Shinkansen Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Japan's Superfast Bullet Trains

[@benrainbird7971]

So glad to see Tokyo Cheapo back. It made such a difference to our first trip in 2018 and our 2nd trip in 2019. I look forward to seeing more content so we can plan trip number 3.

[@alanbassig5761]

Whoa after 2 long years. Welcome back! Your channel really helped me and my family to go around Japan a few years back, and by not spending too much. Expecting some new stuff 👍🏻👍🏻

[@teradaloo]

Cheapo's back! Love this channel. It was my main guide for my 2018 Japan trip and all their recs were on point

[@carluy6129]

I missed you guys!

[@rons3634]

Nice and easy to follow video. I'm not much for train travel, but the Shinkansen rides I've taken have been awesome.

[@skm3613]

This video will be very useful for the first time visitors. We have recently been to Japan. I wish we could have seen it before. Arigato

[@a5tro25]

OMG they are back!

[@tokyocheapo]

We are! 😀 Lots more videos coming too!

[@AmbientWalking]

Yes! Another amazing and beautiful trip! Love this a lot. Please make more!

[@tokyocheapo]

Thanks for watching! More videos are on the way.

[@paulccrimmins]

Aloha 🤙from Honolulu! Wow! It's been awhile since you've posted a video. Welcome back!

[@tokyocheapo]

Thank you! We've got plenty more videos coming 😊

[@paulccrimmins]

@@tokyocheapo Thanks for the great video! Hope everyone is well 🙏. We all really missed you guys ❤️

[@catalinacurio]

Thank you so much! I’m visiting Japan unexpectedly in August. If I was travelling alone I’d just chill and travel around but there’s my niece and nephew so I need to consider everything carefully. 😊

[@colin1493]

A great service but lots of rules and stuff, JR pass needs to be bought online, then you need to faff about with reservations and worry about luggage situation. Also some restrictions on choice of train. Individual journey tickets can be bought at stations when in Japan rather than online. I got great help in Sapporo for journey to Kyoto. Over 900 miles, on 4 trains, each arrive / departure within 1 minute of schedule. 900 miles in 9 hours bang on time, excellent.

[@SyaoranLiClow]

This last trip, from October 22th to November 19th, I took more than 20 Shinkansen. Some long trips and some short ones. Like going from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka, or going from Shin-Yokohama to Shigagawa. Banzai Japan Rail Pass

[@tokyocheapo]

Sounds like you made good use of the shinkansen!

[@H.pylori]

Short and to the point. Great information. I see from the comments that your channel has just returned. Thanks for the help.

[@tokyocheapo]

Thanks for watching! Glad it helped 😊

[@shaunpierce4174]

Perfect timing. Today I booked flights to Tokyo (arriving at the end of April 2023) and was wondering how to go about using the Shinkansen. It's too early for me to devise an itinerary yet but I'd like to visit Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. I will be there for 3 weeks, just wondering if maybe I might try to do too much too quickly and not enjoy it as much. But I'm so damn excited to finally be visiting Japan, I've just started to learn a little of the language.

[@tokyocheapo]

Those cities sound perfect to visit for a three-week itinerary and are reasonably close to each other. Will it be your first time?

[@TheRyliks]

Holy sh1t! Not too sound sorta creepy. But this (almost) is exactly what I booked yesterday and not am planing to do.. Also end of April to mid may. Plus. I just got to this video to inform myself ABT the shinkansen. I wish you an awesome trip mate!! =)

[@shaunpierce4174]

@@tokyocheapo yes, my first ever visit to Japan

[@shaunpierce4174]

@@TheRyliks how spooky is that? You never know, we might even bump into each other.

[@klaudiusz6233]

Your videos are really so helpful! Right now I'm booking a two week trip to Osaka and Tokyo in March, and I am totally soaking up all your vids!

[@tokyocheapo]

We're glad they're helpful! Hope you have heaps of fun on your trip!

[@HarleyPanda]

If your suitcase is 160cm exactly, would you need to make a reservation for this or not? And are you allowed to bring two suitcases? I will be bringing 1 big one and 1 much smaller one which I use as carry on for my flight. I didn't realise they had new rules so glad I watched this video! My partner and me will be travelling to Japan beginning of May (after Golden Week), spending 1 week in Tokyo and then travelling down to Osaka to travel around there and other cities for 1 week and a half before going back up to Tokyo to fly back. I'm unsure if we should book our train tickets online somehow first or book them on the day at the station.

[@tokyocheapo]

A 160cm suitcase should be fine without a reservation 😊 You can bring up to two suitcases per person. If you buy your JR Pass online at this site: japanrailpass.net/ you can make seat reservations online or grabbing tickets at the station is also doable.

[@Kapurikon_No_Shura]

Thank you so much for this video. I will go to Japan in two weeks and will come to Osaka first before going to other cities (Kyoto, Nara, Tashirojima, Tokyo and then retake the plane in Osaka) and your videos are very clear and helping a lots, I am so grateful for all of those useful information provided ❤

[@jameskawano]

I bought a single trip Shinkansen ticket at the jr office but was surprised that I had to buy another ticket (quite expensive) to get through the ticket area. I asked (in English) what it the second ticket for but language barrier for the best of me. Anyone know what it’s for? This will another factor to consider whether to purchase a jr pass or not.

[@morgangraham2549]

Thank you for your Video! I was stressing about getting my Snowboard bag to Hakuba 😅

[@ChrisKayeHavingFun]

A very useful video - thank you. I have a question. If we are in Osaka for 5 days and want to travel via Shinkansen on the 6th day when should we buy the tickets? Can we get them on the day or should we buy in advance? Thank you.

[@philipneugirg4020]

Really enjoyed your video :) One question to the reservation. Can I only reserve seats, as soon as I picked up my physical ticket in Japan? Or can I already reserve seats online from home at the moment I just ordered the JR pass, but haven‘t collected it.

[@keegan2crow]

God this is so helpful I’m hoping from Tokyo to Ube then to Kochi. I’m currently researching everything right now

[@solrun9524]

I wish you would talk about the different types of shinkansen, would be interesting to hear+ you can’t use the nozomi and mizuho shinkansen with jr pass. otherwise thanks for the video :)

[@tokyocheapo]

That's a great point - you'll need to use the slightly slower Hikari or Kodama shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka and the Sakura shinkansen from Osaka to Kyushu with the JR Pass. Thanks for bringing this up and thanks for watching!

[@mrmarzo]

Personally, the JR Pass is very useful within Tokyo because there’s several JR stations. However, people will indeed have a harder time once they go to small towns outside some of the major cities.

[@galaxyfarrahway]

welcome back!

[@MRCLT-qi7tg]

This is great. Thank you. Just to clarify, can I make a luggage reservation if booking online? I’d like to make all my rail bookings etc in advance and don’t want to go into a station just to book luggage. Cheers

[@cerka27]

Great video. Thanks ❤

[@OmnipresentOneness]

Could you please do an updated video on this once the new JR pass price increases are implemented?

[@tokyocheapo]

Thanks for the suggestion! That's on our list to do.

[@rainerperkons]

quick question on train from tokyo to kyoto and sitting on the right hand side. is the direction of travel indicated by the arrows on the jr east online seatmaps?

[@dwalker6868]

Thank you for your video

[@Multicrafts1]

Does Shinkansen have something about the “personal item” such as backpack or the backpack + luggage must be under the 160 cm? Or the backpack is excempt too?

[@milliosmiles5160]

Very good video.

[@ak7570]

This would have been so helpful to see before my trip to Japan! I found working out the CBA of the JR pass confusing. Great video!

[@ladyinpink2241]

Can you reserve single tickets online? If not, how early can you buy the train tickets at the kiosk?

[@BrunaMBastos]

Hey! Great video! If I get a JR and decide to use the Green sits, would be possible to just pay the difference?

[@tokyocheapo]

You should be able to pay for a Green car seat reservation at a JR Ticket Office. Depending on how far you travel though, It might be more cost effective just to get the Green car JR pass

[@deletedwaffles]

Is

[@CarolinaHantke]

Im so lost with the reservation. I want to buy only single tickets as I am doing Tokyo - Kyoto. Then Kyoto - Osaka, and from there a daytrip to Nara. Nothing else. But I will be with my suitcases so I want to reserve but I dont want the pass . But I also dont want to buy it the same day I travel to avoid not getting a seat :( but Im lost on where to buy it. Everything I find is in japanese.

[@shakilkhoja]

Hi, is the Jr pass activation starts when you receive or the first time you use the card? I am planning to receive few days before my first trip.

[@tokyocheapo]

You can set the activation date so even if you receive it a few days early, it won't start until the date you choose 😊

[@kirsch-pf6jx]

So, it’s better for me to buy single tickets to Osaka and back to Tokyo. I’m only staying in Osaka for 3 days and then plan to go back to Tokyo. Can I always get a seat in the Shinkansen? Would it be a problem to buy the ticket on the day I want to take the train or is it better to buy it at least 7 days beforehand? Idk how to train system works and how many trains leave

[@WinnieLuangvaranan]

Wow pls make malev train viedo pls

[@copf98]

Love your video on Shinkansen guide, I have been trying to decide if I should by one. You indicate a 14 day pass will cost 47250 Yen but when I try to buy one it cost 80000 yen. Could you please clarify difference for me. Could it have almost doubled in past year? thanks

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! Glad you found the video useful 😊 Yes that's right actually. Since October 2023, the price of the JR Pass has been increased by almost 70%. We made a video covering whether the JR Pass is still worth it with the new prices: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoDThnSVoLB5as0 The video mostly covers the 7-day pass but the general idea is, unless you're doing a lot of long, inter-city travel, it's more cost-effective to buy individual shinkansen tickets.

[@AaronGiuseffi]

Hey. I'm landing in Japan on April 16th, bought my 7-day JR Pass through Klook, and plan to pick up my pass at the Haneda airport. I set the activation date for April 17th. Is that fine? Or does it activate when I pick it up? Or does it activate the first time I use it? THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP; LOVE THE VIDEOS!

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! That’ll be completely fine to pick it up the day before. It will still activate on the activation date you chose - April 17th. Have a great trip!

[@quiet-kun1032]

can I use the card to pay on more then one person ?

[@efya2777]

Thanks for the useful videos, question pls: would it be possible to book seats without JR pass, for nozomi trains for example? to buy it somewhere online and reserve a seat?

[@tokyocheapo]

Glad it was useful for you! You can book tickets for the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu shinkansen lines on this website: smart-ex.jp/en/lp/app/

[@efya2777]

@@tokyocheapo thanks a lot!

[@unboundrebel6963]

JR pass is not for ALL Shinkansen trains. The express train ( the fastest trains) line Nozomi is not included. The Hikari for instance is. Osaka to Tokyo on Nozomi is 2,5 hours. On the Hikari its 3 hours. So NOT ALL TRAINS!!!!!!!

[@MeTheCoolDude]

Shinkansen Nozomi and Mizuho bullet trains (reserved and non-reserved) will be included in the JR Pass from October 2023. Both types of train operate on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. To use these trains, JR Pass holders must purchase a special complementary ticket. This is a supplement to the Japan Rail Pass.

[@ollie2074]

Do the luggage limits also apply to non-shinkansen intercity services ? We're planning on using the Asuza between Tokyo, Matsumoto and Hakuba. Also can you take luggage on the coach between Nagano and Hakuba

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! Luggage restrictions on services such as the Azusa aren't as strict. There are dedicated luggage racks in cars 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 12 on the Azusa. The highway coaches have luggage compartments under the bus for large luggage.

[@ksbma]

Hello, for Shinkansen trains, how do you know if your on the Nozomi trains? When I use google maps, it keeps showing me the Shinkansen Nozomi train options for transit

[@sitimahdaria5006]

Hi, kindly help answering my question, can we reserve our seat in Shinkansen months before our trip if we use JR Pass? Thank you

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi! The official website allows you to reserve shinkansen seats up to one month before the start date of your JR pass.

[@sitimahdaria5006]

@@tokyocheapo Thank you! Really appreciate it!

[@fachrulrza2742]

hello, I want to ask. Are there any restrictions on using the Shinkansen covered by the JR Pass in one day? Or free? example on the same day I want to travel from hiroshima to osaka in the morning, during the day from osaka I want to go to okayama then return to osaka in the afternoon or evening of the same day

[@tokyocheapo]

The JR Pass gives unlimited travel on the shinkansen so that plan should be fine 😊 Just be aware, you can't use the fastest Nozomi or Mizuho shinkansen with the JR Pass.

[@reptilesgamers00]

Can you make a new video on the JR pass? It no longer 29k yen is more like 50k yen.

[@tokyocheapo]

Actually we already did - check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoDThnSVoLB5as0

[@christopherpaul7588]

I'm confused. You say the JR Pass is good for all trains for traveling around Japan. However, I read somewhere that there are actually limitations? I have to take certain trains? I don't know.

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! The JR Pass is good for all JR (Japan Rail) lines around Japan, including the Shinkansen, express trains and local trains. There are quite a few train lines however that are not run by Japan Rail and rather by private rail companies such as the Tokyo Metro subway lines. For these lines, you won’t be able to use the JR Pass. So the pass is best used for travel between cities on the Shinkansen.

[@casonhall5268]

I am taking the train from Shingawa to Kobe. The Tokaido Line ends in Osaka, so will I have to switch trains and buy another ticket for the Sanyo line or will I be able to stay on the train until I reach Kobe?

[@tokyocheapo]

Apologies, just a correction here - many of the shinkansen travelling from Shinagawa only go as far as Shin-Osaka, however there are some that are direct through to Shin-Kobe. Just check the timetable to see which ones go further.

[@RussellCambell]

Question: The Nozomi and Mizuno are off limits for the Tokyo to Kyoto trip on a JR pass . That leaves the Kodama and Hikari trains. How do these compare in speed? Also when i put my trip in Google maps it says my skinkansen trip is so long like 8 hours from Tokyo to Kyoto. This seems way high. Maybe its just all my connecting trains. I am glad to hear that time is much less

[@tokyocheapo]

From Tokyo station to Kyoto station, the Hikari is just over 2 and half hours, the Kodama is about 3 and a half hours. The Nozomi is about 2 hours and ten minutes.

[@kenkeller48]

I have a first class ticket on the bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo. Do I need to reserve space for my luggage? Does this train stop at Shin Yokohama?

[@tokyocheapo]

There’s usually less people in the first class carriage so it’s more likely you can get one of the seats with extra luggage space without advance reservation. And yes, Shin-Yokohama is 2 stops before Tokyo.

[@cynthiagoh4207]

I’m just wondering the luggage size rule does it applicable when travelling from the airport to Tokyo?

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! In general these luggage rules don't apply to the transport to and from the airport. The main thing to watch out for is some low cost buses only allow one piece of standard luggage. If you're travelling from Narita, we have a video covering transport to and from Tokyo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3a3o6p4ir6YnLs

[@kimtran8849]

Which of the website that you can make a reservation online with the Jr pass when you re ready to travel within cities inJapan.

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! If you buy the JR Pass through the official website, you can also make reservations online: japanrailpass.net/

[@solomani5959]

Curious. Is there a way to get oversized luggage from Osaka to Tokyo if the Shinkansen is not an option?

[@tokyocheapo]

There are luggage delivery services which we cover in our article here: tokyocheapo.com/travel/luggage-delivery-services/ but a lot of them do have size restrictions as well.

[@solomani5959]

@@tokyocheapo Nice, thank you. We decided to book a flight instead. It's about ¥8000-¥9000 while the Shinkansen is ¥14,500 between Shin Osaka and Tokyo. Plane is also 1h vs 2.5h. Our plan is to have the "Shinkansen experience" on a day trip to Hiroshima instead 🙃

[@tokyocheapo]

Nice! That sounds like the perfect plan 😊

[@ajm87k]

Does luggage limit applies on tokyo sendai shinkansen???

[@tokyocheapo]

No it doesn't apply on the Tohoku shinkansen 😊 Although you just want to be careful in busy periods, as the baggage area is first come first serve and can get full quite quickly.

[@raistlinec]

You mentioned in your video the size of below 160cm / 160cm to 250cm / 250cm and above… this is the width right?

[@tokyocheapo]

That is overall dimensions: width + depth + height. More info in our article: tokyocheapo.com/travel/transport/new-shinkansen-luggage-rules/

[@raistlinec]

Good Afternoon… I have purchase my JR Pass but yet to exchange then (travel is Jan 5th)… am I able to reserve the seats first?? If yes which website? Can help??

[@tokyocheapo]

Hello! If you purchased the pass directly through the dedicated pass website, you unlock the ability to reserve seats up to one month prior to your first day of planned travel here. You can do that here: www.japanrailpass-reservation.net/

[@tokyocheapo]

More info on JR Passes on our website here: tokyocheapo.com/travel/which-jr-rail-pass-to-choose/

[@raistlinec]

@@tokyocheapo I didn’t buy thru the official site… via Klook in Singapore… means I have to wait till I land in Japan and do it at the Ticket office??

[@tokyocheapo]

That's right. When you pick up your rail pass, you'll be able to make reservations at the same time.

[@robd92]

Might be a dumb question. Can I get my ticket a day in advance using my jr pass?

[@tokyocheapo]

There's no dumb questions! You can pick up your JR pass and reserve seats before the pass start date.

[@robd92]

@@tokyocheapo awesome! That’s good to know. Thank you for your help!

[@rashminot]

Whats the difference between Suica and JR pass?

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi! The JR Pass is a special pass for tourists that allows unlimited use of the shinkansen and JR line trains in cities for the length of the pass. Suica is a rechargeable card anyone can buy that can be used to pay for almost any transport (trains and buses), at convenience stores and at vending machines, among other places. We also have a video guide on using Suica here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIaYk41_fLuYd9E

[@redangel2301]

Hi, I want to.go.to.gala.yuzawa but can i use suica card ?

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! To go from Tokyo to Gala Yuzawa, you'll need to purchase a shinkansen ticket. If you buy it through the JR-EAST Train Reservation site, you can link the ticket to your suica card, which you can then use to tap through the gates.

[@redangel2301]

@@tokyocheapo thank you

[@flyingskydonkey]

Does it allow 1 person having 2 luggage?

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! Yes, each person is allowed 2 pieces of luggage.

[@mylovesongs2429]

one day in California, there will be a bullet train that goes from Victorville to Las Vegas. It's being built right now, but in maybe 15 years, the train will be in operation. I am sure that eventually, maybe in 20-30 years, a train in L.A. will speed passengers to Vegas. Maybe the train will go 200mph. Maybe technology will up the speed to 300mph. I have never flown on a plane, so 300mph will be the fastest i have ever travelled.

[@Rahul-bx7on]

JR pass is 50,000yen not 30,000yen.

[@flyingskydonkey]

What if i hv 2 luggage?

[@tokyocheapo]

You can bring up to two pieces of luggage with you!

[@crystalrojas3865]

@@tokyocheapo do they both have to be under 250 cms?

[@elgenpatterson-caesar4367]

My luggage is too big. I dunno what i am gonna do.

[@tokyocheapo]

How big is it?

[@SkyRocket159]

Tokyeowl

[@autumntriesthings]

Auto-like because cat

[@yvonnewanda]

JR pass is ¥5000 yen for 7-day pass…😂😂😂 not worth it

[@cw2588]

1st?

[@abdulmueizabdulahad5775]

Thank you for this meaningful info, can I ask, for one way reserved ticket on shinkansen, it is preferable to buy online or at the train station itself? Thank you

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! It's really up to you and what will be most convenient. If you're catching the Tokaido, Sanyo or Kyushu shinkansen, you can use this website smart-ex.jp/en/lp/app/ to book online.

[@Alejandra653]

@@tokyocheapo can you make an online reservation on that website using a JRpass?