Hiroshima was the first city to experience an atomic bomb in human history. Its most poignant sites are the Atomic Bomb Dome, also known as the Genbaku Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
Atomic Bomb Dome at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
However, Hiroshima also has other points of interest such as Hiroshima Castle, Shukkeien Garden and Hiroshima Museum of Art. Hiroshima Castle’s main keep closed in March 2026, but the castle exterior can still be viewed, and the Ninomaru reconstructed buildings, Ninomaru museum shop, San-no-maru area and sightseeing boat continue to operate.
Hiroshima cityscape with Hiroshima Castle in the middle
The city is also known for its unique style of savory okonomiyaki pancakes. These pancakes differ from Osaka-style okonomiyaki in both their ingredients and how they are made. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki ingredients are layered rather than mixed, and commonly include noodles, cabbage, egg, pork or seafood.
Moreover, Hiroshima is an excellent base from which to travel to Miyajima Island, also known as Itsukushima, with its famous seafront shrine and the giant torii gate, which appears to float on the sea at high tide.
“Floating” torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine
There are two main ways to travel from Osaka to Hiroshima by public transport: by the shinkansen bullet train or by highway bus.
Osaka to Hiroshima By Shinkansen Train
Two shinkansen bullet trains at Shin-Osaka Station
You can take a bullet train on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station. The adult one-way fare starts at 9,890 yen for an ordinary non-reserved seat. A regular-season Smart EX ordinary reserved seat on a Nozomi or Mizuho service is 10,750 yen; reserved-seat prices vary by train type and season.
Train time varies according to the train service. Many Nozomi and Mizuho services take about 1 hour and 20-30 minutes, many Sakura services take about 1 hour and 25-35 minutes, and Hikari or Kodama services can take longer.
Sakura, Hikari, and Kodama services are the straightforward shinkansen choices for travelers using the Japan Rail Pass. Nozomi and Mizuho trains are not covered by the pass alone, but pass holders can ride them by buying a special Nozomi/Mizuho ticket before boarding. The adult supplement from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima is 4,170 yen.
By Bus
Regular daytime and overnight bus services run from Osaka to Hiroshima. JR Bus Chugoku’s Osaka-Hiroshima services depart from Osaka Station’s JR Express Bus Terminal and arrive at Hiroshima Bus Center and Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Exit. Scheduled Osaka departures include daytime buses at 10:30 and 14:00, and overnight buses at 22:30 and 23:30.
The daytime buses take about 5 hours and 20 minutes to reach Hiroshima Station. The overnight buses arrive the following morning, with scheduled Hiroshima Station arrivals at 6:20 and 6:10. Adult one-way fares range from 3,500 yen to 10,000 yen depending on the service, seat type, and booking date. You can check the most up-to-date times and make bookings at the Kousokubus website or make bookings directly at the JR Expressway Bus Ticket Center on Osaka Station’s 1st Floor.
Article by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 13-Aug-2026.
