Which Shinkansen goes to Kyoto?

Getting from Tokyo to Kyoto with the Japan Rail Pass is easy. You should take the Shinkansen Hikari bullet train from either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station in central Tokyo, and arrive at Kyoto Station. Three trains run on the Tokaido Shinkansen line: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama.



Kyoto is served by the Tokaido Shinkansen, which is the most heavily traveled high-speed rail line in Japan, connecting Tokyo to Osaka. There are three types of trains that stop at Kyoto Station: the Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama. The Nozomi is the fastest, reaching Kyoto from Tokyo in approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, making only a few stops at major cities like Nagoya. The Hikari is slightly slower (around 2 hours and 40 minutes) but is a popular choice for tourists because it is fully covered by the Japan Rail (JR) Pass without an extra surcharge. The Kodama is the "local" bullet train that stops at every station along the route, taking nearly 4 hours. In 2026, the Tokaido Shinkansen remains the primary artery for travel to Kyoto, and all trains on this line are operated by JR Central. Travelers are advised to book seats in advance during "Golden Week" or the cherry blossom season, as Kyoto Station is one of the busiest transport hubs in the country.

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As mentioned above, Shinkansen trains stop at the Kyoto railway station. If you are planning to travel on a famous Japanese bullet train, you need to find the Shinkansen platforms, located in the southern part of the building known as Hachijo (it faces the Hachijo street hence the name).

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With your Japan Rail Pass The cities of Tokyo and Kyoto are linked to each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. A one-way trip from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station on a Hikari or Kodama train costs 13,080 yen (unreserved seat) or 13,800 yen (reserved seat), but is completely free with a JR Pass.

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Just take the Hikari train on the Tokaido Shinkansen line. You will get between Kyoto Station and Shin-Osaka Station in less than 30 minutes, traveling at a speed of 285 km/h (177 mph).

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One of the most popular connections in Japan, Tokyo to Kyoto bullet train departs every half an hour starting from 6 am. The train schedule is very impressive with up to 31 daily departures, you can check it out on Rail Ninja. How much does a ticket for a Tokyo to Kyoto bullet train cost?

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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.

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If you calculate that your travel costs will be lower if you buy individual tickets for each journey, then it's not worth buying a JR Pass. However, if you take into account journeys on Shinkansen high-speed trains or other means of transport, the savings you make become substantial.

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The Japan Rail Pass is valid for West JR Bus company, which operates the Takao Keihoku Line. This line runs between Kyoto station and Shuzan. You will be able to go to Ninnaji Temple and Ryoanji Temple.

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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.

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Can I use the JR Pass in Kyoto? Yes, to a limited extent. JR lines run to the west and south of Kyoto, with access to highlights such as Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari and Uji. Additionally, a local JR bus runs from Kyoto station to north Kyoto.

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The JR Pass will be available for purchase in Japan until October 1, 2023. The period will not be extended beyond this date. Aside from being cheaper, buying your JR Pass online is much more convenient. You can have the JR Exchange Order delivered to your home address or at an address of your choosing in Japan.

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The cities of Tokyo and Kyoto are linked to each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. A one-way trip from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station on a Hikari or Kodama train costs 13,080 yen (unreserved seat) or 13,800 yen (reserved seat), but is completely free with a JR Pass.

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All Shinkansen trains are covered by the JR Pass. The Nozomi and Mizuho high-speed trains (Tokaido and Sanyo lines) are also included, subject to purchase of a special complementary ticket. JR Pass holders wishing to travel free on these lines can board local and semi-fast trains.

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The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. (The pass holders must take “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA,” or “TSUBAME” trains.)

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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.

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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.

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