How to take Hikari Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto?

How to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto. Getting from Tokyo to Kyoto with the Japan Rail Pass is easy. You should take the Shinkansen Hikari bullet train from either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station in central Tokyo, and arrive at Kyoto Station. Three trains run on the Tokaido Shinkansen line: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama.



Taking the Hikari Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Go to Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station

  • Tokyo Station (Marunouchi side) is the main starting point, but some Hikari trains also stop at Shinagawa Station (a few minutes south of Tokyo Station).
  • Both stations are easily accessible via JR lines, metro, or taxi.

2. Buy Your Ticket

You have several options:

  • At the Station:
  • Ticket Machines (English available): Look for the JR ticket machines. Select “Shinkansen” → “Tokai-do Shinkansen” → “Hikari” → “Kyoto.”
  • Ticket Counters (Midori-no-madoguchi): Staff can assist in English.
  • Online in Advance:
  • Purchase through JR East’s online system (for JR Pass holders or separate tickets) or SmartEX app (for individual tickets, often at a discount if booked early).

3. Seat Reservations

  • Reserved Seat (指定席 Shiteiseki): Recommended during peak hours. You can reserve at machines, counters, or online.
  • Non-Reserved Seat (自由席 Jiyūseki): Available in cars 1–3 or 1–5 (check signage). Board early for a seat, especially during busy times.
  • Green Car (first class): Also available on Hikari trains at a higher fare.

4. Find the Platform

  • At Tokyo

People Also Ask

Using the JR Pass there are two ways to ride the Hikari Shinkansen, either just hop on and take a non-reserved seat, or go to the ticket window and reserve your seat in advance, both options are free. Taking a non-reserved seat is nice when you are short on time and during off-peak times when trains are quiet.

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Where Can I Board the Shinkansen? Platforms 14 through 23 at Tokyo Station are for all Shinkansen trains. Platforms 14-19 are for the Tokaido shinkansen and Sanyo shinkansen trains. Travelers headed to cities in western Japan like Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima will board from these platforms.

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Hikari is the fastest train service on the Sanyo and Tokaido Shinkansen lines which is fully covered by the 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. Fuji!

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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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Traveling between Kyoto and Osaka is now easier than ever. Just take the Hikari train on the Tokaido Shinkansen line. You will get between Kyoto Station and Shin-Osaka Station in less than 30 minutes, traveling at a speed of 285 km/h (177 mph).

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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.

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How much luggage can I bring onto the shinkansen? Each passenger is allowed to bring on two pieces of oversized luggage each. Each of these pieces of luggage cannot exceed 250 cm in total dimensions as previously stated. Additionally, each piece of luggage cannot exceed 30 kg (66 lbs) in weight.

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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.

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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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Some trains might have a stop as brief as 1 minute, while others might stop 5 to 10 minutes due to waiting for other Shinkansen to pass. Regardless, arriving at the platform about 15 minutes before the departure time provides ample mental and physical preparation.

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

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Where is Shinkansen station in Tokyo? The famous Shinkansen trains stop at Tokyo and Shinagawa stations, but Tokyo rail station prides itself on being the city's main Shinkansen terminal. You can find it at 1 Chome Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo.

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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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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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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.

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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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There are no crowds on the intercity Shinkansen trains so free seats tend to be available. However, it is recommended to book a seat before boarding any train during the following peak seasons: April 27 to May 6. August 11-20.

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