How long is the Japan by Rail: Kyoto to Hiroshima and Miyajima route?

This route takes 11 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Kyoto to Miyajima (Itsukushima) in Kansai and Western Honshu, Japan.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is Late March to April and October to November.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with no car (this is a drive-free route).

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Hotels accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Culture, Scenic, Food & drink, City hop, Drive-free.

Japan by Rail: Kyoto to Hiroshima and Miyajima

1

Kyoto

3 nights

The cultural heart of the trip and your rail gateway west. Three nights cover the highlights at a sane pace: Fushimi Inari's torii tunnels at dawn, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, Kiyomizu-dera and the lantern-lit lanes of Gion. Kyoto Station puts the Shinkansen and the local Nara line right at your door.The cultural heart of the trip and your rail gateway west. Three nights cover the highlights at a sane pace: Fushimi Inari's torii tunnels at dawn, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, Kiyomizu-dera and the lantern-lit lanes of Gion. Kyoto Station puts the Shinkansen and the local Nara line right at your door.

Recommendations

2

Nara

1 night

Japan's first permanent capital, an easy 45-minute train from Kyoto. Nara Park's free-roaming sika deer bow for crackers beneath giant cedars, and Todai-ji shelters one of the world's largest bronze Buddhas. One night lets you see the temples after the day-trippers leave, then catch the morning train on to Osaka.Japan's first permanent capital, an easy 45-minute train from Kyoto. Nara Park's free-roaming sika deer bow for crackers beneath giant cedars, and Todai-ji shelters one of the world's largest bronze Buddhas. One night lets you see the temples after the day-trippers leave, then catch the morning train on to Osaka.

Recommendations

3

Osaka

2 nights

Kansai's brash, food-obsessed second city and a lively contrast to Kyoto's calm. Eat your way through the neon canals of Dotonbori and Kuromon market, ride up Osaka Castle's reconstructed keep, then use Shin-Osaka Station as the springboard onto the Sanyo Shinkansen heading west.Kansai's brash, food-obsessed second city and a lively contrast to Kyoto's calm. Eat your way through the neon canals of Dotonbori and Kuromon market, ride up Osaka Castle's reconstructed keep, then use Shin-Osaka Station as the springboard onto the Sanyo Shinkansen heading west.

Recommendations

4

Himeji

1 night

A short Shinkansen stop built around Himeji Castle, the finest surviving feudal fortress in Japan and a UNESCO site. Its brilliant white keep, nicknamed the White Heron, stands a ten-minute walk from the station. Break the journey here overnight to tour the castle and the nearby Koko-en gardens without rushing for a train.A short Shinkansen stop built around Himeji Castle, the finest surviving feudal fortress in Japan and a UNESCO site. Its brilliant white keep, nicknamed the White Heron, stands a ten-minute walk from the station. Break the journey here overnight to tour the castle and the nearby Koko-en gardens without rushing for a train.

Recommendations

5

Hiroshima

2 nights

A modern, open city rebuilt after 1945 and now centred on the Peace Memorial Park. The preserved A-Bomb Dome, the moving Peace Memorial Museum and the cenotaph make for a sober but essential day. Balance it with the city's famous layered okonomiyaki, and use Hiroshima as the comfortable base for the short trip to Miyajima.A modern, open city rebuilt after 1945 and now centred on the Peace Memorial Park. The preserved A-Bomb Dome, the moving Peace Memorial Museum and the cenotaph make for a sober but essential day. Balance it with the city's famous layered okonomiyaki, and use Hiroshima as the comfortable base for the short trip to Miyajima.

Recommendations

6

Miyajima (Itsukushima)

1 night

The trip's serene finale: a sacred island in Hiroshima Bay reached by JR train and ferry. Itsukushima Shrine's vermilion torii appears to float at high tide, tame deer wander the foreshore, and the Mount Misen ropeway opens up island and sea views. Staying overnight lets you enjoy the shrine and quiet streets once the day boats have left.The trip's serene finale: a sacred island in Hiroshima Bay reached by JR train and ferry. Itsukushima Shrine's vermilion torii appears to float at high tide, tame deer wander the foreshore, and the Mount Misen ropeway opens up island and sea views. Staying overnight lets you enjoy the shrine and quiet streets once the day boats have left.

Recommendations

Japan by Rail: Kyoto to Hiroshima and Miyajima