The Tokyo–Kyoto shinkansen is the trip people fly to Japan to take. It's also just a commuter line with better views.
The trains#
| Train | Time | JR Pass | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozomi | ~2h15 | Supplement required | Fastest, most frequent |
| Hikari | ~2h40 | Covered | The pass-holder's train |
| Kodama | ~3h50 | Covered | Stops everywhere; discount tickets exist |
From Tokyo or Shinagawa station to Kyoto station. Several per hour from before 6am to after 9pm.
Booking#
Online through the JR Central site or the official apps, at a ticket machine (English menu), or at a counter. Reserved seats are the default; non-reserved cars exist on all three and are fine off-peak. Book the day before in normal weeks; book early for Golden Week, Obon, New Year and cherry blossom week (the busy months). Prices don't change with date.
The Fuji seat#
Going to Kyoto, sit on the right side (seats E, the window on the two-seat side). Fuji appears about 40 minutes out, past Shin-Fuji, on a clear day. Tokyo in January and December have the clearest skies.
Luggage#
Over 160cm combined needs a reserved oversized-luggage seat (the last row, booked ahead). The civilised answer is takkyubin: hand your suitcase to your Tokyo hotel's front desk, pay a modest fee, and it's at your Kyoto hotel the next day. Travel with a daypack. Convenience stores send bags too.
Don't fly#
Kyoto has no airport; Osaka's are an hour away. Door to door, the train wins by hours and there's nothing to see from 30,000 feet.
Where it fits#
Ten days in Japan: a week in Tokyo (itinerary) and three nights in Kyoto, or split with Osaka (Tokyo vs Osaka vs Kyoto). Is the JR Pass worth it? depends on how far past Kyoto you go. How much a Japan trip costs.
Arrive knowing someone#
Post your Kyoto dates on Roavi Community before the train: travellers arriving the same days appear together and Local Friends in Kyoto reply. Rent a friend in Japan as a foreigner explains how Local Friends work there.
Heading to Kyoto? Post your dates and arrive knowing someone.
Post your tripFrequently Asked Questions
How long is the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto?
About two hours fifteen minutes on a Nozomi, two hours forty on a Hikari, and nearly four on a Kodama, which stops everywhere. Trains run every few minutes from early morning to late evening.How much is the shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto?
A reserved seat on a Nozomi or Hikari costs roughly the same as a short-haul flight, in the low tens of thousands of yen one way; Kodama with a discount ticket is a little less. Prices are fixed, not dynamic, so there's no advantage in booking months ahead except for the seat.Does the JR Pass cover Tokyo to Kyoto?
It covers Hikari and Kodama trains. Nozomi (and Mizuho) need a paid supplement since the 2023 rule change. For a single Tokyo–Kyoto round trip the pass isn't worth it; the worth-it guide explains when it is.Can I take a big suitcase on the shinkansen?
Bags up to 160cm combined (height + width + depth) go in the overhead rack or behind the last row. Bigger than that needs a reserved seat with oversized-luggage space, booked in advance, or a fine on board. Most travellers send big bags ahead by takkyubin instead.
