Kodama (???, Echo) is one of the three train services running on the Tokaido and San'yo Shinkansen lines. Stopping at every station, the Kodama is the slowest Shinkansen service for trips between major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.

The slowest service on Japan's high-speed rail network is the Kodama (which means "Echo"). While the train itself is capable of reaching speeds up to 285 km/h (177 mph), it is the "slowest" because it is a local service that stops at every single station along the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines. For example, a journey from Tokyo to Osaka on the "fastest" train (the Nozomi) takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes, whereas the same trip on a Kodama takes nearly 4 hours. The Kodama is primarily used by commuters traveling between smaller cities or by travelers using the "Platt Kodama" discount tickets. In 2026, many of the older 700-series train sets have been retired, so even the "slow" Kodama usually features the modern N700S rolling stock, providing a very comfortable and quiet ride despite the frequent stops. It is a great choice if you aren't in a rush and want to see the various "smaller" stations of Japan, or if you are using a Japan Rail Pass and can't find a seat on the semi-fast Hikari service.