The Hikari, Kodama, and Sakura bullet trains are the fastest trains you can board using the Japan Rail Pass without a supplement. They make just a few more stops than the Nozomi and Mizuho trains.
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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.
The Nozomi (Japanese for Hope or Wish) is Japan's fastest bullet train, being the super-express service on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen that runs between Tokyo and out west to Kyushu.
Differences in FaresFor 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.
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).
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.
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.
The Sanyo Shinkansen Line provides fast and convenient access between Osaka and Hiroshima. Its Sakura and Hikari trains can take you from Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka to Hiroshima Station in Hiroshima Station in about an hour and a half, and its Kodama trains take about 2 hours and a half.
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 Hikari takes about 2 hours and 53 minutes between Tokyo and Osaka, so it's almost as fast. Just be sure not take the slowest type of shinkansen (the Kodama) as it stops a lot and is much slower. If you're paying cash, then of course you should opt for the Nozomi to save yourself 23 minutes.
You 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. When taking this type of train, it is also acceptable to bring your own food.
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.
Shinkansen or bullet trainIt takes only 14 minutes to run between Kyoto Station and Shin-Osaka Station. If you want to use this option to get from Kyoto to Osaka, you need to buy a one-way ticket that costs 1,420 yen (unreserved seat) or 3,220 yen (reserved seat).
As mentioned above, Shinkansen trains stop at the Kyoto railway station. If you are planning to travel on a famous Japanese bullet train, you need to find the Shinkansen platforms, located in the southern part of the building known as Hachijo (it faces the Hachijo street hence the name).
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.
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.