What is the best Shinkansen in Japan?

The Tokaido Shinkansen (??????, Tokaido Shinkansen) is a shinkansen line that connects Japan's three largest metropolitan areas (Tokyo/Yokohama, Nagoya and Osaka/Kyoto) with each other. It is Japan's best used shinkansen line with departures every few minutes.



While "best" is subjective, the Tokaido Shinkansen remains the most popular for 2026 tourists because it connects Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. However, for sheer luxury and technology, the Tohoku and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines are considered the superior choice. These lines feature the "Gran Class"—the equivalent of First Class on an airplane—offering 2+1 leather seating, complimentary gourmet meals, and an open bar. If you value speed and futuristic aesthetics, the Hayabusa train (Tohoku line) is the "king" of the rails, reaching speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph). For the most scenic views, the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (the "Kamome") offers stunning vistas of the Ariake Sea. In 2026, as overtourism becomes a greater concern in Kyoto, savvy travelers are using the Hokuriku line to visit Kanazawa, which offers a "Traditional Japan" experience with much newer, smoother trains and significantly less crowded carriages than the main Tokaido route.

Determining the “best” Shinkansen in Japan depends on your priorities, as each model and route offers unique advantages. However, here’s a breakdown of the top contenders and what makes them special:

1. For Speed & Cutting-Edge Technology: N700S “Supreme”

  • Operates on: Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (Tokyo to Hakata).
  • Why it’s a contender: The latest and most advanced series, featuring:
    • The fastest scheduled operation in the world (reaching 285 km/h on the Tokaido line, 300 km/h on the Sanyo line).
    • “Green Cars” (first class) with exceptional comfort and privacy.
    • Advanced earthquake detection and rapid acceleration/deceleration.
    • It’s the benchmark for reliability and frequency on Japan’s busiest line.

2. For Scenic Beauty & Luxury: Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen “GranClass”

  • Operates on: E5/H5 Series (Tohoku Shinkansen) and E7/W7 Series (Hokuriku Shinkansen).
  • Why it’s a contender: This isn’t a train model, but a premium service class available on certain trains.
    • Offered on the Hayabusa (E5/H5 to Hokkaido) and Kagayaki (E7/W7 to Kanazawa).
    • Features 2-1 seating configuration, leather recliners, exceptional meal service, dedicated attendants, and premium amenities. It’s often compared to flying first-class.

3. For the Ultimate Experience: Shiki-shima (Cruise Train)

  • Note: This is a luxury sleeper train, not a conventional Shinkansen, but it runs on Shinkansen tracks for parts of its journey.

People Also Ask

Japan has been a legend in commuter travel for over half a century. Early Japanese train travel featured decadent luxury, such as on Japan's famous night trains.

MORE DETAILS

Completed in 1975, it is the second oldest Japanese Shinkansen line. There are 5 train services that run on this line: Nozomi, Hikari, Kodama, Mizuho, and Sakura. The fastest train is Nozomi which reaches an operating speed of 300 km/h (185 mph).

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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!

MORE DETAILS

Use the bullet train Tokaido Shinkansen to travel to Mt. Fuji right from the heart of Tokyo. On the left side, you will see mesmerizing Sagami Bay, and on the right side the symbol of Japan, the highest summit of the country, perfectly symmetrical Mount Fuji.

MORE DETAILS

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

MORE DETAILS

Eating and drinking on Japanese trains 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.

MORE DETAILS

Save on the shinkansen with an EX-IC card In many cases, flying is cheaper than riding there by bullet train. The easiest way to save on shinkansen costs is with an EX-IC card. You pay a deposit to get issued the card. Then, you download the EX App to your phone.

MORE DETAILS

Mount Fuji can be seen from the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka. When coming from Tokyo, the mountain appears on the right side of the train and is best viewed around Shin-Fuji Station, about 40-45 minutes into the journey.

MORE DETAILS

It is possible to view Mount Fuji for a couple of minutes if the weather is clear, about one hour away from Tokyo. When going from Tokyo to Kyoto, sit on the right side of the car. When going from Kyoto to Tokyo, sit on the left side of the car.

MORE DETAILS

If you wish to travel on the Nozomi or Mizuho Shinkansen, you must purchase a special ticket to complement your JR Pass. The price of the supplement is the same for ordinary class, first class (Green Car) and reserved and non-reserved seats.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS