Yes, you can use the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto on the Shinkansen (bullet train), but there are important rules and financial considerations to keep in mind for 2026. The JR Pass covers the "Hikari" and "Kodama" train services on the Tokaido Shinkansen line for no extra charge. As of late 2023, you can also ride the fastest "Nozomi" trains, but only if you pay a supplemental "Nozomi/Mizuho" upgrade fee for each segment of your journey. While the pass provides great flexibility, a major price hike in October 2023 means the National JR Pass (starting at ¥50,000 for 7 days) is often not worth the cost if you are only doing a simple round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka. To break even in 2026, you generally need to travel much further—such as adding a trip to Hiroshima, Kanazawa, or the northern regions—within the 7-day window. For a basic Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka route, most travelers now find it cheaper to purchase individual Shinkansen tickets or use regional passes like the Hokuriku Arch Pass. If you do use the pass, you can reserve seats for free at any JR ticket office or through a self-service machine, which is highly recommended during busy periods.