How to travel between Himeji and Tokyo
By shinkansen
Tokyo and Himeji are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. Nozomi trains require about three hours to reach Himeji Station from Tokyo, while direct Hikari trains require roughly 3.5 hours. The regular one way fare from Tokyo to Himeji is around 16,000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Hikari trains, but not on Nozomi trains.
By local trains
By local trains, the one way trip from Tokyo to Himeji takes about ten hours and typically involves at least four transfers of trains. The regular fare is a relatively expensive 10,010 yen, however, with a Seishun 18 Kippu you can do the trip for as little as 2,410 yen.
By bus
Shinki Bus and Keio Bus operate night buses between Himeji (Himeji Station) and Tokyo (Shibuya Mark City, Shinjuku Bus Terminal). The one way fare is around 10,000 yen. Travel time is about 10 hours. Fares by discount bus operators, such as Willer Express, start from around 6,000 yen. If used effectively, the Japan Bus Pass can reduce the cost for the bus trip to around 3,000 yen. Online reservations can be made through Willer.
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How to travel between Himeji and Kyoto
By shinkansen
Kyoto and Himeji are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. Nozomi trains require about 45 minutes to reach Himeji Station from Kyoto, while direct Hikari trains require roughly 55 minutes. The regular one way fare from Kyoto to Himeji is around 5000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Sakura, Hikari and Kodama trains, but not on Nozomi trains.
By local JR trains
Direct JR special rapid trains (shin-kaisoku) take 90 minutes and cost 2310 yen for the one way trip between Kyoto and Himeji. There are departures roughly every 15 minutes. For visiting Himeji in a one day trip from Kyoto using this train, 1-Day JR Kansai Area Pass is a good deal.
By non-JR trains
From central Kyoto (Shijo Street), take a Hankyu limited express to Hankyu Umeda Station (45 minutes, 400 Yen). Transfer to Hanshin Umeda Station (10 minute walk) and take a limited express train bound for Sanyo-Himeji Station (100 minutes, 1300 Yen). Sanyo-Himeji Station is located near JR Himeji Station. This route is slower than using JR, but it is cheaper and fully covered by the Kansai Thru Pass.
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How to travel between Himeji and Osaka
By shinkansen
Osaka and Himeji are connected with each other by the JR Sanyo Shinkansen. Nozomi, Sakura and Hikari trains require about 30 minutes to reach Himeji Station from Shin-Osaka Station. The regular one way fare from Shin-Osaka to Himeji is around 3500 yen. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Sakura, Hikari and Kodama trains, but not on Nozomi trains, while the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass and several other regional rail passes by JR West are valid on all trains.
By local JR trains
Direct JR special rapid trains (shin-kaisoku) take one hour and cost 1520 yen for the one way trip between Osaka (Osaka Station) and Himeji. There are departures roughly every 15 minutes. For visiting Himeji in a one day trip from Osaka using this train, the 1-Day JR Kansai Area Pass is a good deal.
By non-JR trains
Direct limited express trains from Hanshin Umeda Station to Sanyo-Himeji Station take 100 minutes and cost 1300 yen for the one way trip. Sanyo-Himeji Station is located near JR Himeji Station. While this route is slower than using JR, it is cheaper and fully covered by the Kansai Thru Pass.
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How to travel between Himeji and Hiroshima
By shinkansen
Hiroshima and Himeji are connected with each other by the JR Sanyo Shinkansen. Nozomi and Sakura trains require about one hour to reach Himeji from Hiroshima. The one way fare from Hiroshima to Himeji is around 8000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Sakura and Kodama trains, but not on Nozomi trains, while the JR Sanyo Sanin Area Pass and JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass are valid on all trains.
By local trains
By local trains, the one way trip from Hiroshima to Himeji takes about 5 hours and typically involves about two transfers of trains. The regular fare is 4510 yen, however, with a Seishun 18 Kippu you can do the trip for as little as 2410 yen.
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How to travel between Himeji and Kyoto
By shinkansen
Kyoto and Himeji are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. Nozomi trains require about 45 minutes to reach Himeji Station from Kyoto, while direct Hikari trains require roughly 55 minutes. The regular one way fare from Kyoto to Himeji is around 5000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Sakura, Hikari and Kodama trains, but not on Nozomi trains.
By local JR trains
Direct JR special rapid trains (shin-kaisoku) take 90 minutes and cost 2310 yen for the one way trip between Kyoto and Himeji. There are departures roughly every 15 minutes. For visiting Himeji in a one day trip from Kyoto using this train, 1-Day JR Kansai Area Pass is a good deal.
By non-JR trains
From central Kyoto (Shijo Street), take a Hankyu limited express to Hankyu Umeda Station (45 minutes, 400 Yen). Transfer to Hanshin Umeda Station (10 minute walk) and take a limited express train bound for Sanyo-Himeji Station (100 minutes, 1300 Yen). Sanyo-Himeji Station is located near JR Himeji Station. This route is slower than using JR, but it is cheaper and fully covered by the Kansai Thru Pass.