Compare bullet train & limited express routes. Pick an origin and destination (or add multiple legs) to see approximate travel time, train names, unreserved vs. reserved vs. Green Car fares in yen, and whether the nationwide JR Pass covers the train or requires a Nozomi/Mizuho supplement. Fares are approximate adult regular-season one-way totals for orientation.
How Shinkansen fares & train types work
- Two parts to every ticket: a base fare (乗車券, jōshaken) based on distance plus a Shinkansen super-express supplement (特急券, tokkyūken). The figures above combine both.
- Nozomi & Mizuho trains: the fastest services on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen. Nationwide JR Pass holders can ride them only by purchasing a separate Nozomi/Mizuho supplement ticket, or ride Hikari, Sakura, and Kodama trains at no extra cost.
- All-reserved trains: Hayabusa, Komachi, Kagayaki, and Tsubasa have no unreserved cars—always book a seat reservation before boarding. See our Shinkansen seat reservation guide.
- Oversized baggage: suitcases with total dimensions (H+W+D) between 161 cm and 250 cm require an "席特" oversized-baggage seat reservation on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen (free with reservation, ¥1,000 fee if brought onboard unbooked). Check your bag in our Luggage Size Checker.
Major Shinkansen Lines, Train Names & Typical 2026 Fares From Tokyo
| Route | Shinkansen Line & Fastest Train | Travel Time | Approx. Reserved Fare (¥) | JR Pass Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo ↔ Kyoto | Tokaido Shinkansen (Nozomi / Hikari) | 2 hr 15 min (Nozomi) / 2 hr 40 min (Hikari) | ~¥14,170 | Hikari fully covered; Nozomi requires ¥4,960 supplement ticket |
| Tokyo ↔ Shin-Osaka | Tokaido Shinkansen (Nozomi / Hikari) | 2 hr 30 min (Nozomi) / 2 hr 55 min (Hikari) | ~¥14,720 | Hikari fully covered; Nozomi requires ¥4,960 supplement ticket |
| Tokyo ↔ Hiroshima | Tokaido / Sanyo Shinkansen (Nozomi / Hikari+Sakura) | 3 hr 55 min (Nozomi) | ~¥19,760 | Hikari + Sakura transfer at Shin-Osaka covered; Nozomi requires supplement |
| Tokyo ↔ Kanazawa | Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki / Hakutaka) | 2 hr 28 min (Kagayaki) | ~¥14,380 | 100% covered (note: Kagayaki is all-reserved; book seat before boarding) |
| Tokyo ↔ Sendai | Tohoku Shinkansen (Hayabusa) | 1 hr 31 min | ~¥11,410 | 100% covered (Hayabusa is all-reserved) |
| Shin-Osaka ↔ Fukuoka (Hakata) | Sanyo Shinkansen (Mizuho / Nozomi / Sakura) | 2 hr 28 min (Mizuho) / 2 hr 36 min (Sakura) | ~¥15,600 | Sakura 100% covered with comfy 2×2 reserved seating |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen?
All three run on the exact same Tokyo–Nagoya–Kyoto–Shin-Osaka tracks and charge the same unreserved base+express fare: Nozomi is the fastest (Tokyo to Kyoto in 2h 15m, stopping only at major hubs), Hikari makes a few extra stops (Tokyo to Kyoto in ~2h 40m and is included free with the JR Pass), and Kodama stops at every station along the line.
Do I need to book Shinkansen seats in advance, or can I buy tickets at the station on the day?
Outside of peak holiday weeks (Golden Week, Obon in mid-August, and New Year, when Nozomi trains require reservations), Shinkansen trains depart every 5–15 minutes and you can buy unreserved or reserved tickets at the station 15–20 minutes before boarding. Book ahead if you are traveling in a group of 3+, want Mount Fuji window seats (Seat E), or need an oversized-baggage seat.
Which window seat has the best view of Mount Fuji on the Tokyo–Kyoto/Osaka Shinkansen?
Reserve Seat E in a standard 2+3 Ordinary Car (or Seat D in a 2+2 Green Car), which sits on the north/right side heading west from Tokyo and the north/left side heading east from Kyoto/Osaka. The clearest view of Mount Fuji appears around Shin-Fuji Station, roughly 40–45 minutes after departing Tokyo Station.
How does a Shinkansen fare work—why do I sometimes get two paper tickets at the gate?
Every Shinkansen ride consists of two fare components: a Base Fare (Josha-ken, covering distance from origin to destination) and a Super Express Supplement (Tokkyu-ken, covering the bullet train speed and seat class). When issued as two paper tickets, stack both tickets together and insert them simultaneously into the Shinkansen fare gate.