Getting Around · Rail
The Shinkansen, step by step.
Japan's bullet-train network is fast, punctual and — for a first-time visitor — surprisingly stress-free once you know which button to press. Watch the video first, then use the notes below as a checklist for your booking.
Watch first — the whole system in 9 minutes
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09:03Shinkansen Explained in 9 mins: Japan's Bullet Train Master Guide
Reservation, seat classes, luggage rules, and the two shortcuts that let you skip the ticket counter.
59.9K viewsJAPAN
The practical checklist.
Which line, which train?
Most trips between Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima use the Tōkaidō & San'yō Shinkansen. Three service tiers run on the same tracks: Nozomi (fastest, most stops skipped), Hikari, and Kodama (all stations). Pick Nozomi unless you're on a rail pass that restricts you.
Reserved vs non-reserved
Every train has three or four non-reserved cars at one end. In peak season those cars fill up fast; reserving a seat costs a few hundred yen more and saves the anxiety. Book at any JR ticket machine — screens are bilingual, and the whole flow takes under three minutes once you've done it once.
Luggage rules that catch people out
- Bags over 160 cm total (H + W + D) require an oversized-baggage seat — book it with your ticket or you'll be turned away.
- Overhead racks fit medium roller cases. The space behind the last row of each car fits two large cases (first come, first served).
- For anything bigger than a large suitcase, use luggage forwarding (takkyubin) — your hotel receives it the next day for around ¥2,000–3,000.
Booking without the ticket counter
Two shortcuts we lean on:
- JR ticket machines at any major station. Switch to English at the top, pick Reserved Shinkansen. Pay with credit card or IC.
- smartEX (online) lets you book the Tōkaidō & San'yō from a browser — including seat maps. You still tap-in at the gate with an IC card, no paper ticket needed.
Is the JR Pass worth it?
Since the 2023 price rise: for many typical 7-day, 2-city routes, no. The break-even is closer to a Tokyo–Kyoto–Hiroshima round trip in 7 days than the classic "Tokyo + Kyoto only" holiday. Calculate your actual routes first with the fare table below.
Timings and tips
- Trains run roughly every 5–10 minutes on the core route in daytime — no need to rush a specific train.
- Peak departure (Tokyo Station, 8 a.m. weekday) has a boarding queue but the train still leaves on time.
- Green (first) class is a nice upgrade for 3+ hour rides — quieter, wider seats, no crying children by convention.
One-way, reserved seat, non-Green.
| From | To | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Kyoto | 2 h 15 min | ¥14,170 |
| Tokyo | Osaka | 2 h 30 min | ¥14,720 |
| Tokyo | Hiroshima | 3 h 55 min | ¥19,750 |
| Kyoto | Hiroshima | 1 h 40 min | ¥11,410 |
| Osaka | Hakata (Fukuoka) | 2 h 30 min | ¥15,600 |
FARES CHECKED 2026.07
Asked every week.
Can I hop on any train with a JR Pass?
You can ride Hikari and Kodama on the Tōkaidō & San'yō lines but not Nozomi. Add roughly 20 minutes to your Tokyo–Kyoto plan.
Do I need a paper ticket?
No, if you book via smartEX and register an IC card. Otherwise machines print a magnetic ticket — hold onto it, you'll need it at the exit gate.
Is Green Car worth it?
For journeys of 3 hours or more, yes — quieter, roomier, and (informally) an adult atmosphere. Add roughly ¥4,000–5,000 per leg.
PAGE AUDITED 2026.07