nickn

I am looking to see if I can return from Hiroshima back to Kyoto using the JR pass in the evening. (As you know, there are less non Nozomi trains left west of Osaka compared to a year ago.)

Looking at the www.hyperdia.com schedule, as long as I am willing to wait up to an hour for next the train, there are ways to do this by stringing Hiraki and Kodama together. There are only two Hikari trains between 4pm - 9:30pm that travel between Hiroshima and Kyoto with no train change.

The schedule shows either changing the train at Himeji with 5 minutes Hitari-Hikari transfer or at Shin-Osaka with 3 minutes Hiraki-Kodama transfer. Looking at the JTB time table, Shin-Osaka change is from track #20 to track #26. so I do not see how this can be done in time. So if Shin-Osaka Hiraki-Kodama route is chosen, I need to find a change that gives me more time than 3 min.

I am guessing that Himeji station has no more than two east bound Shinkansen tracks, on the same platform, so 5 minutes change should be a piece of cake. Am I mistaken?

KimJapan

I don't think you'll have trouble getting back. There are lots of trains...and even a 3 minute change is possible. Many people do such changes...you have to rush like mad, but they see you coming, along with the masses of other people who are making the same connection. And, if you miss the train you are trying to catch, just get on the next one, any one. Shin-Osaka is just over 20 minutes from Kyoto by the slowest train...if you get a shinkansen from Hiroshima to Shin-Osaka you are just minutes from Kyoto anyway. From Himeji, express trains take 90 minutes to Kyoto, an additional 30 minutes over the shinkansen. Not bad, and don't have to transfer. It's certainly a timesaver to take the shinkansen at least to Himeji, and better to Shin Osaka, but from either place I wouldn't sweat the connection...any limited express train will do you fine. Just avoid the really locals which stop at every station.

tadaoji

One Hikari runs every hour between Hiroshima and ShinOsaka. It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are Kodama runs in between between but they are always taken over by a Hikari that leaves Hiroshima later, so there is no use of taking Kodama to ShinOsaka.

Once you get to ShinOsaka, you can transfer to east bound Kodama or Hikari if there is a good connection. If not, as KimJapan says, you can always take a slower regular train to Kyoto from ShinOsaka. Shinkansen takes 15 minutes to Kyoto, and regular one takes 25 to 35 minutes depending on the service but it is frequent, every 5 to 10 minutes.

Note that there are many seasonally scheduled trains and Shinkansens, always check the latest schedule. You may be surprized to find a good connection.

nickn

Thanks for the reply on a related subject. but I am still waiting for the answer to the question I originally posed. Is there only one platform for all east bound Shinkansen trains at Himeji station?

I am expected to arrive at Shin-Osaka during the rush hour with some luggages. I am presuming it is easier to make the change at Himeji than at Shin-Osaka.

KimJapan

Sorry...I didn't realize you only wanted to know about the number of platforms. You might find the station maps helpful.

http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/english/station/himeji/

http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/engl...on/shin-osaka/

tadaoji

nickn

Now I understand your idea. Most likely the Himeji originated ones leave from the platform 13 while through trains use platform 11; it means you have to struggle with stairs, but it still is a better choice than changing trains at Shin Osaka.

Another idea is to change train at Shin Kobe. This is a small station but all Hikari stops, and it only use one platform for all Osaka bound train. Make sure to reserve your seat in advance so that you do not have to keep standing from Shin Kobe to Kyoto.