The Sanyo Shinkansen for Shin-Kobe, Himeji & Hiroshima

The Sanyo Shinkansen is a high-speed “bullet train” rail line operated by JR West between Shin-Osaka Station and Hakata Station in Fukuoka, Kyushu. This is the fastest and most comfortable rail route to take if you are traveling between Osaka and major western cities in Japan such as Kobe, Himeji, Hiroshima and Fukuoka.

Traveling west from Shin-Osaka Station, you can reach Shin-Kobe in about 12 minutes, Himeji in about 30 minutes, Hiroshima in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and Hakata in about 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on the train service. Traveling east from Shin-Osaka, the Tokaido Shinkansen continues to Kyoto, Nagoya, Shin-Yokohama and Tokyo. Beyond Hakata, through services on the Kyushu Shinkansen continue to Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo.

This route can be economical if you have a Japan Rail Pass, especially on longer or multi-city trips. However, train category matters. Hikari, Sakura and Kodama services are covered by the nationwide Japan Rail Pass, but the faster Nozomi and Mizuho services require pass holders to buy a separate Nozomi Mizuho add-on ticket before boarding.

Train Services

There are 5 different train services running on the Sanyo Shinkansen line: the Nozomi, Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho and Sakura. The Nozomi is the fastest and most frequent service, because it stops at only the largest stations on the route. The Mizuho is also a fast service on the Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen route. Nozomi and Mizuho trains are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass unless you buy the required add-on ticket.

For Japan Rail Pass users, the most useful alternatives are usually the Sakura, Hikari and Kodama services.

Sakura trains provide through services from Shin-Osaka, through Hakata and on to Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo via the Kyushu Shinkansen line.

Hikari services are also covered by the Japan Rail Pass, but they are more limited on the Sanyo Shinkansen than on the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Kodama trains are covered by the Japan Rail Pass, but they are the slowest services because they stop at every station on the way.

Reserved seat charges vary by season. Ordinary reserved-seat limited express charges are based on the normal season price, with off-peak fares 200 yen lower, peak fares 200 yen higher and super-peak fares 400 yen higher.

Non-reserved limited express charges are normally 530 yen lower than the normal-season ordinary reserved-seat charge and do not vary by season.

Nozomi and Mizuho reserved seats can also cost more than Hikari, Sakura and Kodama reserved seats on some sections. The non-reserved fares below are adult one-way ordinary-car fares from Shin-Osaka Station, and should be checked again before travel.

Key Destinations

Shin-Osaka Station

If you are travelling by shinkansen, Shin-Osaka Station is your gateway for the Osaka metropolitan area. This is the common station for two shinkansen lines, the Tokaido from Tokyo in the east, and the Sanyo from Fukuoka in the west. At Shin-Osaka Station passengers can connect with the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, which is the main line running north to south through the Osaka Metro network. They can also connect with regular JR lines and several Limited Express services. The Special Rapid train on the JR Kyoto Line also provides quick and easy access from here to both Osaka Station and Kyoto Station.

Shin-Kobe Station

Shin-Kobe Station serves the city of Kobe, the capital city of Hyogo Prefecture. Kobe is an attractive cosmopolitan port city. Its main attractions are Chinatown, Kobe Harborland, Meriken Park, Mount Rokko, and the Ijinkan, an area of foreign houses built in the 19th century.

Non-reserved ticket fare from Shin-Osaka: 1,530 yen

Himeji Station

The city of Himeji is most famous for its spectacular white castle. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle is one of only 12 original medieval castles to have survived the last World War. Nicknamed “White Heron Castle” it is renowned for its beauty.

Non-reserved ticket fare from Shin-Osaka: 3,220 yen

Okayama Station

Okayama Station is a major transportation hub in western Japan. The city of Okayama is known for its castle and the Korakuen Garden. It is also just 16 minutes away by local train from the city of Kurashiki which is famous for its beautifully preserved traditional buildings, canal views and the Ohara Art Museum.

You can also travel from Osaka to Okayama via regular JR train and express bus.

Non-reserved ticket fare from Shin-Osaka: 5,610 yen

Hiroshima Station

Hiroshima is sadly best known as the location of the world’s first nuclear bombing. Its most poignant sites are the Genbaku Atomic Dome, Hiroshima Peace Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Other sites of interest include Hiroshima Castle, the Shukkeien Garden and Hiroshima Museum of Art. Hiroshima is also a good base from which to travel to Miyajima Island, also known as Itsukushima, with its famous sea-front shrine and giant torii gate, which at high tide is partially submerged in the sea.

Non-reserved ticket fare from Shin-Osaka: 9,890 yen

Shin-Iwakuni Station

Shin-Iwakuni Station serves the city of Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Iwakuni is famous for its castle, the arched Kintai Bridge which dates from 1673, cormorant fishing on the Nishiki River, and the white snake sanctuary in Kikko Park. These white snakes are found only in Iwakuni and are nationally designated as a Natural Monument.

Non-reserved ticket fare from Shin-Osaka: 10,550 yen

Shin-Yamaguchi Station

This station serves the city of Yamaguchi, the capital city of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Yamaguchi’s best known attractions are the Rurikoji Temple with its five storied pagoda, Joeiji Temple’s Zen garden and the modern Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church. Passengers who wish to travel to either the historic samurai town of Hagi, or the limestone caves of the Akiyoshidai Plateau can reach them by bus services from Shin-Yamaguchi Station.

Non-reserved ticket fare from Shin-Osaka: 12,320 yen

Kokura Station

Kokura Station is a major transportation hub in the city of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. As the northernmost city of Kyushu it acts as a gateway between the islands of Kyushu and Honshu. Its best known attractions are Kokura Castle and the Mojiko Retro district with its wooden station built in 1914. Hourly buses run from Kokura Station to Kitakyushu Airport. There are also domestic ferry services from the Kitakyushu area to destinations such as Osaka, Kobe, Tokushima, Tokyo and Yokosuka.

Non-reserved ticket fare from Shin-Osaka: 13,870 yen

Hakata Station

Hakata Station in the city of Fukuoka is the last stop on the Sanyo Shinkansen line. Fukuoka is Kyushu’s largest city and Hakata Station is Kyushu’s largest and busiest station. The city’s major attractions are its hilltop castle ruins, the Fukuoka Art Museum, and the expansive Ohori Park.

Non-reserved ticket fare from Shin-Osaka: 14,750 yen

From Shin-Osaka, through Sakura and Mizuho services continue beyond Hakata via the Kyushu Shinkansen line.

Traveling to Nagasaki? Read our article Traveling from Osaka to Nagasaki

Kumamoto Station

Kumamoto city’s most famous attractions are Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Garden, and Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art. Kumamoto is also a good jumping off point for visits to nearby Mount Aso and Aso Kuju National Park.

Non-reserved ticket fare from Shin-Osaka: 18,960 yen

Kagoshima-Chuo Station

This is the southern terminus of the Kyushu Shinkansen line and a major transportation hub in Kagoshima city. Kagoshima is a scenic bayside city at the south western tip of Kyushu. The city lies across from the active volcano of Sakurajima, and has been nicknamed the “Naples of the East”. To reach the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal from Kagoshima-Chuo Station, take a bus to Kagoshima Suizokukan-mae in about 14 minutes and walk for 1 minute, or take the tram to Suizokukan-guchi in about 15 minutes and walk for about 8 minutes. By taxi or car, the ferry terminal is about 15 minutes away. Other attractions include the Sengan-en Garden, the Museum of the Meiji Restoration, and the Reimeikan museum.

Non-reserved ticket fare from Shin-Osaka: 23,090 yen

Maps & Timetables

View detailed route maps for both the Sanyo and Tokaido Shinkansen lines.
To find train times quickly and easily use the JR West Timetable & Route Finder.

Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 26-Jul-2026.