The 3 Trains of the Tokaido Shinkansen

  • Published on : 26/06/2016
  • by : Japan Experience
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Tokaido Shinkansen: the most popular shinkansen in Japan 

The bullet train going from Tokyo to Osaka has three different lines. What's the difference? Read more to find out. Japan Rail Pass - available in 7-, 14-, and 21-day passes!

The Kodama Shinkansen

This train is the slowest of the three Tokaido shinkansen. It stops at every station on the line, including a few famous hot springs!

The Kodama takes 4 hours to travel from the first station, Tokyo Station, to the last, Shin-Osaka Station.

You can use this train with a Japan Rail Pass.

Kodama Shinkansen

Kodama Shinkansen

©Tore-F, unsplash

The Nozomi Shinkansen

The Nozomi Shinkansen is the fastest train, going from one end to the other in 2 hours and 40 minutes. It makes the least amount of stops, only stopping in Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka. Unfortunately, you cannot use this train with a Japan Rail Pass. The good news is, there's not much of a difference between the Nozomi and the Hikari!

Luggages along the Tokaido Line

Starting from May 2020, a seat reservation near the luggage area will be required in the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu lines if the sum of the dimensions of your luggage exceeds 160 cm.

Shinkansen

Shinkansen

©Manuel Cosentino, unsplash

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