The 300-yen bullet train rideThe Hakata-Minami Line appeals to train buffs because it's the cheapest regularly scheduled bullet train ride in Japan.
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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.
Shinkansen or bullet trainIn just 2 hours and 30 minutes, you can get from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station. A one-way trip costs 13,620 yen (unreserved seat) or 14,650 yen (reserved seat), and is not covered by the JR Pass.
A standard fee for a one-way Tokyo to Kyoto ticket is around 160 USD during peak seasons and 100-120 USD off peak, although the price heavily depends on such factor as what travel class you prefer or do you purchase a ticket with reserved or unreserved seats.
Note that for the Shinkansen, you need a “super (limited) express” ticket in addition to the basic fare ticket for that route (we sell these as a set). Do Shinkansen tickets sell out? Yes, especially for weekend travel and during peak seasons, Shinkansen services can be fully booked.
The Shinkansen service which runs from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station is the fastest way and it's covered by the JR Pass. The bullet train time is only 15 minutes. If you don't have a JR Pass, the Shinkansen price for this journey is 1,420 yen.
Unfortunately, the Shinkansen doesn't come cheap, so travelers on tight budgets tend to forego it for more practical options. But there are ways to experience the Shinkansen more affordably—and here, we show you how. Note: The Japan Rail Pass is the most economical way to take bullet trains up, down and across Japan.
The Japan Rail Pass gives you unlimited access to all Shinkansen bullet trains except the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen, which run on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. The Japan Rail Pass allows you to make a free reservation for these two types of trains, but you still need to pay for the ticket.
Generally there is no need to buy Japanese yen in your home country before your trip, as you will most likely pay a higher commission (about 3%) and a worse exchange rate than you would get at the airports, banks, or ATMs in Japan.
The likelihood that credit cards are accepted decreases in small cities and towns, and thus it is advisable to keep cash at hand when visiting rural areas. Cash is often the only way to pay for small entrance fees at tourist sights, smaller restaurants and small shops. Many lockers also require coins.
Trains rarely sell out except at peak travel times. The Nozomi sells out the quickest and there are only three non-reserved cars, so it is best to get a seat reservation in advance on these trains. The Hikari, and especially the Kodama, have more non-reserved cars and rarely sell out.
Snack and food sales have been a mainstay on the Shinkansen, or bullet train, since it began running in 1964, the year Japan hosted the first Tokyo Olympics, a railway spokesperson said, but it was not clear when the cart services began. Tottori, Japan sand dunes on the Sea of Japan.
Types of ShinkansenThere are three types of Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen, namely, Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama. The Nozomi Shinkansen stops at fewer stations compared to the other two, and is your quickest route to the Kansai region of Kyoto , Osaka , Kobe and beyond.