Shinkansen or bullet trainThe fastest way to travel from Osaka to Tokyo is via the Tokaido Shinkansen's Nozomi train.
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The fastest, easiest, and most convenient option is the Shinkansen, especially if you have a Japan Rail Pass or are looking to arrive quick-fast. The cheapest option is usually a highway bus, followed by flights — but these are both a bit time-consuming.
Shinkansen or bullet trainThe fastest way to travel from Osaka to Tokyo is via the Tokaido Shinkansen's Nozomi train. In only about 2 hours and 30 minutes, it can take you from Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka to Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station in Tokyo.
Shinkansen or bullet trainIn only about 2 hours and 30 minutes, it can take you from Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka to Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. However, it is not covered by your JR Pass, and you must purchase a one-way ticket that costs 13,620 yen (unreserved seat) or 14,650 yen (reserved seat).
TLDR The Hokuriku Shinkansen offers a luxurious and scenic train ride with excellent service and amenities, connecting Tokyo and Osaka in about 2.5 hours, with upcoming station openings and improvements.
The train departs from Osaka Station at 00.34 am and arrives at Tokyo Station at 7.08 am, so taking advantage of this service could save you the cost of a night in a hotel. Without a Japan Rail Pass a ticket on this service from Osaka to Tokyo would cost at least 12,180 yen.
The ideal duration to explore Tokyo is at least 5 days to discover the main areas of the city and the outskirts of the prefecture. To explore Japan's best, spend at least 2 weeks here.
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.
Does the JR Pass cover Nozomi and Mizuho trains? The JR Pass is valid on all Shinkansen services in all the Shinkansen lines, except for the Nozomi and Mizuho services on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines. You will not have access to the trains with the fewest stops on the Tokaido and Sanyo lines.
It's very easy to buy shinkansen tickets in person at train stations in Japan. Any JR ticket office or ticket window can sell you shinkansen tickets. In larger train stations like Tokyo and Kyoto, they also have dedicated shinkansen ticket offices. Here's the one in Tokyo Station on the Yaesu side.