The Tokaido Shinkansen is a high-speed bullet train line operated by JR Central between Tokyo Station and Shin-Osaka Station. From Shin-Osaka, this is the fastest and most comfortable rail route to Kyoto, Nagoya, Shin-Yokohama and Tokyo.
The Kodama bound for Tokyo
Traveling east from Shin-Osaka Station, you can reach Kyoto in about 13 to 15 minutes, Nagoya in about 47 to 50 minutes by Nozomi, and Tokyo in as little as about 2 hours and 21 minutes by the fastest Nozomi services. Journey times vary by service. West of Shin-Osaka, through travel continues onto the Sanyo Shinkansen line, which goes to Kobe, Himeji, Hiroshima and as far as Hakata in Kyushu.
This route can be very economical if you have a Japan Rail Pass and use the Hikari or Kodama services covered by the pass. The pass alone does not cover the Nozomi on the Tokaido line or the Mizuho on the Sanyo line, but pass holders can use those trains if they buy the separate NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket before boarding.
Train Services
There are three types of train on the Tokaido Shinkansen line: the Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama.
The Nozomi is the most frequent and the fastest train, traveling between Shin-Osaka and Tokyo in as little as about 2 hours and 21 minutes, with many services closer to 2 hours and 23 to 30 minutes.
The Hikari is the main choice for Japan Rail Pass holders who are not buying the Nozomi add-on, and takes roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes to just over 3 hours to cover the distance, depending on the departure.
The Kodama stops at every station on the way and so takes about four hours. During designated peak periods, Nozomi trains are all reserved seating, so travelers should reserve ahead rather than count on a non-reserved Nozomi seat.
Platform signs alternately give information in Japanese and English
Key Destinations
Shin-Osaka Station
If you are traveling by shinkansen, Shin-Osaka Station is your gateway for the Osaka metropolitan area. This is the common terminus for two shinkansen lines, the Tokaido from Tokyo in the east, and the Sanyo from Fukuoka in the west. At Shin-Osaka Station passengers can connect with the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, which is the main line running north to south through the Osaka Metro network. They can also connect with regular JR lines and several Limited Express services. The Special Rapid train on the JR Kyoto Line also provides quick and easy access from here to both Osaka Station and Kyoto Station.
The Nozomi entering Shin-Osaka Station
Kyoto Station
Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital for over a millennium and is still one of its best preserved cities, with thousands of shrines, temples, palaces and gardens. Among these, the Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and the bamboo forest of Arashiyama are major tourist attractions. Kyoto is also famous for its fine food and riverside dining, as well as its more modern architecture such as Kyoto Tower, and the Kyoto Station building. As the cultural and spiritual center of the country, it is safe to say that no trip to Japan is complete without a visit to Kyoto.
Adult one-way ordinary-car non-reserved fare from Shin-Osaka: 1,450 yen
Nagoya Station
Nagoya is a major port city in central Honshu. Popular tourist attractions include Nagoya Castle, Hommaru Palace, the Tokugawa Art Museum and Tokugawa Garden, and Osu Kannon Temple and the Osu shopping district. Read our Nagoya Station guide.
Adult one-way ordinary-car non-reserved fare from Shin-Osaka: 5,940 yen
Shin-Yokohama Station
Yokohama is a major port city south of Tokyo. Its most famous attractions include Sankei-en Garden, the waterfront Minato Mirai district, Landmark Tower and a Chinatown district with hundreds of Chinese restaurants.
Adult one-way ordinary-car non-reserved fare from Shin-Osaka: 13,540 yen
Tokyo Station
Tokyo is Japan’s capital city and most populous metropolis with endless opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, dining and entertainment. Popular districts include the historic area of Asakusa, Harajuku for its pop culture and fashion boutiques, and Roppongi and Shibuya for neon-lit nightlife.
Adult one-way ordinary-car non-reserved fare from Shin-Osaka: 13,870 yen
The Nozomi bound for Tokyo
Maps & Timetables
View detailed route maps for both the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines.
You can check current Tokaido Shinkansen timetables on the JR Central website, and use the JR West Route Maps and Timetables page to find train times and connections in western Japan.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 28-Jul-2026.
