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Tokyo to Osaka is Japan's busiest travel corridor, and the Tokaido Shinkansen is how most people make the trip. You leave from a station in the middle of Tokyo and arrive at Shin-Osaka, one subway ride from Umeda and Namba, where Osaka's street-food culture of kuidaore, eating until you drop, awaits.
Tokyo to Osaka by Shinkansen
The Nozomi takes 2 hours 21 minutes from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka.[1] A reserved seat on a Hikari or Kodama costs 14,200 yen one way in the regular season when bought through smartEX.[2] The Hikari and Kodama stop at more stations and take longer than the Nozomi.
With a Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on the Nozomi, so pass holders ride the Hikari or Kodama.[3] To ride the Nozomi with the pass you need the Nozomi Mizuho Ticket, which costs 4,960 yen for Tokyo to Shin-Osaka.[4]
Luggage
Bags up to 160 cm in total dimensions fit in the overhead racks, at your feet or in the deck storage area. Bags of 161 to 250 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area; without a reservation a carry-on fee of 1,000 yen applies, and bags over 250 cm cannot be taken on board.[5]
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is on the right-hand side heading west, about an hour after leaving Tokyo.[6]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) | 2h 21min | High |
| Shinkansen (Hikari or Kodama) | Longer than the Nozomi | High |
Tips for Traveling from Tokyo to Osaka
- Bento: Buy an ekiben at Tokyo Station before boarding.
- IC card: A Suica or Pasmo card from Tokyo also works on Osaka's subway and buses.
- Peak days: Reserve ahead for Fridays, Sunday evenings and holiday weeks.
Timetable
| Flight Tokyo - Osaka $ 95.14โ262.99 1h 5m โ 1h 20m | |
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| Train Tokyo - Osaka $ 91.85โ93.81 2h 21m โ 3h 54m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Tokyo to Osaka, including current prices and schedules.
The Nozomi Shinkansen takes 2 hours 21 minutes from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka.
A reserved seat on a Hikari or Kodama costs 14,200 yen one way in the regular season when bought through smartEX.
Yes, on the Hikari and Kodama. The pass is not valid on the Nozomi unless you buy the Nozomi Mizuho Ticket, which costs 4,960 yen for Tokyo to Shin-Osaka.
Bags up to 160 cm in total dimensions need no reservation. Bags of 161 to 250 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area, and bags over 250 cm are not allowed on board.
Yes, on a clear day. Sit on the right side when heading west, and look out about an hour after leaving Tokyo.
Shin-Osaka Station, from where the subway takes you to Umeda and Namba.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): Shinkansen Perfect Guide: Tickets & Tips. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- [2] smartEX (JR Central, JR West, JR Kyushu): smartEX Service prices: reserved seat in ordinary cars (as of 1 April 2025). Retrieved November 3, 2026.
- [3] Japan Rail Pass (JR Group): Scope of validity. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
- [4] Japan Rail Pass (JR Group): Use of NOZOMI/MIZUHO trains. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
- [5] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): Luggage information. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
- [6] Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central): MOUNT FUJI: like you have never seen. Retrieved October 26, 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.