If you’re exploring western Japan, chances are you’ll find yourself on the Sanyo Shinkansen. This is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between major cities like Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka.
Opened in 1975 as the country’s second bullet train line and an extension of the Tokaido Shinkansen, it revolutionized long-distance travel with speeds of up to 300 km/h (185 mph).
On this page, you can find out about the stations the Sanyo Shinkansen services, which trains cover the route, and how to travel on the line with your Japan Rail Pass and regional JR Passes.
Table of Contents
Sanyo Shinkansen Route Map
Below is a map of the route the Sanyo Shinkansen takes across the country. It links Osaka with Kyushu, Japan’s third-largest island.
Sanyo Shinkansen Stops
The Sanyo Shinkansen Line runs between Shin-Osaka Station and Hakata Station in Fukuoka.
| Station | Transfers |
| Shin Osaka Station | Tokaido Shinkansen, JR Kyoto Line, Osaka Higashi Line, Midosuji Line. |
| Shin-Kobe Station | Hokushin Line, Seishin-Yamate Line. |
| Nishi-Akashi Station | JR Kobe Line. |
| Himeji Station | JR Kobe Line, Sanyo Main Line, Bantan Line, Kishin Line, Sanyo Electric Railway Main Line. |
| Aioi Station | Sanyo Main Line, Ako Line. |
| Okayama Station | Sanyo Main Line, Uno Line, Hakubi Line, Tsuyama Line, Kibi Line, Okayama Electric Tramway. |
| Shin-Kurashiki Station | Sanyo Main Line. |
| Fukuyama Station | Sanyo Main Line, Fukuen Line. |
| Shin-Onomichi Station | |
| Mihara Station | Sanyo Main Line, Kure Line. |
| Higashi-Hiroshima Station | |
| Hiroshima Station | Sanyo Main Line, Geibi Line, Kabe Line, Kure Line, Hiroshima Electric Railway Main Line. |
| Shin-Iwakuni Station | Nishikigawa Seiryu Line |
| Tokuyama Station | Sanyo Main Line, Gantoku Line. |
| Shin-Yamaguchi Station | Sanyo Main Line, Yamaguchi Line, Ube Line. |
| Asa Station | Sanyo Main Line, Mine Line. |
| Shin-Shimonoseki Station | Sanyo Main Line. |
| Kokura Station | Kagoshima Main Line, Nippo Main Line, Hita-Hikosan Line, Kitakyushu Monorail. |
| Hakata Station | Kyushu Shinkansen, Hakata-Minami Line, Sasaguri Line, Fukuoka Subway Airport Line. |
Unlimited access to transportation across Japan for 7, 14, or 21 days on:
- All Shinkansen trains
- Rapid and Local JR trains
- JR bus and ferry services
- Airport Transfers
A single ticket, huge savings.
Train Services
Five different types of train categories operate on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line:
Sakura Shinkansen
Sakura trains likewise connect to the Kyushu Shinkansen Line, stopping at additional stations along the way.
Hikari Shinkansen
Hikari trains runs a couple early morning westbound services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. They typically call at key intermediate stops like Shin-Kobe, Okayama, and Hiroshima.
However, there are hourly Hikari trains covering the Sanyo line between Shin-Osaka and Okayama.
There is only one Hikari train departure per day that covers the eastbound journey connecting Hakata to Shin-Osaka, leaving at 20:52.
The Hikari trains also provide a connection to Tokyo. This route is often called the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Line.
Kodama Shinkansen
Kodama trains stop at all stations along the route, and are therefore slower than other options. A trip along the Sanyo Shinkansen Line via Kodama takes around five hours.
Nozomi Shinkansen
Nozomi trains are fast, stopping only at the largest hubs along the Sanyo route such as Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kokura, and Hakata. In fact, the Nozomi trains typically complete the course of the Sanyo Shinkansen Line in about 2.5 hours.
Nozomi trains depart 3 or more times per hour. They also provide through service to the Tokaido Shinkansen Line.
Mizuho Shinkansen
Mizuho trains make about 6 round trips per day, typically in the morning and evening. These trains stop only at select stations along the route, including Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kokura and Hakata.
The Mizuho trains provide through service to the Kyushu Shinkansen Line.
Sanyo Shinkansen Timetable
The first Sanyo Shinkansen train leaves Shin-Osaka early in the morning at around 6:00 a.m., making it possible to reach cities like Hiroshima or Fukuoka before lunchtime. The last departure is shortly after 10:00 p.m.
A similar schedule runs in the opposite direction from Hakata back toward Shin-Osaka, with the first departures just after 6:00 a.m. and the final trains leaving late in the evening.
For exact train times and updated daily schedules, you can check the official Navitime website.
Sanyo Shinkansen Ticket Prices
A Sanyo Shinkansen fare for the full length of the line from Shin-Osaka to Hakata ranges from ¥14,750 to ¥22,290. Your fare depends on the type of seat (unreserved, reserved, or Green Car), as well as the train and travel time.
Unreserved seats are the most economical option, while Green Car tickets provide extra comfort and space at the higher end of the price range.
For the most up-to-date fares and detailed price breakdowns, you can check the official JR West website.
Using the Japan Rail Pass and Regional JR Passes
The Sanyo Shinkansen line is fully covered by the JR Pass on Sakura, Hikari and Kodama services. Fares for Nozomi and Mizuho shinkansens are not fully covered. JR Pass holders can ride these shinkansen services paying a supplemental fee.
You can activate your JR Pass for use by visiting one of the ticketing offices located at most major train stations.
In addition to the national JR Pass, there are several regional JR pass that cover the Sanyo Shinkansen. Each pass offers different levels of coverage. Here is a quick table illustrating each pass and the route you can take:
| Pass | Coverage on Sanyo Shinkansen |
| Hiroshima–Yamaguchi Area Pass | Partial coverage between Mihara and Hakata. |
| Kansai Wide Area Pass | Covers Shin-Osaka to Okayama. |
| Kansai–Hokuriku Area Pass | Covers Shin-Osaka to Okayama. |
| Kansai–Hiroshima Pass | Partial coverage between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima. |
| Sanyo–San’in Area Pass | Full coverage between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. |
| Sanyo–San’in Northern Kyushu Pass | Full coverage between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. |
Generally, you can travel on all Shinkansen train types using the regional pass. Each pass also includes additional access to local and express trains in the relevant coverage area.
Top Tip: All trains operating on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line offer both reserved and non-reserved seating. If you would like to make seat reservations, you may do so at a ticketing counter.
Unlimited access to transportation across Japan for 7, 14, or 21 days on:
- All Shinkansen trains
- Rapid and Local JR trains
- JR bus and ferry services
- Airport Transfers
A single ticket, huge savings.
Cover Photo by Suichi Aizawa @Flickr