Train Tickets from Kyoto to Himeji

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 journey to Himeji


Kyoto, home to 17 UNESCO Heritage Sites, is an essential destination for visitors to Japan and part of the lauded “Golden Route”. There are only a handful of cities in the world that can draw such amazement from visitors. Some streets appear to be stuck in time, juxtaposed with contemporary design just one street over. Additionally, Kyoto is far more than just its central city, as the entirety of Kyoto Prefecture has much to offer. Take a daytrip up to Ine Fishing Village by the coast to see a part of Kyoto many may not venture out to!

Himeji Station is located in the center of Himeji City, the second largest city in Hyogo Prefecture. It is a 20-minute walk out to the iconic Himeji Castle or even just a 10 minute journey using public transportation. Near the castle grounds is the community park, beautiful during springtime with the blossoming cherry blossoms as well as Kokoen Gardens, with distinctly Japanese scenery. Above the city, Mount Shosha’s presence is seen everywhere, and trekking to the top can be done via bus or cable car. The temple at the top of the mountain is a worthwhile pilgrimage. 

Note: Himeji Station is usually not the last stop on this Shinkansen line, which can continue to travel to Hiroshima or even out to Hakata (Fukuoka). Please be mindful of the stops in order to get off at the right station. 

The Tokaido Shinkansen Line is operated by Japan Railways (JR), the largest rail company in Japan. 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 Kyoto to Himeji.

Advantages of taking the train from Kyoto to Himeji

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
Confort

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 Kyoto to Himeji 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 Kyoto to Himeji 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 Kyoto Station and Himeji Station

How to get to Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station, situated in the heart of the historic Japanese capital, is conveniently connected to various local public transportation lines in and around Kyoto operated by JR or Kintetsu, the regional rail operator in the Kansai region. Additionally, the Karasuma subway line serves Kyoto Station. The extensive bus network in Kyoto is centered around Kyoto Station, providing easy access to the station from any part of the city.

Where to go from Himeji Station

Himeji Castle, the castle park, and Kokoen Garden are a short distance from Himeji Station. Walkable within only 20 minutes and then a bit over 10 minutes using the bus that departs from the station. The station is also serviced by the JR Sanyo Mainline, Bantan Line, and Kishin Line, allowing for access to other parts of Hyogo Prefecture and the Kansai Region as a whole. 

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 Kyoto 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 Himeji, insert the ticket again at the gates upon exiting Himeji Station, and the 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 Kyoto to Himeji route.

Frequently Asked Questions about Train Tickets in Japan