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.

The Nozomi is the fastest service on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines. While both the Nozomi and Hikari trains can reach the same top speeds—up to 300 km/h (186 mph) on the Sanyo section—the Nozomi is faster in terms of total travel time because it makes fewer stops. For example, a journey from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes on a Nozomi, whereas the same trip on a Hikari takes roughly 3 hours. The Nozomi stops only at major hubs like Nagoya and Kyoto, while the Hikari serves more intermediate stations. For many years, the primary "catch" was that the Japan Rail (JR) Pass did not cover the Nozomi; however, as of late 2023 and into 2026, JR Pass holders can now ride the Nozomi by paying a supplemental fee. If you are looking for the absolute most efficient way to cross Japan, the Nozomi is the "premier" choice, but the Hikari remains a high-speed and cost-effective alternative for those who wish to use their standard JR Pass without the extra surcharge.