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Two big Kansai and Tokai cities, one fast ride. From Kobe you board at Shin-Kobe, glide past Osaka and Kyoto, and step off in Nagoya about 1 hour later.
Kobe to Nagoya by Train
You do not have to change trains. Nozomi and Hikari services that come from the Sanyo line run through to Tokyo, stopping at Shin-Kobe, Shin-Osaka and Nagoya.[1] Nozomi has the fewest stops and is the quickest.[2]
The fastest trains need about 1 hour. A Nozomi covers Nagoya to Shin-Osaka in 49 minutes and Shin-Osaka to Shin-Kobe in 13.[3] Hikari makes more stops and takes longer.[2]
Shin-Kobe is the only Shinkansen station in Kobe, so Sannomiya is not where you start. On the subway, Shin-Kobe is station S02 on the Seishin-Yamate Line, 1 stop from Sannomiya (S03).[4]
Reserved seats
A reserved seat on a Hikari or Kodama costs 7,800 yen for an adult in the regular season.[5] Nozomi has its own, higher fare table.[5] In peak season reserved seats cost more and in off-peak season less: for a trip across the Tokaido and Sanyo lines the adjustment is 400 yen.[5]
Non-reserved seats
A non-reserved seat costs 7,470 yen for an adult in the regular season.[6] Board one of the non-reserved cars and sit anywhere that is free. During announced peak periods Nozomi has no non-reserved seats at all, and non-reserved ticket holders can only stand in the passageway. Hikari and Kodama keep their non-reserved seats, though they can be crowded.[7]
Comparing Your Options
| Seat | Adult fare (regular season) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Reserved, Hikari or Kodama | 7,800 yen[5] | Your seat is guaranteed |
| Non-reserved | 7,470 yen[6] | Sit in any free non-reserved seat; no seat guarantee in busy periods |
The fares are the smartEX price lists as of April 2025. Check the current price when you buy.
Tips for Traveling from Kobe to Nagoya
- Rail pass: The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on Nozomi. Take Hikari instead, or buy a separate Nozomi ticket.[8]
- Luggage: Suitcases up to 160 cm in total dimensions (length + width + height) go in the racks above your seat, at your feet or in the storage area on the deck. Bags between 161 and 250 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage space, booked when you buy the ticket.[9]
- Food and drink: There is no on-board sale in Standard Class, so buy your lunch before you board.[10]
- Charging: In Standard Class there are power outlets at the window seats and in the first and last rows. On the newest trains every seat has one.[10]
Timetable
| Train Kobe - Nagoya $ 47.31–52.13 1h 1m – 1h 8m | |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Kobe to Nagoya, including current prices and schedules.
A non-reserved seat on the Shinkansen from Shin-Kobe costs 7,470 yen for an adult in the regular season (smartEX price list, April 2025). A reserved seat on Hikari or Kodama costs 7,800 yen.
The Nozomi Shinkansen from Shin-Kobe, which stops at Shin-Osaka and Nagoya with few other stops. The ride takes about 1 hour.
About 1 hour on a Nozomi. Hikari stops more often and takes a bit longer.
No. Nozomi and Hikari trains from the Sanyo line run through Shin-Kobe, Shin-Osaka and Nagoya to Tokyo, so you can stay on the same train.
Shin-Kobe Station, the Shinkansen station. It is station S02 on the Seishin-Yamate subway line, 1 stop from Sannomiya.
Not in Standard Class, where there is no on-board sale. Buy a drink and a bento before you board.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): Shinkansen Timetable 2026.3.14 (east bound). Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [2] Japan National Tourism Organization: Shinkansen (Bullet Train). Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): Shinkansen Timetable 2026.3.14 (west bound). Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [4] Kobe City Transportation Bureau: Subway Map. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [5] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service Prices (Reserved Seat in Ordinary Cars). Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [6] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service Prices (Non-reserved Seat in Ordinary Cars). Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [7] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): All seats on Nozomi trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen are reserved during peak periods. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [8] JAPAN RAIL PASS (JR Group): Scope of validity - JAPAN RAIL PASS. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
- [9] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): Luggage information. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [10] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): Shinkansen Perfect Guide: Golden Route with the Shinkansen. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.