the site of the first atomic bomb attack. Rebuilt in the present era, it has developed into one of Japan's liveliest and most culturally diverse cities, drawing tourists who come to honor the city's history, take in the breathtaking scenery and skyline, and savor the delectable cuisine.

The famous Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and A-Bomb Dome, and the Hiroshima Museum of Art are must-see locations. Take a tour of the Mazda Museum and explore the city on one of the famous cable cars, which have been a fixture of the city since before World War II!

Osaka is the largest city in the Kansai region, a portion of Japan's Honshu Island, with a rich culture and a plethora of attractions popular with both locals and tourists. The city of Osaka itself is well-known for its eccentric residents, sights, and street cuisine. See well-known places, including the Tower of the Sun Park, Dotonbori, and the shopping district around Umeda Station! Also, be sure to see the amazing history Osaka has to offer, with Himeji Castle as a popular and standout destination. The interestingly shaped Mozu tombs also present a unique and educational visit for those who travel to the city!

During the ride, travelers will have access to a number of amenities, including power outlets, reclining chairs, and collapsible trays to use to eat eki-ben, special lunch boxes made specifically for long-distance Shinkansen bullet train travel! Tickets booked with Japan Experience are issued through an official partnership with JR West, meaning you are dealing directly with the train operator that will take you from Hiroshima to Osaka.

How to get to Hiroshima Station

Utilizing Hiroshima Station as a base of operations, it is reachable from many spots throughout the city! The Sanyo Line, Geibi Line, Kabe Line, and Hiroden Line can all be used to get to Hiroshima Station, as well as a number of bus lines, and the historic Hiroden Tram Cars go throughout the city, often disembarking from and arriving at Hiroshima Station. The station is also easily accessible from other prefectures within the region. For example, travel from Okayama can be made directly with the Shinkansen bullet train, as can transit from Kyushu.

Where to go from Shin-Osaka Station

Shin-Osaka Station was instituted to service the newly debuted Shinkansen bullet train in 1964, debuted for the Tokyo Olympics held that same year. Shin-Osaka serves as the major hub for traveling from Osaka to other locations within Kansai and all of Japan. As a major station in a major city, a number of train lines go through Shin-Osaka Station, including the JR Osaka Loop Line and trains on the Kobe and Kyoto Lines.

Going from Shin-Osaka Station to other major locations within the city (and even other parts of Kansai) is made easy with the number of train lines and buses available to travel around, primarily the JR Kyoto Line and the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line. Use these options to get to other major parts of the city, like Umeda and Dotonbori!

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. This free fare is limited to 2 tickets, meaning any additional child under 6 will then pay the classic child fare.

Where to exchange your train tickets in Japan depending on region

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 Hiroshima 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 Osaka, insert the ticket again at the gates upon exiting Shin-Osaka Station, and the city is now yours to explore. 

Modification and Cancellation

Order cancellation

Customers have up to 3 working days prior to their departure date to cancel their train ticket orders as long as they have not scanned the corresponding QR code and exchanged for their physical train tickets. A 15% cancellation fee will be charged, and the QR code will be instantly deactivated upon order cancellation. Cancellation of only a portion of the booking is not possible. 

For train ticket orders that have already had the corresponding QR code scanned and where the tickets have been received, or orders in less than 3 working days before departure, orders may be canceled at JR Station offices in the departure city up to 10 minutes before your train departure, where a refund will be issued with a 5%-10% cancellation fee, depending on the station and office. This refund will be made in cash in Japanese yen. 

Cancellation cannot be done at ticket machines. Please note JR Central offices can only cancel routes running through JR Central lines. 

Past the day and time of departure, refunds cannot be issued, regardless if the corresponding QR code has been used or not, and regardless if customers have received their physical tickets or not. Note that however, if you missed the departure train of the time, you can still board the next trains within 1 hour, in non-reserved seats.

These cancellation conditions still apply after one modification, according to the modification conditions below.

Order modification 

If you want to modify:

• Departure time on the same day OR seat for another seat except luggage seat:

Japan Experience can modify one time, free of charge, your booking if the corresponding QR code has not been used AND if it is NOT within 3 working days of the departure date. 

You will then be sent a new QR code to use at JR stations to exchange for your new tickets.

Otherwise, you will need to go to JR station machines to exchange your QR code to receive your tickets and then change the departure time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to your train departure.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information.

• Departure date, route, seat for luggage seat, number of seats in the booking: 

Japan Experience cannot modify your booking. You will need to go to JR station machines to exchange QR code to receive your tickets and change time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to departure. There may be a difference in fare to be paid on the spot.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information. 

• If you have made a mistake in your departure date or number of seats, you have to make a new booking online. Japan Experience will allow you to cancel your previous order free of charge. Kindly note that modifications for the new issued tickets won't be possible.

Eligibility

All persons above the age of 12, with no restrictions on 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 Hiroshima to Shin-Osaka route.