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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Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are connected by the Tokaido Shinkansen line, included with the Japan Rail Pass. This line is one of the most heavily travelled high-speed rail route in the world.
Tokyo station is the main shinkansen terminal, and connects the Tokaido (Osaka), Tohoku (Shin-Aomori), Joetsu(Niigata) and Nagano Shinkansen bullet train lines. The Hikari and Kodama bullet trains run on the Tokaido line from here.
Kyoto Station is a major railway station and transportation hub in Kyoto, Japan. It has Japan's second-largest station building and is one of the country's largest buildings, incorporating a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities under one 15-story roof.
The cities of Tokyo and Kyoto are linked to each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. 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.
Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen trainsSummer 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.
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!
Shinkansen or bullet trainThe Nozomi trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line are the fastest trains that run between Tokyo and Kyoto. A one-way travel from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station takes just 2 hours and 15 minutes, and costs the same as the two other slower trains. Unfortunately, it is not covered by the JR Pass.
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.
Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Between Tokyo and KyotoThe fastest type of shinkansen, called the Nozomi, takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs Y13,080 for a one-way trip in an unreserved seat.
It is possible to view Mount Fuji for a couple of minutes if the weather is clear, about one hour away from Tokyo. When going from Tokyo to Kyoto, sit on the right side of the car. When going from Kyoto to Tokyo, sit on the left side of the car.
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.
With a medium stay of 4-5 days in Kyoto, you'll have the opportunity to delve deeper into the city's rich history and culture. This extended duration allows you to venture beyond the most famous attractions and explore some of Kyoto's lesser-known gems.
When boarding directly from a Shinkansen station, please insert your tickets into the Shinkansen ticket gate prior to boarding. Your tickets are required for on-board ticket checks and exiting the station at your destination. Please do not lose or forget to take your tickets.
Kyoto is quite far, can you do a day trip from Tokyo? Absolutely! From Tokyo to Kyoto, the best mode of transportation is through the shinkansen or bullet train. The Nozomi line takes approximately 3 hours one way and costs about 13,000 yen one way per person.
Eating and drinking on Japanese trainsYou should eat on trains only when taking a long-distance train, such as the Shinkansen. These types of trains have a tray and cup holder at every seat, and snacks are sold from a vendor trolley.