Jr West-Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass

Must Do Experiences

• Take the JR West Miyajima Ferry to witness the iconic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine at high tide.

• Ride the Sanyo Shinkansen to Hiroshima and explore the poignant Peace Memorial Park and Museum.

• Stroll through the stunning Korakuen Garden in Okayama, ranked as one of Japan's top three landscape gardens.

• Journey to Yamaguchi to admire the breathtaking five-story pagoda of Rurikoji Temple and the historic Kintaikyo Bridge in Iwakuni.

Hidden Gems

• Hop off at Onomichi to walk the Temple Pilgrimage route, a quiet hillside trail connecting ancient temples with stunning views of the Seto Inland Sea.

• Use your pass to reach the lesser-known Sandankyo Gorge in Hiroshima, offering spectacular emerald waters and dramatic cliff faces away from the city crowds.

• Explore the retro port town of Tomonoura in Fukuyama, a beautifully preserved Edo-period village that inspired Studio Ghibli's Ponyo.

What Makes it Special

• Grants exclusive access to the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hakata, drastically cutting down travel time across the Chugoku and Kyushu regions.

• Includes the JR West Miyajima Ferry, seamlessly connecting you to one of Japan's most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage sites without buying separate tickets.

• Offers exceptional flexibility with five consecutive days of unlimited rides on local, rapid, and limited express trains, allowing for spontaneous day trips.

Perfect Timing

When to visit for the best experience

Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather and stunning scenery, with cherry blossoms in April and vibrant foliage in November making train window views absolutely spectacular. Early morning departures are best for securing unreserved Shinkansen seats and enjoying popular destinations like Miyajima before the midday tour groups arrive.

Photography Guide

Capture the perfect shots

• Capture the Sanyo Shinkansen zipping past the Seto Inland Sea from coastal vantage points in Onomichi or Miyajima during the golden hour.

• Photography is generally permitted in stations and on trains, but avoid using flash inside train carriages and be respectful of other passengers' privacy.

• Head to the Senkoji Park observatory in Onomichi for panoramic shots of the island-dotted sea and the trains winding along the coastline below.

Cultural Etiquette

Respect local customs and traditions

When riding trains in Japan, it is customary to keep your voice down, switch your phone to silent mode, and avoid taking phone calls inside the carriages. Queue neatly on the marked platform lines before boarding, and always bow slightly or nod in appreciation to the station staff when they check your pass.

Special Events & Experiences

Enhanced experiences and seasonal highlights

• The Hiroshima Flower Festival in early May transforms Peace Boulevard into a vibrant sea of blooms, easily accessible via local trams and trains.

• Miyajima's Kangensai Festival in summer features spectacular nighttime processions of ornately decorated boats on the water, reachable with your included ferry pass.

• Autumn illuminations at Korakuen Garden in Okayama and Rurikoji Temple in Yamaguchi offer magical evening viewing from November to early December.

Important Guidelines & Safety

Essential safety information and guidelines

• Mind the gap between the train and the platform when boarding, especially on older local trains where the step might be slightly higher.

• Keep your valuables secure and your rail pass in a safe, easily accessible place, as replacing a lost physical pass is generally not possible.

• Stay behind the yellow tactile paving lines on station platforms while waiting for high-speed Shinkansen trains to pass or arrive.