The Shinkansen Nozomi service is the best way to get to Kyoto, Osaka, or Hiroshima.
The Shinkansen has three types of trains.
| Nozomi | Few stops. Fast. Frequent. Extremely convenient. JR Pass holders will be able to use this service for an additional fare after the price hike takes effect in October 2023. 164 services per day (83 out of Tokyo and 81 back in). |
|---|---|
| Hikari | Can be used by JR Pass holders without additional cost. Few stops. Fast. Not so many services. 65 per day (33 out and 32 back). |
| Kodama | This service too can be used by JR Pass holders without additional cost. However, it stops at all stations and takes longer as it needs to let other trains pass by. 84 services per day (40 out and 44 back). |
Approximate travel times from Tokyo to Osaka
| Nozomi | 2 hours 30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Hikari | 3 hours |
| Kodama | 4 hours |
For the abovementioned reasons, most Japanese people choose to ride the Nozomi when travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka. However, JR Pass holders are unable to ride the Nozomi trains.
*There are plans to allow JR Pass holders to travel on Nozomi trains for an additional fee starting in October 2023.
Routes referenced 1/2
| Departing | Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Destinations | Lake Kawaguchi (Mt. Fuji), Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima |
When prioritizing JR Pass use
JR Pass (From ¥50,000) + ¥4,010
*Extra cost if using the Nozomi service
-
Shinjuku
JR Line
JR Pass
70 minutes travel time + transfer time at Otsuki Station
-
Otsuki
Fujikyuko Line¥1,710
60 minutes travel time
-
Lake Kawaguchi
local bus ¥2,300
90 minutes travel time
-
Mishima
Shinkansen
JR Pass
-
Nagoya
Shinkansen
JR Pass
*extra cost for Nozomi service
-
Kyoto
JR Line
JR Pass
-
Shin-Osaka
Shinkansen
JR Pass
*extra cost for Nozomi/Mizuho service
-
Hiroshima
Shinkansen
JR Pass
*extra cost for Nozomi service
-
Tokyo
- *There are few Shinkansen Hikari services and the Kodama service stops at all stations and therefore takes much longer in order to let the faster trains pass through. Accordingly, these services are not so suitable for travelers looking to make the most of their limited time.
- *The only Hikari service running directly between Hiroshima and Tokyo departs at 6:20 in the morning. A transfer at Shin-Osaka is usually required.
- *As of July 2023, the JR Pass cannot be used for travel on Shinkansen Nozomi trains.
- *It is expected that JR Pass holders will be able to ride Nozomi trains for an additional fare after the price hike takes effect in October 2023.
- *Additional fare for Nozomi and Mizuho
Tokyo - Nagoya: ¥4,180
Tokyo - Kyoto: ¥4,960
Tokyo - Shin-Osaka: ¥4,960
Tokyo - Hiroshima: ¥6,500
Tokyo - Hakata: ¥8,140
Most convenient route
¥36,440This is more than ¥17,000 cheaper than a JR Pass
-
Shinjuku
Highway bus¥2,200
1 hour and 45 minutes travel time
-
Lake Kawaguchi
Local bus¥2,300
90 minutes travel time
-
Mishima
Shinkansen Kodama¥11,110
-
Kyoto
JR Line¥580
-
Osaka
Highway bus¥8,000
-
Hiroshima
Bus¥1,450
-
Hiroshima Airport
Japan Explorer Pass airfareFrom ¥11,000
-
Haneda Airport
- *Cheaper than using a JR Pass.
Moreover, having the flexibility to choose other means of transport and operating companies, not just JR, and being able to take advantage of the Nozomi Shinkansen trains, offer more opportunities for travelers to experience a more delightful Japan because not only are they faster, but they connect with many other Shinkansen services, thereby reducing waiting times.
Routes referenced 2/2
| Departing | Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Destinations | Lake Kawaguchi (Mt. Fuji), Kyoto, Osaka, Takayama/Shirakawa-go/Kanazawa |
When prioritizing JR Pass use
JR Pass (From ¥50,000) + 9,210円
*Extra cost if using the Nozomi service
-
Tokyo
Shinkansen
JR Pass
-
Kanazawa
Local bus¥2,600
-
Shirakawa-go
Local bus¥2,600
-
Takayama
JR Line
JR Pass
-
Nagoya
Shinkansen
JR Pass
*extra cost for Nozomi service
-
Kyoto
JR Line
JR Pass
-
Shin-Osaka
Shinkansen
JR Pass
*extra cost for Nozomi service
-
Nagoya
Shinkansen
JR Pass
-
Mishima
Local bus¥2,300
-
Lake Kawaguchi
Fujikyuko Line¥1,710
-
Otsuki
JR Line
JR Pass
-
Shinjuku
Most convenient route
¥35,880This is more than ¥20,000 cheaper than a JR Pass
-
Shinjuku
Highway bus to TakayamaFrom ¥6,500
-
Takayama
Local bus¥2,600
-
Shirakawa-go
Local bus¥2,600
-
Kanazawa
Limited express train¥7,590
-
Osaka
JR Line¥580
-
Kyoto
Shinkansen Hikari¥11,510
-
Mishima
Local bus¥2,300
-
Lake Kawaguchi
highway bus¥2,200
-
Shinjuku
Other routes referenced
Indicated prices for travel from Tokyo to Osaka
| Shinkansen Nozomi | ¥14,920 |
|---|---|
| Highway bus (overnight) | ¥8,000 or more Reserve a bus ticket |
Due to the price hike scheduled to take effect from October 2023, the JR Pass will not necessarily be a cheap and convenient way of travelling around Japan. Also, the length of the Japanese archipelago stretches some 3,000km from north to south. The cities of Tokyo and Kyoto are 500km apart and Tokyo and Hiroshima are separated by a distance of roughly 660km. A tourist travelling to different destinations over the course of a week or so will ultimately spend a lot of time on the train.
Japan is a country of richly diverse nature and culture, and even around Tokyo alone, there are so many spots worth visiting that it would be difficult to see them all. Why not discover your very own fantastic places without using the JR Pass? Your travels in Japan will undoubtedly enrich your life with wonderful memories.
On the other hand, one of the advantages of using buses in Japan is that you can enjoy the country's beautiful natural scenery from the comfort of the bus while leisurely moving between destinations. Another benefit is the opportunity to explore local and off-the-beaten-path places that may not be accessible by train, making it possible to have a more immersive travel experience. Lastly, one of the highlights of long-distance bus travel is surely Japan's unique service area culture. During bus breaks, you can savor local foods, enjoy gourmet offerings exclusive to service areas, and find a wide variety of souvenirs, all of which allow you to fully experience Japan even during your bus journey.
Discover your favorite hidden gems in Japan before anyone else does!