Important: Nozomi and Mizuho not covered
The Japan Rail Pass does not cover Nozomi or Mizuho trains.
JR Pass holders can use Hikari, Sakura, Kodama, and Tsubame.
Shinkansen-lyne
Hoëspoedspoor oor Japan
Tokaido Shinkansen
Japan's busiest and most famous bullet train line. Connects Tokyo to Osaka via Nagoya and Kyoto. Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama services available.
Sanyo Shinkansen
Extension of Tokaido from Osaka to Hakata (Fukuoka) via Hiroshima, Okayama, and Kobe. Some trains continue as Nozomi/Mizuho.
Tohoku Shinkansen
Connects Tokyo to northern Honshu including Sendai, Morioka, and Shin-Aomori. Hayabusa trains are the fastest.
Hokkaido Shinkansen
Extends from Shin-Aomori through the Seikan Tunnel to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto in Hokkaido. Future extension to Sapporo planned.
Hokuriku Shinkansen
Connects Tokyo to Kanazawa via Nagano and the Japanese Alps. Recently extended to Tsuruga in 2024.
Joetsu Shinkansen
Links Tokyo to Niigata on the Sea of Japan coast. Popular for skiing destinations and rice country.
Kyushu Shinkansen
Runs from Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo through southern Kyushu. Features unique Kyushu design trains.
Yamagata Shinkansen
Mini-Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shinjo via Yamagata. Uses smaller trains that run on conventional tracks.
Akita Shinkansen
Mini-Shinkansen from Tokyo to Akita via Morioka. Connects to hot spring resorts and samurai towns.
Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen
New line connecting Takeo-Onsen to Nagasaki. Opened in 2022 with Kamome trains.
Train types explained
Know which Shinkansen services you can use with your JR Pass.
| Trein | Lyn | Description | JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozomi | Tokaido/Sanyo | Vinnigste diens, NIE gedek deur JR Pass nie. Stop slegs by groot stasies. | Not covered |
| Mizuho | Sanyo/Kyushu | Vinnigste Kyushu-diens, NIE gedek deur JR Pass nie. Beperkte stoppe. | Not covered |
| Hikari | Tokaido/Sanyo | Vinnige diens gedek deur JR Pass. Effens meer stoppe as Nozomi. | Covered by JR Pass |
| Sakura | Sanyo/Kyushu | Vinnige diens gedek deur JR Pass. Gemaklike 2+2 sitplekke. | Covered by JR Pass |
| Kodama | Tokaido/Sanyo | Diens wat by alle stasies stop. Gedek deur JR Pass, ideaal vir kort ritte. | Covered by JR Pass |
| Hayabusa | Tohoku/Hokkaido | Vinnigste trein in Japan. Gedek deur JR Pass. Kenmerkende lang neus. | Covered by JR Pass |
| Kagayaki | Hokuriku | Vinnige diens na Kanazawa. Gedek deur JR Pass. Beperkte stoppe. | Covered by JR Pass |
Popular Shinkansen routes
Travel times and connections
| Route | Trein | Time | Fare | JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokio → Osaka (Shin-Osaka) | Hikari | 2h 30min | ¥14,720 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Tokio → Osaka (Shin-Osaka) | Nozomi | 2h 15min | ¥14,720 | Not covered |
| Tokio → Kioto | Hikari | 2h 15min | ¥14,170 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Tokio → Hiroshima | Hikari + Sakura | 4h 30min | ¥19,760 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Tokio → Sendai | Hayabusa | 1h 30min | ¥11,410 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Tokio → Kanazawa | Kagayaki | 2h 30min | ¥14,380 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Tokio → Shin-Hakodate | Hayabusa | 4h | ¥23,430 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Hakata → Kagoshima-Chuo | Sakura/Tsubame | 1h 20min | ¥10,640 | Covered by JR Pass |
Groot Shinkansen-stasies
Sleutelpunte op die snelstroom-netwerk
Tokyo Station
Grand central hub where 5 Shinkansen lines converge. Historic red-brick Marunouchi building. Platform numbers 20-23 for bullet trains.
Shin-Osaka Station
Major junction where Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen meet. Gateway to western Japan and Kyushu.
Kyoto Station
All Tokaido Shinkansen trains stop here except Nozomi non-stop services. Stunning modern architecture.
Hiroshima-stasie
Toegangspoort tot Vredesgedenktekenpark en Miyajima. Alle Sanyo Shinkansen-treine stop hier.
Hakata-stasie
Fukuoka se hoofstasie. Eindpunt vir Sanyo Shinkansen en die begin van Kyushu Shinkansen.
Sendai-stasie
Grootste stad in die Tohoku-streek. Belangrike stop vir Hayabusa- en Yamabiko-treine.
Kanazawa-stasie
'n Pragtige moderne stasie met 'n hout dromhek. Eindpunt van Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Nagoya-stasie
Japan se grootste stasiegebou volgens vloeroppervlakte. Belangrike Tokaido Shinkansen-spilpunt.
Shinkansen travel tips
Get the most from your bullet train experience
Reserved vs. unreserved
JR Pass allows free reserved seat bookings at ticket offices. Unreserved cars (non-reserved) are available on most trains.
Peak travel times
Golden Week (late April-early May), Obon (mid-August), and New Year see extremely crowded trains. Book early.
Kos aan boord
Ekiben (stasie bento-bokse) is 'n Japannese tradisie. Koop voor jy opklim, aangesien beperkte items op treine verkoop word.
Bagasieberging
Standaardwaens het oorhoofse rakke. Vir groot tasse, bespreek oorgroot bagasiespasie wanneer jy sitplekke bespreek.
Platformtydsberekening
Treine stop slegs vir 1-2 minute. Ken jou wa-nommer en staan by die korrekte platformposisie wat op die grond gemerk is.
Wi-Fi beskikbaarheid
Gratis Wi-Fi op die meeste Shinkansen, maar dit kan stadig wees. Laai vermaak vooraf af vir lang reise.