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During our 3 weeks in Japan we had the chance to ride the shinkansen train from Kyoto to Tokyo and we really enjoyed the experience! 

The Shinkansen, or “bullet train” is a symbol of the country’s modernity. This high-speed rail network connects major cities across Japan and offers a comfortable and efficient mode of transportation for both locals and tourists. In this article, I will explain everything you need to know about the Shinkansen, from the type of trains and tickets available to the popular routes and some travel tips.

If you prefer video content, I also filmed the whole experience and you can see how it all went here.

What You Need to Know:

The Shinkansen is operated by Japan Railways (JR) and is known for its punctuality, speed, and comfort. The trains run on dedicated tracks, separate from regular train lines, and can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h ! The Shinkansen has a remarkable safety record, with no fatalities or injuries resulting from train accidents since its inception in 1964.

Types of Trains:

There are actually 3 types of Shinkansen trains, each offering varying levels of speed and luxury.

The fastest and most luxurious train is the Nozomi, which runs between Tokyo and Hakata and stops at only a few major cities along the way. The Hikari is the second-fastest train and stops at more stations than the Nozomi. The slowest and most affordable train is the Kodama, which stops at all stations along the line. The Green Car, or first-class carriage, is available on all trains and offers spacious seating and additional amenities such as complimentary drinks and snacks.

Types of Tickets:

There are several types of tickets available for the Shinkansen. For tourists, the Japan Rail Pass is a popular option. This pass allows unlimited travel on JR trains, including the Shinkansen, for a set number of days. The pass must be purchased before arriving in Japan and can only be used by foreign tourists. Keep in mind that the JR Pass doesn’t cover Nozomi shinkansen, just Hikari and Kodama.

If you do not wish to purchase a Japan Rail Pass, individual tickets can be purchased at JR ticket offices or automated machines at train stations. Note that the individual tickets can be expensive, we paid around 90€ for a one way ticket from Kyoto to Tokyo for the Nozomi train.

Also, know that there are non-reserved seats tickets and tickets with reserved seats. Of course, the ones with the reserved seats cost more. We didn’t find it necessary since it was not a special day/holiday or at a busy hour and we had no issue in finding seats for the ride. The first compartments are reserved for the people with tickets without seats, so make sure you get on the right carriage.

Tip: if you want to spot the Fuji Mountain, sit on the left side on the way from Kyoto to Tokyo and on the right side on the way from Tokyo to Kyoto!


Shinkansen Routes:

The Shinkansen covers a vast network of routes across Japan, connecting major cities and destinations. The most popular route is the Tokaido Shinkansen, which runs between Tokyo and Osaka and stops at major cities such as Yokohama, Nagoya, and Kyoto. The Sanyo Shinkansen connects Osaka to Fukuoka, passing through Hiroshima along the way. The Tohoku Shinkansen runs north from Tokyo to Sendai and Aomori, while the Hokkaido Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Hakodate in the north of Japan’s main island.

Was it worth it?

I would say so. For us it was super convinient to get from Kyoto to Tokyo in less than 2 hours, we experienced something different in terms of speed and punctuality and as a bonus we got the chance to see Fuji Mountain!

Enjoy Japan!

PS: Want to go on a trip, but you don’t know how to start planning? I’m here to assist you with everything – book a call with me and let’s make the trip of your dreams possible!