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.
Lineae Shinkansen
High-speed rail across 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.
| Train | Line | Descriptio | JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozomi | Tokaido/Sanyo | Fastest service, NOT covered by JR Pass. Stops only at major stations. | Non tegitur |
| Mizuho | Sanyo/Kyushu | Fastest Kyushu service, NOT covered by JR Pass. Limited stops. | Non tegitur |
| Hikari | Tokaido/Sanyo | Fast service covered by JR Pass. Slightly more stops than Nozomi. | JR Pass tegit |
| Sakura | Sanyo/Kyushu | Fast service covered by JR Pass. Comfortable 2+2 seating. | JR Pass tegit |
| Kodama | Tokaido/Sanyo | All-station stopping service. Covered by JR Pass, great for short hops. | JR Pass tegit |
| Hayabusa | Tohoku/Hokkaido | Fastest train in Japan. Covered by JR Pass. Distinctive long nose. | JR Pass tegit |
| Kagayaki | Hokuriku | Fast service to Kanazawa. Covered by JR Pass. Limited stops. | JR Pass tegit |
Popular Shinkansen routes
Travel times and connections
| Iter | Train | Tempus | Pretium | JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Osaka (Shin-Osaka) | Hikari | 2h 30min | ¥14,720 | JR Pass tegit |
| Tokyo → Osaka (Shin-Osaka) | Nozomi | 2h 15min | ¥14,720 | Non tegitur |
| Tokyo → Kyoto | Hikari | 2h 15min | ¥14,170 | JR Pass tegit |
| Tokyo → Hiroshima | Hikari + Sakura | 4h 30min | ¥19,760 | JR Pass tegit |
| Tokyo → Sendai | Hayabusa | 1h 30min | ¥11,410 | JR Pass tegit |
| Tokyo → Kanazawa | Kagayaki | 2h 30min | ¥14,380 | JR Pass tegit |
| Tokyo → Shin-Hakodate | Hayabusa | 4h | ¥23,430 | JR Pass tegit |
| Hakata → Kagoshima-Chuo | Sakura/Tsubame | 1h 20min | ¥10,640 | JR Pass tegit |
Major Shinkansen stations
Key stops on the bullet train network
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 Station
Gateway to Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima. All Sanyo Shinkansen trains stop here.
Hakata Station
Fukuoka's main station. Terminal for Sanyo Shinkansen and start of Kyushu Shinkansen.
Sendai Station
Largest city in Tohoku region. Major stop for Hayabusa and Yamabiko trains.
Kanazawa Station
Beautiful modern station with wooden drum gate. Terminal of Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Nagoya Station
Japan's largest station building by floor area. Major Tokaido Shinkansen hub.
Shinkansen travel tips
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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.
Food on board
Ekiben (station bento boxes) are a Japanese tradition. Buy before boarding as limited items sold on trains.
Luggage storage
Standard cars have overhead racks. For large suitcases, reserve oversized luggage space when booking seats.
Platform timing
Trains stop for only 1-2 minutes. Know your car number and stand at the correct platform position marked on the ground.
Wi-Fi availability
Free Wi-Fi on most Shinkansen but can be slow. Download entertainment beforehand for long journeys.