The Hikari takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes between Tokyo and Kyoto, so it's almost as fast. Do NOT take the slowest type of shinkansen (the Kodama) as it stops a lot and is much slower. In Tokyo, you can catch the shinkansen at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station.

The Hikari Shinkansen (the "semi-fast" bullet train) typically takes between 2 hours and 34 minutes to 2 hours and 40 minutes to travel from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station. While it is slightly slower than the flagship "Nozomi" service—which completes the journey in about 2 hours and 11 minutes—the Hikari is highly popular because it is the fastest train fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass without an extra supplement fee. The Hikari achieves this speed by making fewer stops than the "Kodama" (which stops at every station and takes nearly 4 hours), but more stops than the Nozomi. On a typical 2026 schedule, there are roughly two Hikari departures per hour. The journey covers about 513 kilometers (318 miles), and passengers can enjoy views of Mount Fuji on the right side of the train (Seat E) shortly after leaving Tokyo. It remains one of the most efficient and comfortable ways to travel between Japan's modern capital and its ancient cultural heart.