Can you use JR Pass on Hikari trains?

The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. Please use HIKARI, SAKURA, KODAMA and TSUBAME trains.



Yes, the Japan Rail (JR) Pass is fully valid on Hikari trains, and in 2026, it remains the fastest Shinkansen service available to most pass holders without paying an extra fee. The Hikari is the "middle tier" of service on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines; it is much faster than the local Kodama but makes slightly more stops than the flagship Nozomi. While the JR Pass traditionally excludes the Nozomi and Mizuho trains (unless you purchase a special supplemental ticket), the Hikari allows you to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto in about 2 hours and 40 minutes. You can use your pass to sit in "Non-Reserved" cars for free, or you can go to a ticket machine or office to book a "Reserved" seat at no additional cost. For many travelers, the Hikari is the "sweet spot" of the JR Pass experience, offering nearly the same speed and comfort as the premium services while keeping the journey included in the initial cost of the pass. Just be sure to check the platform displays, as Hikari trains are less frequent than the every-ten-minute Nozomi schedule.

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As mentioned, the JR Pass is valid on the Hikari Shinkansen and Kodama services but not the Nozomi train, so be careful to board the right train.

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The main difference here is that the Nozomi stops at the least amount of stations, the Hikari only at the most important stops and the Kodama at each stop along the way. This way business people can travel fast from meeting to meeting, while tourists can get off at their desired stop, like Mt. Fuji!

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A one-way trip from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station on a Hikari or Kodama train costs 13,080 yen (unreserved seat) or 13,800 yen (reserved seat), but is completely free with a JR Pass.

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The main difference here is that the Nozomi stops at the least amount of stations, the Hikari only at the most important stops and the Kodama at each stop along the way. This way business people can travel fast from meeting to meeting, while tourists can get off at their desired stop, like Mt.

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Slower than the premier Nozomi but faster than the all-stations Kodama, the Hikari is the fastest train service on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen that can be used with the Japan Rail Pass, which is not valid for travel on the Nozomi or Mizuho trains except through a special supplementary ticket.

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Differences in Fares For example, a reserved seat from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka on a Nozomi train costs 14, 450 yen, while the same seat on a Hikari or Kodama costs 14,140 yen. Please keep in mind that you might not be able to sit down when you buy a non-reserved seat ticket if the train is particularly crowded.

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While the metro lines do no accept the JR Pass, other IC Cards, such as the Pasmo and Suica, may be used. These cards give you access to almost any train or bus in Tokyo, and are a perfect complement to the JR Pass.

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Hikari is a swiftly traveling locomotive service running within the Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen lines. This train makes more stops compared to the Nozomi, but it reaches destinations faster than the Kodama shinkansen, which makes even more stops.

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On average at Hikari Shinkansen service will depart at least every 30 minutes during daytime, so you never have to wait long for the next train.

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The Hikari Shinkansen have bathrooms, including Japanese high tech toilets.

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Japan Rail Pass is not valid for “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” trains(including non-reserved seats). To travel on Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen lines, Japan Rail Pass holders have to take “Hikari” trains, “Kodama” trains or “Sakura” trains(see the next page).

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The best way to travel between Tokyo and Osaka is the shinkansen (bullet train). The fastest type of shinkansen, which is called the Nozomi, takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs Y13,620 for a one-way trip in an unreserved seat.

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The Hikari Shinkansen is the train that brings JR Pass users between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, stopping at important stops like Nagoya, Shizuoka and – of course – Kyoto!

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Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen trains Summer is also the time when Mount Fuji can be clearly seen from a Shinkansen train leaving Tokyo towards Nagoya – Osaka – Kyoto. The window view is impressive – make sure to reserve your D or E seat (C or D in Green Cars), which is the right side from Tokyo, left side from Kyoto.

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You can put baggage whose overall dimensions are less than 160 cm (the same size as the baggage that can be carried for free in airplane holds) * on the overhead baggage rack of the Shinkansen.

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