Shin-Onomichi Station: Shinkansen Access to Onomichi & Shimanami Kaido

What to Know About Shin-Onomichi Station

Shin-Onomichi Station (新尾道駅) is the Shinkansen stop for the Onomichi area — but it is not in Onomichi town. This is the single most important thing to understand before you arrive. The station sits about 3 kilometers north of Onomichi's charming hillside port town, in a suburban area with little to see or do. If you are expecting to step off the bullet train into the atmospheric temple-and-cat-filled streets of Onomichi, you will be disappointed.

The good news: connecting to Onomichi town is straightforward. A bus runs regularly and takes 15 minutes. A taxi takes 10. But you need to plan for this connection, especially if you are heading to the Shimanami Kaido cycling route or catching a ferry. For broader Hiroshima area transit, see our Hiroshima station guide.

Getting from Shin-Onomichi to Onomichi Town

Bus: 15 Minutes, ¥190

According to the Onomichi City official site, buses run from Shin-Onomichi Station to JR Onomichi Station approximately every 15-30 minutes. The ride takes about 15 minutes and costs ¥190 (~$1.30). The bus stop is directly outside the station exit.

This is the most practical option for solo travelers and those without excessive luggage. IC cards are accepted. Check the schedule before you arrive, as frequency decreases in the evening and may be reduced during winter.

Taxi: 10 Minutes, ¥1,400-1,800

A taxi from Shin-Onomichi Station to JR Onomichi Station takes approximately 10 minutes and costs ¥1,400-1,800 (~$9-12), according to the city's official access page. This is the better choice if you are traveling with heavy luggage, cycling gear, or a group of 2-3 people where splitting the fare makes it comparable to the bus.

Taxis queue outside the station. You should not need to call ahead unless arriving very late at night.

Do not attempt to walk. The 3-kilometer distance between Shin-Onomichi and JR Onomichi Station runs along roads without sidewalks in some sections. With luggage, it is impractical and uncomfortable.

Once you reach JR Onomichi Station, see our Onomichi Station guide for navigating the town side.

Which Shinkansen Trains Stop Here

Kodama Only: Planning Your Transfer

Shin-Onomichi Station is served exclusively by Kodama (こだま) trains — the slowest Sanyo Shinkansen service that stops at every station. Nozomi and Sakura trains skip Shin-Onomichi entirely. This means you cannot take a direct fast train from Tokyo or Osaka to Shin-Onomichi.

From Hiroshima, a Kodama train reaches Shin-Onomichi in approximately 40 minutes for about ¥3,500 (~$23). The JR Pass covers Kodama services fully.

Transfer Points: Okayama or Fukuyama

If you are coming from Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, take a Nozomi or Hikari/Sakura to either Okayama or Fukuyama, then transfer to a Kodama for the short hop to Shin-Onomichi.

From	Route	Approximate Time
Tokyo	Nozomi to Okayama → Kodama to Shin-Onomichi	~4 hours total
Osaka	Sakura/Hikari to Fukuyama → Kodama to Shin-Onomichi	~1.5 hours total
Hiroshima	Direct Kodama	~40 minutes

Note: JR Pass holders cannot use Nozomi trains. Use Hikari or Sakura for the main leg, then transfer to Kodama. The transfer at Fukuyama is usually the most efficient from the west; Okayama works better from the east.

Allow at least 15-20 minutes of buffer at the transfer station to account for platform changes and schedule gaps.

Connecting to the Shimanami Kaido

Onoichi is the starting point for the Shimanami Kaido (しまなみ海道), a 60-kilometer cycling route that crosses six islands between Honshu and Shikoku. The cycling terminals are located near JR Onomichi Station — about 150 meters from the station, according to japan-guide.com.

If you are arriving by Shinkansen at Shin-Onomichi, add the 15-minute bus ride (or 10-minute taxi) to your timeline. Do not cut it too close — if you plan to start cycling at 9:00, arrive at Shin-Onomichi by 8:00 at the latest to account for the bus connection and rental pickup.

Bicycles can be brought on the bus from Shin-Onomichi, but they must be in a carrying bag (輪行袋, rinko-bukuro). If you are renting a bike at the Onomichi terminal, this is not an issue — just take the bus as a regular passenger.

Station Facilities and Luggage Storage

Shin-Onomichi is a small station with limited facilities:

• Coin lockers: Available inside the station for luggage storage. Useful if you want to explore Onomichi town before heading to your accommodation.
• Midori no Madoguchi (みどりの窓口): The JR ticket office is open 5:30-23:00 for Shinkansen reservations, ticket changes, and JR Pass validation.
• Convenience store: There is a small shop at or near the station for snacks and drinks.
• Restrooms: Available inside the station.

There is no tourist information center at Shin-Onomichi Station. The main Onomichi tourist information office is at JR Onomichi Station.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Shinkansen trains stop at Shin-Onomichi?

Only Kodama trains. Nozomi and Sakura services skip this station entirely. If you are traveling from Tokyo or Osaka, transfer to a Kodama at Okayama or Fukuyama. JR Pass holders should use Hikari or Sakura for the main leg, as the Nozomi is not covered.

How do I get from Shin-Onomichi Station to Onomichi town?

Take the bus (15 minutes, ¥190, every 15-30 minutes) or a taxi (10 minutes, ¥1,400-1,800). Both depart from directly outside the station. Walking the 3 kilometers is not recommended, especially with luggage, as the route lacks sidewalks in parts.

Can I store luggage at Shin-Onomichi Station?

Yes. Coin lockers are available inside the station. For longer-term storage or oversized luggage, check with the Midori no Madoguchi ticket office (open 5:30-23:00).

Can I bring my bicycle on the bus from Shin-Onomichi to Onomichi?

Yes, but it must be disassembled and placed in a rinko bag (bicycle carrying bag). If you are renting a bike at the Onomichi cycling terminal instead, just take the bus as a regular passenger — the rental shop is about 150 meters from JR Onomichi Station.