Four Hikari trains depart each hour, two in each direction. Departures take place approximately every half hour. Hikari trains stop only at major cities, but these stops differ by train.

The Hikari service on the Tokaido Shinkansen line (connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka) typically runs twice per hour in each direction. While the faster Nozomi service dominates the schedule with up to 12 departures per hour, the Hikari remains a vital link for travelers using the JR Pass, as it is the fastest train covered by the pass without a supplemental fee. Most Hikari trains departing Tokyo are destined for either Okayama or Shin-Osaka. Because they make more stops than the Nozomi—stopping at stations like Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, or Odawara on a rotating basis—the journey from Tokyo to Osaka takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes, compared to the 2 hours and 25 minutes on a Nozomi. In 2026, the schedule remains highly punctual, with average delays measured in seconds, and trains are spaced roughly every 30 minutes throughout the day.