01
At a glance
- Nozomi: fastest, fewest stops. Supplement required with the JR Pass.
- Hikari: very fast, a few more stops. Fully covered by the JR Pass.
- Kodama: stops at every station, the slowest. Fully covered by the JR Pass.
Train types
Nozomi vs Hikari vs Kodama: which shinkansen to take
The Tokaido shinkansen runs three train categories: Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama. Each one stops at different stations and is treated differently by the JR Pass.
02
Travel times Tokyo to Shin Osaka
- Nozomi: 2 hours 22 minutes.
- Hikari: 2 hours 55 minutes.
- Kodama: 4 hours 10 minutes.
03
Which to choose with a JR Pass
Hikari is almost always the right choice. You save the Nozomi supplement and only lose around 30 minutes. Kodama makes sense if you want a guaranteed quiet seat or are stopping at a small station like Atami or Mishima.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Can I use a JR Pass on Nozomi?
Yes, but you pay a supplement of around 4,800 yen one way from Tokyo to Osaka.
Is Hikari much slower than Nozomi?
No. The difference is about 30 minutes on the Tokyo to Osaka route.
Why would I take Kodama?
It stops at every station, which is useful if your destination is a small town the Hikari skips.
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