Nozomi & Mizuho Shinkansen
Japan's fastest bullet trains. Learn why they're excluded from the JR Pass and whether the upgrade is worth it for your trip.
The Nozomi and Mizuho are the fastest and most frequent Shinkansen services in Japan. While not covered by the standard JR Pass, holders can now purchase special upgrade tickets to ride these premium trains.
What are Nozomi & Mizuho?
Nozomi operates on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines, connecting Tokyo with Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Hakata (Fukuoka). It's the fastest and most frequent service on these routes.
Mizuho runs on the Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines, connecting Shin-Osaka with Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo. It's the fastest service for southern Japan.
Both train types make fewer stops than Hikari, Sakura, or Kodama trains, resulting in faster travel times. The trains themselves travel at the same speed - they simply skip more stations.
Why excluded from JR Pass? Nozomi en Mizuho is premium dienste wat hoofsaaklik deur sakereisigers gebruik word. JR sluit hulle uit om kapasiteit te bestuur en diensgehalte te handhaaf.
Hoeveel vinniger is Nozomi?
Vergelyk reistye tussen verskillende Shinkansen-dienste op gewilde roetes.
| Roete | Nozomi/Mizuho | Hikari/Sakura | Kodama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Kyoto | 2h 15min | 2h 25min | 3h 50min |
| Tokyo → Shin-Osaka | 2h 30min | 2h 35min | 4h 00min |
| Kyoto → Hiroshima | 1h 35min | 2h 00min | - |
| Shin-Osaka → Hakata | 2h 20min | 2h 35min | - |
Hikari, Sakura, and Kodama trains are fully covered by the JR Pass at no extra cost.
The Nozomi Mizuho upgrade ticket
JR Pass holders can now purchase special upgrade tickets to ride Nozomi and Mizuho trains.
Where to purchase the upgrade
The "Only with Japan Rail Pass Nozomi Mizuho Ticket" can be purchased at:
JR ticket offices
Midori-no-madoguchi-toonbanke
Kaartjiemasjiene
Gereserveerde sitplek-kaartjiemasjiene
Reissentrums
JR-reisdienssentrums
Is die opgradering die moeite werd?
Vir die meeste reisigers regverdig die tydbesparing nie die ekstra koste nie. Hier is hoekom.
Redes om op te gradeer
Vinniger reis
Minder gestopte plekke beteken vinniger aankoms by jou bestemming
Meer vertrekke
Nozomi en Mizuho loop meer gereeld as Hikari of Sakura
Direct routes
Some long-distance routes may require fewer transfers
Redes om oor te slaan
Single ride only
Each upgrade ticket is valid for one train ride only
Expensive for time saved
15-25 minutes saved may not justify the cost
Slegs "Japan purchase"
Opgraderings kan slegs in Japan gekoop word na JR Pass-aktivering
Beperkte beskikbaarheid
Gereserveerde sitplekke kan uitverkoop wees gedurende spitsseisoene
Ons aanbeveling
Vir die oorgrote meerderheid reisigers beveel ons aan om die Hikari- of Sakura-treine wat by jou JR Pass ingesluit is, te gebruik. Die 10-15 minute tydsverskil op die meeste roetes is minimaal, en jy sal ¥4 000-7 000 per rit spaar.
Oorweeg om slegs op te gradeer as jy "n baie strak skedule het, gedurende spitstye reis wanneer Hikari vol bespreek is, of as die tydbesparing werklik krities is vir jou reisplan.
Groen motoropsies
Opgraderingsopsies hang af van die tipe JR Pass wat jy het:
- Gewone JR Pass: Slegs gereserveerde en ongereserveerde standaard sitplekke
- Groen JR Pass: Kan opgradeer na Groen motor (behalwe Gran Klas)
Terugbetalings & veranderinge
- Terugbetalings slegs by die aankooplokasie
- Hanteringsfooi: ¥340 vir gereserveerde sitplekke, ¥220 vir ongereserveerde
- Geen terugbetalings nadat reis begin het nie
- Veranderinge slegs toegelaat voor vertrek
Kry jou Japan Rail Pass
Die JR Pass gee jou onbeperkte toegang tot Hikari, Sakura, Kodama, en duisende ander JR-treine. Begin vandag jou reis beplan.