How to use the Tokaido Shinkansen | japan-guide.com

Learn more about the Tokaido Shinkansen:
www.japan-guid...
Update:
- the food cart service on board of the Tokaido Shinkansen was discontinued in autumn 2023.
Connecting the major cities of Tokyo and Osaka, the Tokaido Shinkansen is the busiest bullet train line in Japan. It opened in 1964 as the first bullet train line in Japan and also as the world’s first high speed railway line. Since then, it has come to represent modern Japan and signify qualities like speed, efficiency and reliability.
Navigating the process from purchasing tickets to riding on the bullet train can be overwhelming for some people, especially with all the different options available. In this video, we have broken down the process into simpler steps, and hopefully this will make it easier to understand how to take the Tokaido Shinkansen.
- Video Credits -
Host and Narrator: Raina Ong
Videographer: Charles Sabas
Producers: Raina Ong, Stefan Schauwecker & Export Japan

[@japanguide]

*NOTE: Some Hikari trains stop every two hours at Toyohashi Station .

[@mrcheesefigs5847]

That's basically a train on the highway.

[@realcartoongirl]

thanks

[@uedaeiichi6347]

Lp

[@brayand8022]

You missed the fact that some tokaido Shinkansen trains terminate at stations before Shin-Osaka!

[@joshchan0721]

the first Hikari service starting from shin Yokohama head directly to Nagoya non stop

[@mabotofu___]

リスニング鍛えれる

[@NAMENO-c3l]

標準軌な人 アピってんな〜

[@佐藤-x8x]

デカタ二 何もせんやつよりマシやで

[@user-s45c]

@@NAMENO-c3l 実際こうやって英語聞き流すだけでも結構リスニングに役立つよ この動画の英語凄い聞き取りやすいからセンターのリスニング使う人にも良さげ

[@hironorikashiwabara6129]

英語学習中の日本人ですが、ここまで丁寧で分かりやすい動画を初めて見ました。アップ主さんに感謝です。ありがとうございます。

[@SyaoranLiClow]

I love every single Shinkansen I've taken so far and will keep doing it next time in Japan.

[@amanohashidate3298]

For everyone interested in the location of the thumbnail: It's the terrace of a nice Italian restaurant just at the south exit of Yurakucho station (Itoica building). You can enjoy great food while watching tons of trains passing through the heart of Tokyo :)

[@user-s45c]

めっちゃ聞き取りやすい英語だから、リスニング鍛えがてら見てます笑

[@eclipse4995]

ここまで丁寧に乗り方を解説している動画は初めて見ました！ 日本語でもこれだけ詳しいのはそうないと思います！Wonderful video! (supplement) I often take the Shinkansen, and there are two things I'm careful about. 1. Don't eat things that have a strong smell It's basically no problem with what's on sale at the train station or in the car. 2. Don't speak LOUDLY It's often quiet in the car, but I think conversation is not problem. It's boring not to talk about anything on your trip. Some use machine translation. I think there's something grammatically wrong with this, sorry.

[@HS-PGX]

eclipse499 here’s something for Americans: DO NOT USE YOUR PHONE ON THE TRAIN. NOBODY ELSE IS DOING IT, GO TO THE TRAIN DOORS TO USE YOUR PHONE IF NECESSARY.

[@savejeff15]

I was just in Japan 2 weeks ago and I was amazed at the effectiveness, quality and cleanliness of all public transport. It somewhat changed my view of public transport Keep up the great content Japan-Guide and stay healthy through the current crisis!

[@ashakydd1]

The difference between Japan public transit systems and anywhere else I have traveled is unreal. The quality, options, and just how efficient it all is is mind blowing.

[@mikamikaph.d2428]

I think Shinkansen is wold's best ultimate No.1 bullet train. Not only high speed but safety and convenient!

[@KeithTKO]

Shinkansen goes through lots of tunnels and it’s not often you get to witness the full glory of Mt.Fuji but when you do you’re in for a treat.

[@HS-PGX]

As somebody who’s been to Japan 14 times I love the Shinkansen... so comfortable and reliable!

[@oscar3897]

You are very lucky, I hope someday at least to be there once

[@carloagapito8964]

sanaol 14 times

[@HS-PGX]

@@carloagapito8964 I don’t speak whatever language you’re speaking in, can you please speak English, German or Japanese?

[@ZxSpectrumplus]

What an excellent video! Thank you.

[@japanguide]

Thank you for the nice comment!

[@misskristinn]

AMAZINGGGGG video! Thank for the clear and concise information. I was so overwhelmed with research and you have answered every question of mine. Much appreciated from Los Angeles!

[@japanguide]

Thank you for the nice comment! We're glad the video answered all your questions!

[@airzulu2733]

If your heading towards let's say Hiroshima from Tokyo make sure you sit on the right hand side . And if your lucky enough on a good day see mount Fuji for a photo or DVD shoot. But a great experience and well worth the trip

[@lucianaborinato2993]

Once again, a very useful and informative video! Arigatou gozaimasu. 🌸🌸🌸

[@exs1803]

Very useful guide to the Shnkansen. Thank you.

[@japanguide]

Happy to hear that you enjoyed the video!

[@Cookie2k]

Only been to Tokyo once...must go back soon!

[@kaikpdy9632]

thanks a lot, i am looking forward to visit japan many years later

[@Mark_Dyer1]

This is a wonderful post: and merits watching far more often than once!

[@maninblack9271]

I grew up watching Doraemon and seeing this shows how Shopisticated Japan is. Greetings from south pacific.

[@edovandeest2137]

Still nice to see Raina Ong! Japan Guide, thanks again for all your information

[@phyromoum7671]

This video guide is very informative. Thanks for always making great video.

[@rossspokes5119]

That is a fantastic video, explained vey well

[@japanguide]

Thank you very much!

[@rossspokes3646]

@@japanguide keep up the good work, we will be there on October 24th until November 8th this year.

[@frankodea3403]

Useful information as I will like to take that train when I'm in Japan

[@サンライズ有明]

This video is very easy for us to understand.

[@sathya-enjoy_lifetothefullest]

Amazing video with complete details.. I have subscribed to the channel ❤thanks

[@japanguide]

Thank you so much! Welcome to the channel!

[@Bluemonkey123]

very detailed instruction!! Thumbs up

[@SatishKumar41]

Thank you for sharing this really useful video about Tokaido Shinkansen. I am not in Japan yet but this video will reduce the confusions about this train journey even if I am not fully confident and that's completely my thing of forgetting few things. Arigato Gozaimasu

[@aphraelk6214]

Very useful, thanks

[@hirokunkk]

確かにグリーン車は自由席特急券にグリーン加算と覚えたら早いですね

[@madamlakwatsera5674]

Thanks

[@静止型補助電源装置]

NOTE : 2:10 , Toyohashi : Some HIKARI trains stop Every 2 hours. ひかり号は豊橋にも止まります。 Atami : Most HIKARI trains pass through ( only 3 trains/Day ). 逆に熱海は ほとんどが通過です。 ==== Tokaido Shinkansen Train Stops ==== N , H , K - Tokyo 東京 N , H , K - Shinagawa 品川 N , H , K - Shin-Yokohama 新横浜 --- , H 2 , K - Odawara 小田原 --- , H x , K - Atami 熱海 --- , H 2 , K - Mishima 三島 --- , ----- , K - Shin-Fuji 新富士 --- , H1 , K - Shizuoka 静岡 --- , ----- , K - Kakegawa 掛川 --- , H1 , K - Hamamatsu 浜松 --- , H 2 , K - Toyohashi 豊橋 --- , ----- , K - Mikawa-Anjo 三河安城 N , H , K - Nagoya 名古屋 --- , H1 , K - Gifu-Hashima 岐阜羽島 --- , H1 , K - Maibara 米原 N , H , K - Kyoto 京都 N , H , K - Shin-Osaka 新大阪 ================================ ● --- = never stop 絶対に止まらない ●Ｎ = NOZOMI のぞみ号 Some trains only run during the busy season. Be careful ! 時期や状況によって運休する便が多いので乗車する場合は注意！ ●Ｈ = HIKARI ひかり号 H : ALL Trains Stop ( = 2 trains/per hour ) H1 : Stop 1 train/per hour、H2 : Stop every 2 hours、Hx : Only 3 trains/per day 豊橋にも2時間に1本が当駅に選択停車する他、始発の東京ゆき2本と最終の名古屋ゆき2本も停車 熱海はトンネルに挟まれ唯一 待避線が無いダイヤ作成のボトルネック。在来線でも使えってか？ ●Ｋ = KODAMA こだま号 2 trains/per hour At Tokyo Station , but only 1 train/per hour goes from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka. another 1 train/per hour Terminates in Nagoya ( or a shorter distance ). 半数は「名古屋」「三島」などの途中駅 止まり。新大阪まで行けるのは毎時1本のみ。 なお ほとんどの こだま号は ひかり号に追い越される。 日本には「大声で喋らない」「携帯電話はマナーモードにする」という乗車マナーが があります。 携帯電話を使うときは、デッキに行きましょう。 In Japan , There are etiquette such as "Do not talk LOUDLY" and "Set mobile-phone to silent mode" on trains. If you wanna talk on your mobile-phone, you should go to the end sections near the door ( vestibule ). ところで、豊橋って影薄かったんか......。

[@fluffdepuff1921]

Many thanks for this helpful and valuable information.

[@agigips2799]

Best video in youtube about shinkansen.. thanks!!! Much appreciated!!!!

[@angus9610]

I like videos like this👍 Thank you for nice video‼

[@flight_toho]

After COVID-19, please come to Japan!

[@Shanaoh]

There is an error in the train category. Toyohashi is my Father’s home town and I’m pretty sure that Hikari stops at Toyohashi cause I visit my grandparents every year via Shinkansen.

[@japanguide]

Apologies for the mistake, some Hikari trains indeed stop every two hours at Toyohashi Station. Thank you for spotting it and commenting about it.

[@boeingkp2]

Yes that right Hikari stop at Toyohashi. Most of the time people think Hikari don’t stop there

[@yuuya_not_official]

コロナ終わったらまた来てね！

[@김정민-b6c1o]

Expensive, but the quality tells everything.

[@kittick4693]

Love all of your video Thank You from Thailand

[@william719]

Great video. Thanks for the info!

[@KeithTKO]

It’s so rare to see Mt.Fuji due to whether. I had few pleasures and what a sight it was.

[@jimkenny4154]

Great advice as usual.

[@vhinsagcal207]

Konnichiwa.thank u for.guiding a ride of shinkasnsen bullet train Godbless u arigato gozaimasu! From the philippines sir vhin 🇵🇭🇵🇭🙏🙏🙏👍👍👏👏👏👏👏🙂🙂🙂

[@sergey13nikitenko60]

very useful, domo arigato!

[@kanifesu]

nice movie😊👍✨

[@kaisermuto]

Every Shinkansen rail have earth quake sensor. The first earth quake information "P wave" is sent from deep pacific ocean and the 2nd S wave means real earth quake. So when 2011 earth quake occurred all Shinkansen stopped safely and automatically and they stood on the rail road proudly.

[@jimmyboesono4078]

nice video, thanks

[@paridhijha1066]

Thank you so much 😊

[@mobiusclean6440]

I wish this video was around three years ago when i took the Shinkasen to Niigata : ( ; )

[@HS-PGX]

Robert Hall that’s the joetsu Shinkansen... operated by a different company.

[@mobiusclean6440]

@@HS-PGX .Thanks mate. I wasn't aware that the Joetsu Shinkansen was operated by a different company.😊

[@lydiaking9428]

Very nice voice! I love it.

[@marianaortizvazquez3850]

Hello people! I really like your videos since one of my dreams is to go to Japan and spent at least a month there. Can i add Spanish subtitles to it? Thanks!

[@ガム好きのらいくん]

日本は外国人でも使いやすいような機械を使っていることが凄い。

[@eq-]

If you want to get ticket more cheaper,yo u can use "金券ショップ".(Its exist near the Shinkansen station.) But they may have only reserved-seat voucher ,and you need to exchange from voucher to ticket in ticket machine or ticket counter(free)

[@RodenVillegas]

Pretty expensive. But totally worth it, both for the time and experience. 397km from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo Station in just 2 hours and 23 minutes.

[@Maeda_Toshiie]

Hence JR pass for tourists.

[@RodenVillegas]

JR Pass does not include the Nozomi line. The fastest of the 3 shinkansen.

[@Maeda_Toshiie]

@@RodenVillegas True, but unless you are on a tight schedule, Hikari works well enough.

[@sugizakigateway]

I like shinkansen.

[@oscar3897]

Hope one day I can have the opportunity to be there, I can't die without be at least one time in that train, for now this is the only way :/

[@andreluismatias]

Great content, as always.

[@Sunnyver92]

So, there's no additional fee if i have a JR Pass for reserving a seat due to having an oversized luggage?

[@japanguide]

Yes, there is. JR pass do not cover the fee for oversized luggage. But note that very few people will carry suitcases that are large enough to qualify as oversized.

[@Sunnyver92]

@@japanguide Thanks for the reply, appreciate it!

[@Vostoks]

Yes, that’s correct. There is no fee with or without JR Pass for oversized area. The Japan Guide gave you wrong information. You just have to make sure when travelling with “checked luggage” as on an airplane, you sit in a reserved car in the last row. Otherwise, there is a FINE of 1000 yen and the conductor will ask you to move.

[@ShieldFagundes-dy7mk]

❤❤

[@morizuki0928]

1:55 Toyohashi....

[@japanguide]

Sorry for the mistake, we have added a note saying that some Hikari trains stop every two hours at Toyohashi Station. Thank you for noticing!

[@jwrappuhn71]

Great vid.

[@sacksengthavy3113]

thank you. Should of watched before I went from Osaka to Hiroshima.

[@hoiko7565]

If there are passengers at the edge seat of a car and you need to put there your oversized baggages, do not forget to make sure them to put yours at the behind of the seat . Because of some of passengers feel that not so comfortable and more strictly speaking, the space has been bought by the passenger who sit at the edge seat of a car. I had been a trouble about that.

[@frankicool4]

Do you need to choose the hour of the departure or you just have to chose the date ?

[@Tom-nd1fs]

Do Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama trains all use the same track? Then how can the faster train go past the slower trains?

[@japanguide]

Yes, they use the same track. Trains pass each other at stations where there are multiple platforms.

[@enyoh321]

아시아의 리더. 갓본🇯🇵👍

[@christ2551]

I am a tourist from the USA and I purchased the JR Pass Green Car. Which website do I use to book and/or reserve seats on the Hikari Shinkansen? Please help ! Thank you very much in advance.

[@viciousoz4188]

I need some clarification. If you have the JR Pass, you don't have to do anything else but use it at the ticket gate? In other words, the JR Pass itself works as the base fare and limited express fee? So, the only time you'd go to a ticket counter/machine with a JR Pass is to make a seat reservation?

[@Karim-en9on]

Very nice

[@TemperedStorm]

I appreciate this video very much. I'd also be interested in a video about the overnight sleeper car trains available. Are there others besides the Sunrise Izumo Express?

[@japanguide]

Unfortunately, the Sunrize Izumo/Seto is the last surviving night train in Japan.

[@TemperedStorm]

@@japanguide That's so sad. I was hoping it to be a more popular option. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

[@superchatoalien4905]

JR used to have a large variety of sleeper trains but sadly they now have nothing other than Sunrise. Also They used to run Shinkansen with dining cars.

[@danielyusukeshimizu8802]

I rode Hikari and Kodama like a million times (mostly Hikari) but never once a Nozomi. (浜松民)

[@cac2244]

I took the Shinkasen last summer, it was really fun, but man was it stressful to get there...

[@Sunnyver92]

Can i use the JR National Pass all around Osaka(Kyoto, Nara, USJ, etc)? then to Hakone, to Kamakura, then to Tokyo?

[@japanguide]

Not sure about the "etc.", but all other places can be reached by JR and the Japan Rail Pass. As for Hakone, you can get as far as Odawara or Mishima at the entrance to Hakone, but from there and within Hakone, the Japan Rail Pass cannot be used. And note that regular tickets will likely come cheaper than a rail pass if you make only a one-way trip between Osaka and Tokyo.

[@kalet196]

Is the fee for the over-sized baggage something new? I went past September and was able to reserve seats in the last row without having to pay any additional fee for the baggage.

[@japanguide]

The new rule regarding oversized baggage will come into effect on May 20, 2020.

[@HayakitaP]

日本人にも分かりやすい解説 Hey, several HIKARI express stop Toyohashi station!

[@hello-xl3uc]

黒坂彩乃 静岡には全てのひかりが止まりますよね

[@katsuyam.892]

東京都民 静岡通過のひかりもあります 豊橋停車のひかりは基本的に静岡を通過します

[@hello-xl3uc]

そうやった…豊橋止まりのひかりは名古屋からのぞみ状態でしたね

[@NANICU]

What if all seats for oversized luggage are full? Wait for the next train? Also, are luggage reservations free?

[@japanguide]

If seats for oversized luggage are full, you will have to make reservations for a different train. But note that 160cm translates to a huge suitcase, and most people do not bring luggage that large. As for the cost: reservations for a seat with oversized luggage are simply just the same as regular seat reservations (except that they are only possible for the last row of seats). Seat reservations usually cost around 500 yen (can be around 300-1200 yen depending on the day of travel, train and journey). Japan Rail Pass holders can make seat reservations at no additional cost. Note that the new luggage rule will not come into effect until May 20, 2020.

[@pham3383]

Been on TGV from Paris to Bordeaux,no way as effective as shinkansen but 18 euro is cheap

[@75ur15]

If I may ask a bit of a technical question. If i buy shinkansen tickets with smart ex, it says I can add an "ic card" to tap to use instead of paper tickets. Do you by chance know if it is possible to use a "welcome suica" card for that purpose?

[@mainforsubsonly]

Should I book 1 day before for the reserve seat？Thank you

[@marcuslew523]

Good day. For Kodama shinkansen how are the green car, reserved ordinary and non reserved seats positioned? Thank You 😊

[@japanguide]

The patterns of reserved and non-reserved cars differs between trains, but the general pattern is explained here: www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018_tokaido.html

[@marcuslew523]

Thank You:)

[@lbguy888]

Great video! How long does the train stop at each station?

[@marlon94124]

I hope the all Shinkansens in Japan have non smoking cars because I rode in one back in November 2015 from Kyoto to Atami, and came down sick.

[@japanguide]

All shinkansen cars are now non-smoking. Trains between Tokyo and Hakata (all between Tokyo and Osaka, and many betweem Osaka and Hakata) have some well ventilated smoking booths on board, so unless you sit close to a smoker returning from his smoking session, the ride will be completely smoke-free.

[@mamamoosgaydisciple250]

I subscribed to this channel to be ready with my trip to Japan this April but guess what? TRAVEL BAN! Hekkin Corona Virus 🦠:((

[@kostaskryarov4628]

I feel your pain, I also canceled my trip to Japan this year from March 31 to April 14 =(

[@mamamoosgaydisciple250]

They already refunded us our ticket :((

[@tarzan2441]

SAME IM PISSED

[@YurijVolkov]

For me, it's still stressful to think about putting two tickets to get through gate. I still think it's inconvenient. I like the option of buying it online and passing with IC card. Will try next time. Thanks for the video!

[@japanguide]

Let us know how it went!

[@lockonstrato]

Can an IC card be used with a ticket counter? I don't like downloading apps I'll only use once or twice

[@jmsalgorithms]

There's a recent change regarding luggage reservations...

[@ksbma]

Hello, if I purchase ordinary reserved seating shinkansen tickets on the SmartEX app and I use the QR code to enter the gate machine, will there still be a small paper that comes out of the gate machine?

[@pristaayumegasari3378]

where i can see the update schedule of shinkansen?

[@lzalab2286]

If I purchase tickets online do I need to buy IC cards , then how do I transfer the ticket into the card ?

[@tanletran7270]

How do you reserved the seat while using the JR pass

[@flyingskydonkey]

Do u mean JR Pass cannot be used for Nozomi to travel from tokyo to osaka?

[@japanguide]

Yes, indeed. But you can use it on Hikari and Kodama trains.

[@flyingskydonkey]

@@japanguide does it mean i can use JR pass travel Narita express from Narita airport to Tokyo station, then use Hikari from Tokyo to Osaka?

[@jpltvchannel]

I never visit in japan .. i hope someday i will

[@amandaquinlivan5443]

You forgot to mention that JR Pass holders need to show their passes and tickets to get through the gates.

[@japanguide]

We didn't include it because starting in June rail pass holders will be able to use the automated gates.

[@ブロッコリー-p8c]

0:18〜中学生向け

[@anands06]

😊

[@_factoza-bangla]

Can I use TOKAIDO SHINKANSEN with a jr pass?

[@yoon9521]

I'm planning to visit Tokyo (include Enoshima, Kanagawa, Yokohama) then to Hakone, after that to Kyoto and finally Osaka. Should I get a JR pass or not?

[@cv5420]

Yoon Hi! You can take other local/express trains from Tokyo to Enoshima & Yokohama. To Hakone, you can take a bus (to Lake Ashi area) or train (Hakone-Yumoto station) from Shinjuku station. Depends how much you want to spend and how quickly you want to get there. You could fly domestically from Tokyo to Osaka and take local train/bus from Osaka to Kyoto to save money. I always get JR pass for this trip though because I like taking the Shinkansen. And it’s a direct route from Tokyo to Kyoto. If making more than 3 trips on Shinkansen, definitely get JR pass. Good luck!

[@yoon9521]

@@cv5420 Hello, thank you for the information! One more question, what type of transportation should I get from Hakone to Kyoto?

[@realramas]

Hikari is also a bullet train or not?

[@icemochi5350]

Hi, sorry but may I ask a few things? I'm a little confused on the before boarding topic where reserved seating fares are separated from basic fares. If I am using an IC card as basic fare and have a reserved seat fare ticket bought from the machine, do I tap the card and insert the ticket together? From the video of online reservation, how does the machine know you have paid extra for reserved seating just by tapping the IC card?

[@japanguide]

You cannot use an IC card in combination with a reserved seat fare ticket on the shinkansen! The only way to use an IC card on the Tokaido Shinkansen at the moment is to use the Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service (or smartEX app): smart-ex.jp/en/ In that case, you will pay the entire shinkansen fare (incl. base fare and supplement) with a credit card and use a registered IC card to tap through the ticket gates.

[@icemochi5350]

@@japanguide Thank you so much for your kind assistance!

[@shantanujain6376]

What is the cost of green car and reserved car please