Written by Alexander Kopp, Sandra Frank, Sophie King
21/08/2025
Salvador Chinchilla, Pexels
Himeji's primary transport hubs are JR Himeji Station and Sanyo-Himeji Station, both conveniently located near Himeji Castle. A dense bus network, operated by Shinki Bus, is centered around Himeji Station, providing local access.
From/To Tokyo:
Shinkansen (Bullet Train):: Nozomi trains take approximately 3 hours, while direct Hikari trains take about 3.5 hours. The one-way fare is around 16,000 yen to 19,000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass fully covers Hikari trains, but a supplement is required for Nozomi trains.
Highway Bus (Overnight):: Travel time is approximately 9 hours 40 minutes to 10 hours, with one-way fares ranging from 4,300 yen to 16,000 yen, depending on the company and travel date.
From/To Osaka:
Shinkansen (Bullet Train):: Nozomi, Sakura, and Hikari trains take approximately 23 to 39 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station. One-way fares range from approximately 1,200 yen to 8,000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Sakura, Hikari, and Kodama trains.
Local JR Trains (Special Rapid Service):: Direct trains from Osaka Station take about 60-64 minutes. The one-way fare is around 1,460 yen to 1,490 yen. The JR Kansai Area Pass is a viable option for this route.
Non-JR Trains (Hanshin Railway):: Limited express trains from Hanshin's Osaka-Umeda Station to Sanyo-Himeji Station take about 100 minutes and cost around 1,320 yen one way. This route is covered by the Kansai Railway Pass.
From/To Kyoto:
Shinkansen (Bullet Train):: Nozomi trains take about 36 to 45 minutes, while direct Hikari trains take roughly 55 minutes. One-way fares range from approximately 1,800 yen to 6,500 yen. The Japan Rail Pass covers Sakura, Hikari, and Kodama trains, but a supplement is required for Nozomi trains.
Local JR Trains (Special Rapid Service):: Direct trains from Kyoto take approximately 90-100 minutes, with a one-way fare around 2,210 yen to 2,270 yen. The 1-Day JR Kansai Area Pass is a good option.
Non-JR Trains:: This route involves transfers and is generally longer, but is covered by the Kansai Railway Pass.
Airport Access:
Kansai International Airport (KIX), Kobe Airport (UKB), and Osaka Itami International Airport (ITM) serve as nearby airports. Limousine buses are available from Kansai International Airport to Himeji Station.
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