The route from Mishima to Himeji is primarily serviced by the Shinkansen train types. Travelers can take the Hikari Shinkansen, which operates between Tokyo and Hakata, with direct access to Himeji via a transfer at either Nagoya or Shin-Osaka. The Hikari can reach speeds of up to 285 km/h (177 mph), completing the journey from Mishima to Himeji in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on the transfer time.
Alternatively, travelers may opt for the Kodama Shinkansen, which makes more local stops along the way and takes around 3 hours to reach Himeji. While the Kodama operates at a slightly lower average speed of around 240 km/h (149 mph), it provides access to smaller stations that the Hikari skips.
Both options come with comfortable seating and onboard amenities, with the Hikari being the faster choice and the Kodama offering a more extensive regional service for those looking to explore.