With this current trip, we used the Kansai-Hiroshima Pass for the first 5 days, the ICOCA-HARUKA economical pass for the return trip to the airport. The Kansai-Hiroshima pass is for Y14,500 (13,500 if you book ahead on their site -you'll need to print out a confirmation email to claim). Good for 5 days, we were able to take the bullet train between Osaka to Hiroshima and JR Trains in Kansai (including Kyoto & Nara) up to Hiroshima. This included the JR ferry ride to Miyajima. The first day of trains would have cost about Y12,060 with the multiple bullet trains and other train rides we were able to save approximately Y25,000.On return to Hiroshima, we explored the Hiroshima Peace Park. The sights in the park are not far from each other and you can spend just a few hours. Add another hour or two if you plan to visit the Museum. Make sure to stop by the memorial. Since we planned to visit the Himeji castle we didn't go to the Hiroshima Castle.
Capped off another amazing autumn adventure. This time ventured off to the historical Hiroshima and its neighboring islands. After landing in Kansai Airport, we took a 2 1/2 hour train (HARUKA) to Shin Osaka and a bullet train to Hiroshima.
The Hiroshima-Kansai Pass can be used in the automatic gates and is for non-reserved seats on the HARUKA and Shinkansen.
I usually choose which economical pass to use depending on my intended itinerary and find the best suits it. After deciding on the pass, I would tweak the schedule further by moving some sights or adding some stops to maximize the pass. JR East, West & Central offer various economical passes which may suit how far and how long you plan to explore. You can also choose one day passes from other train companies to save on your train costs. For instance, there is a bus and subway day pass available in cities like Kyoto or you can use tourist passes (one day or two days) like the Kyoto Tourist or Osaka Amazing Pass.
A few friends have asked so I'm sharing my itinerary:
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN JAPAN: at Kansai International Airport
Note: if your flight is arriving later in the day you might not be able to reach Hiroshima before the last bullet train. Trains and streetcars do not run after midnight. Our flight had arrived at around 2:30 PM and was out of the airport at 4. We arrived at our accommodations at around 7.
Take street car to hotel accommodations.
Street Car tip: streetcars #2 & #6 have high steps and may take some effort to lift up your luggage to the streetcar. the newer streetcar line #2 / #6 (green movers) have lower steps but are not as frequent.
DAY 2: OKUNOSHIMA ISLAND & EXPLORE HIROSHIMA
Okunoshima Island (takes about 2 hours depending on the train & ferry schedule. You can also take a bus from Hiroshima Station to Tadanomi Port. You can spend half or a full day on the island. Explore Hiroshima in the late afternoon or evening
To get to Okunoshima: take the streetcar to Hiroshima Station; then take bullet train to Mihara; transfer to Kure line to Tadanomi Station; Walk 5-10 minutes to Tadanomi port; take Tadanomi-Okunoshima Ferry to Okunoshima Island.
Return trip: Take ferry back to Tadanomi Port; walk to Tadanomi train station, take train from platform 1 to Mihara Station; transfer to Bullet train back to Hiroshima.
Tip: Enjoy the scenic views from the train on the ride from Mihara to Tadanomi.
DAY 3: MIYAJIMA ISLAND & EXPLORE HIROSHIMA
Depending on where you'll be staying in Hiroshima, it can take 45 minutes to an hour and a half. You can take a streetcar to Miyajimajuchi Station which is walking distance to ferry port or the JR Train. We took the train as it was included in the Kansai-Hiroshima pass and was relatively faster than taking the streetcar from our lodging. You have two options for the ferry -JR Miyajima Ferry or the Matsudai Ferry. We took the JR Ferry as it too was included in the Kansai -Hiroshima Pass. Starting at 9AM they also have the Great Torii Gate Ferry which takes a closer route to the Torii Gate. I would suggest making the most of the day to explore the island.
DAY 4: INSTANT RAMEN MUSEUM & TRANSFER TO KYOTO
The Hiroshima Kansai Pass doesn't include the Shinkansen from Osaka to Kyoto. Since we had to change trains in Shin-Osaka Station and check in was still at 4 PM, we decided to drop by the Mamofuku Instant Ramen Museum before heading to Kyoto. After leaving our bags in the train lockers, we walked to Hankyu Umeda Station and took a short train to the museum. After exploring the museum and making our own cup noodles we headed to Kyoto and checked in our hostel. The museum is free.
To get to Mamofuku Instant Ramen Museum: From JR Shin-Osaka or Osaka Station, walk to Hankyu Umeda and take Hankyu Takarazuka line to Ikeda (about 18 mins). Then it's just a 5-minute walk from the Masumi-Cho Homen Exit to the Museum. There are signages along the way just follow the chick. From the exit turn and walk a few meters. You'll pass the Ikeda tourist office. Turn right at the corner with Yamazaki Daily then just walk straight to the museum.
From Hiroshima to Kyoto: if using the Hiroshima Kansai Pass, you'll need to transfer to the ordinary trains for the Osaka to Kyoto leg of the trip. You can take the Rapid or Express of the JR Kyoto line to Kyoto. If you'll be using the JR Pass, you can take the bullet train from Hiroshima to Kyoto just not on the Nozomi trains.
DAY 5: HIMEJI, KOBE & OSAKA
To Himeji: Head to JR Kyoto Station, take JR train to Shin Osaka Station, transfer to bullet train to Himeji. You can also take the other JR Lines if you won't be availing pass.
From Himeji to Kobe: Take JR Shinkansen to Kobe.
DAY 6: EXPLORE KYOTO
Nanzen-Ji & Arashiyama
Since it was the peak of the Autumn colors in Kyoto and a Saturday, there were multitudes of people around the temples and popular sites. We were able to just visit 2 sights as getting around took a little longer than planned. Arashiyama, for instance, was packed and the streets were packed with people. They had to have a directed flow of people on the Togetsukyo bridge with a large number of visitors. If visiting on a weekend I would suggest visiting early in the day to avoid the crowds or to try and visit on a weekday instead.
More on Arashiyama and Tenryuji Temple at http://coffeecakesandsuitcases.blogspot.com/2016/11/arashiyama-bamboo-forest-togetsukyo.html
On the south end of the Philosopher's walk, Nanzen-Ji is a short walk from Keage Station on the Tozai LIne of the subway.
Walking directions: once you exit the station, turn right, turn towards a short tunnel before reaching the corner. walk and follow the path. You'll pass smaller shrines on the way. Once you exit the path you'll be on the road and the main entrance to the Nanzen-ji temple should be towards your right.
DAY 7: EXPLORE KYOTO
Gion & Fushimi Inari
Spent the last full day exploring Kyoto. We started by visiting a small shrine Yasaka Koshindo. Also known as the 3 monkey shrine, this shrine is dedicated Koshin-San. Just a few steps from it is the Yasaka Pagoda. we explored the Higashiyama area as we made our way to the Yasaka Shrine in Gion. From there, we walked to Gion-Shijo Station to take the Fushimi Inari.
Fushimi Inari is one of the stops you need see when visiting Kyoto. It's no surprise it's one of the top sights in Japan. See the rows of vermillion gates as you climb up the mountains. You'll need at least a day if you plan on visiting the entire route. But an hour or two would be enough if you just want to see the rows of Torii gates. Once you reach the shrine with the deer emas, just head back the other side of the Torii gates. The shrine is just steps away from JR Inari Station. To know more you can visit my entry on FUSHIMI INAR
To get to Yasaka Koshindo, walk from Gion Shijo or take a taxi. To Fushimi Inari: from Gion Shijo Station, take the Keihan line to Tofukuji Station then transfer to JR Nara Line to Inari.
I would suggest visiting Tofukuji too. It's one of the best places to see autumn foliage. Best time to go is when it opens or near closing hours to avoid the crowd.
Visit my other places to visit in Kansai in Autumn:
Autumn Day Trip from Tokyo: AUTUMN DAY TRIPS FROM TOKYO
The exact train directions would depend on where you'll be staying.
Buy/Exchange Train Voucher at JR West Office
Head to HIROSHIMA via HARUKA to SHIN-OSAKA Station & Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station (2 1/2 hrs)