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 lines
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
Xakata shahridan janubiy九州 boʻylab Kagoshima-Chuo'ga qadar oʻtadi. Oʻziga xos Kyushu dizaynidagi poyezdlarga ega.
Yamagata Shinkanseni
Tokiodan Yamagata orqali Shinjo'gacha boʻlgan Mini-Shinkansen. Anʼanaviy relslarda harakatlanuvchi kichikroq poyezdlardan foydalanadi.
Akita Shinkanseni
Tokiodan Morioka orqali Akita'gacha boʻlgan Mini-Shinkansen. Issiq buloqli kurortlar va samuray shaharlari bilan bogʻlangan.
Nishi Kyushu Shinkanseni
Takeo-Onsen'dan Nagasaki'gacha bogʻlaydigan yangi liniya. 2022-yilda Kamome poyezdlari yordamida ochilgan.
Train types explained
Know which Shinkansen services you can use with your JR Pass.
| Train | Line | Description | JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozomi | Tokaido/Sanyo | Fastest service, NOT covered by JR Pass. Stops only at major stations. | Not covered |
| Mizuho | Sanyo/Kyushu | Fastest Kyushu service, NOT covered by JR Pass. Limited stops. | Not covered |
| Hikari | Tokaido/Sanyo | Fast service covered by JR Pass. Slightly more stops than Nozomi. | Covered by JR Pass |
| Sakura | Sanyo/Kyushu | Fast service covered by JR Pass. Comfortable 2+2 seating. | Covered by JR Pass |
| Kodama | Tokaido/Sanyo | All-station stopping service. Covered by JR Pass, great for short hops. | Covered by JR Pass |
| Hayabusa | Tohoku/Hokkaido | Fastest train in Japan. Covered by JR Pass. Distinctive long nose. | Covered by JR Pass |
| Kagayaki | Hokuriku | Fast service to Kanazawa. Covered by JR Pass. Limited stops. | Covered by JR Pass |
Popular Shinkansen routes
Travel times and connections
| Route | Train | Time | Fare | JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Osaka (Shin-Osaka) | Hikari | 2h 30min | ¥14,720 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Tokyo → Osaka (Shin-Osaka) | Nozomi | 2h 15min | ¥14,720 | Not covered |
| Tokyo → Kyoto | Hikari | 2h 15min | ¥14,170 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Tokyo → Hiroshima | Hikari + Sakura | 4h 30min | ¥19,760 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Tokyo → Sendai | Hayabusa | 1h 30min | ¥11,410 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Tokyo → Kanazawa | Kagayaki | 2h 30min | ¥14,380 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Tokyo → Shin-Hakodate | Hayabusa | 4h | ¥23,430 | Covered by JR Pass |
| Hakata → Kagoshima-Chuo | Sakura/Tsubame | 1h 20min | ¥10,640 | Covered by JR Pass |
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.
Xirosima vokzali
Tinchlik yodgorlik bog'i va Miyajimaga kirish nuqtasi. Barcha Sanyo Shinkansen poyezdlari shu yerda to'xtaydi.
Hakata vokzali
Fukuokaning asosiy vokzali. Sanyo Shinkansenning oxirgi bekati va Kyushu Shinkansenning boshlang'ich nuqtasi.
Sendai vokzali
Tohoku mintaqasidagi eng yirik shahar. Hayabusa va Yamabiko poyezdlari uchun asosiy bekat.
Kanazawa vokzali
Yog'och baraban darvozali go'zal zamonaviy vokzal. Hokuriku Shinkansenning oxirgi bekati.
Nagoya vokzali
Maydoni bo'yicha Yaponiyadagi eng yirik vokzal binosi. Asosiy Tokaido Shinkansen markazi.
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.
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.