Okayama: Getting there and around

How to travel between Okayama and Tokyo

By shinkansen

Tokyo and Okayama are two major stations along the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. The one way trip costs around 17,000 yen and takes approximately 3.5 hours by Nozomi train or 4 hours by Hikari train. The trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass if done by Hikari, but it is not covered if done by Nozomi.

By air

JAL and ANA operate multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Okayama Airport. Flight duration is 75 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 36,000 yen, but discount tickets are usually available for between 10,000 and 18,000 yen. With an air pass you can fly for even less. Buses connect Okayama Airport to Okayama Station (30 minutes, 780 yen, frequent departures).

By overnight bus

Several bus companies, including Ryobi, Odakyu and JR Bus operate night buses between Tokyo (Tokyo and Shinjuku Station) and Okayama (Okayama Station). The trip takes 10 hours and costs around 10,000 yen one way. Discount bus operators, such as Willer Express, offer one way fares from around 6500 yen. If used effectively, the Japan Bus Pass can reduce the cost for the bus trip to around 3000 yen. Online reservations can be made through Willer and Japan Bus Online.

How to travel between Okayama and Osaka

By shinkansen

Osaka and Okayama are two major stations along the JR Sanyo Shinkansen. The one way trip between Shin-Osaka Station and Okayama Station takes approximately 45 minutes and costs around 6000 yen. International tourists can buy tickets for only 5000 yen through Klook.

The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Sakura and Hikari trains but not on Nozomi and Mizuho trains, while the JR Kansai Wide Pass, JR Kansai Hiroshima Pass and JR Sanyo Sanin Pass are valid on all trains.

By local trains

The one way trip between Osaka and Okayama by local trains along the JR Tokaido and Sanyo Main Lines costs 3080 yen, takes about 2.5 hours and requires at least one transfer of trains along the way.

By bus

JR Bus and Ryobi Bus operate highway buses between Osaka (Osaka Station, OCAT) and Okayama (JR Okayama Station). The one way trip takes three hours and costs 3250 yen. Round trip tickets are available for 6000 yen and must be used within ten days. Several early purchase discounts are available on these buses which can further reduce the fare.

How to travel between Okayama and Kyoto

By shinkansen

Kyoto and Okayama are two major stations along the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. The one way trip costs around 7500 yen and takes approximately one hour by Nozomi train (multiple direct trains per hour) or 90 minutes by Hikari train (one direct train per hour).

The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Hikari, Kodama and Sakura trains but not on Nozomi and Mizuho trains, while the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass can be used on unreserved seats on any train between Shin-Osaka and Okayama (but not between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka) and is a good value for a side trip from Kyoto to Okayama.

By local trains

The one way trip between Kyoto and Okayama by local trains along the JR Tokaido and Sanyo Main Lines costs 3740 yen, takes about three hours and requires at least one transfer of trains along the way.

By bus

Ryobi Bus operates highway buses between Kyoto (JR Kyoto Station) and Okayama (JR Okayama Station). The one way trip takes about 3.5 hours and costs 3650-4050 yen depending on the date of travel. Online reservations can be made through Japan Bus Online.

How to travel between Okayama and Naoshima

Take a JR Uno Line from Okayama Station to Uno Station (45-60 minutes, 590 yen one way, covered by the Japan Rail Pass). One transfer may be required at Chayamachi Station. Across the street from Uno Station is the ferry terminal from where ferries depart frequently for Miyanoura Port on Naoshima (20 minutes, 300 yen one way) and less frequently to Honmura Port on the opposite side of the island (20 minutes, 300 yen one way).

How to travel between Okayama and Kurashiki

Okayama Station and Kurashiki Station are connected by frequently departing local and rapid trains along the JR Sanyo Line. The one way trip takes around 15 minutes, costs 330 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.