Shinkansen or bullet trainIn just 2 hours and 30 minutes, you can get from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station. A one-way trip costs 13,620 yen (unreserved seat) or 14,650 yen (reserved seat), and is not covered by the JR Pass.
People Also Ask
The journey from Tokyo to Osaka on the bullet train take a reasonable 2.5 to 3 hours. The route, on the Tokaido Shinkansen line, is popular, served by multiple Shinkansen every hour.
According to a study by the Los Angeles Times, the most current projected fare for the train, $86 a ride, would still be one of the most inexpensive high-speed rail trips on a per-mile basis. When funding for the project was first approved, however, tickets were projected to be closer to the $50 range.
A standard fee for a one-way Tokyo to Kyoto ticket is around 160 USD during peak seasons and 100-120 USD off peak, although the price heavily depends on such factor as what travel class you prefer or do you purchase a ticket with reserved or unreserved seats.
The Shinkansen service which runs from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station is the fastest way and it's covered by the JR Pass. The bullet train time is only 15 minutes. If you don't have a JR Pass, the Shinkansen price for this journey is 1,420 yen.
The JR Pass is the most cost-effective way to travel around Japan for most visitors. The pass offers unlimited access to all JR public transport including Shinkansen bullet trains, buses, ferries, and airport transfers, for a very cheap, discounted price.
Osaka is the third largest city in Japan (population 2.7 million) behind Tokyo and Yokohama. It has a rich history dating back some 1,500 years. Popular for its nightlife, food and shopping, Osaka should definitely be on your list when planning your Japan itinerary.
As you travel around Japan and stay in other cities, you'll find that the prices are less than Tokyo. Even Osaka – another big city – is about 25 per cent cheaper on average. The only main city that isn't necessarily much cheaper than Tokyo is Kyoto, but that's because it is such a popular tourist destination.
Save on the shinkansen with an EX-IC cardIn many cases, flying is cheaper than riding there by bullet train. The easiest way to save on shinkansen costs is with an EX-IC card. You pay a deposit to get issued the card. Then, you download the EX App to your phone.
Instead, what makes the Shinkansen (and any Ltd. Express train) more expensive then regular trains is a hefty standard surcharge: the supplementary special-express ticket, which covers the premium experience of traveling on the nice fast trains. And yes, you have to pay it even if you have to stand.
A gradually decreasing number of shinkansen trains are served by small food carts with a selection of snacks, drinks and boxed meals (bento) which periodically pass along the aisle. Free Wi-Fi is available on board of all shinkansen except on some older train sets in eastern Japan.
It's known for having some of the best food in Japan and it offers plenty to do for first-time visitors. If it's your first trip and you don't have a lot of time, then I'd say that 3 days in Osaka is ideal. It'll give you enough time to see the city's top attractions without feeling rushed.
The Japan Rail Pass gives you unlimited access to all Shinkansen bullet trains except the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen, which run on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. The Japan Rail Pass allows you to make a free reservation for these two types of trains, but you still need to pay for the ticket.
With your Japan Rail PassThe 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.