The Shinkansen is the high speed train and the speed of the Shinkansen save your trip time. There are many Shinkansen lines in Japan now. In this post, I will explain you the Tokaido Shinkansen which is the first Shinkansen line in Japan. And also I will explain you the Sanyo and the Kyushu Shinkansen too. Because these two Shinkansen lines are connected with the Tokaido Shinkansen.
- Overview
- Train operation
- Types of train
- Timetable
- Photo gallery
- The coverage by the rail passes
- The summary
Overview
The Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Kagoshima-Chuo is one train line but this line is divided by three different segments. Because three JR companies own this Shinkansen line and the name of the line is the different by the segment.
The first segment is called the Tokaido Shinkansen runs between Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.
It is the first ever Shinkansen line in Japan. And this is known as the busiest Shinkansen line and one of the busiest train line in all Japan railway lines. The Tokaido Shinkansen is owned by JR Central.
The Sanyo Shinkansen is operated between Shin-Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata (Fukuoka) which is owned by JR West.
And the Kyushu Shinkansen runs between Hakata, Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo that is owned by JR Kyushu.
But in the train operation, many trains cross the border and run on two segments.
Train operation
Shin-Osaka and Hakata are the border station but you may not be able to find the difference and the border. Please see the operation map below:
Many trains, such as Nozomi, Mizuho cross the border and run through two Shinkansen lines, such as Tokyo to Hakata by Nozomi, Shin-Osaka to Kagoshima-Chuo by Mizuho.
Types of train
There are six types of trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Sanyo Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen.
Nozomi
Nozomi is the fastest train on the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Sanyo Shinkansen. Nozomi runs every 10 minutes during daytime between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, and run every 30 minutes between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima or Hakata.
All Nozomi stops at Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kokura and Hakata. Some Nozomi stops Nishi-Akashi, Himeji, Fukuyama, Tokuyama and Shin-Yamaguchi. Nozomi does not go further than Hakata. Mizuho and Sakura run between Shin-Osaka, Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo. I will explain about these trains later.
JR Pass is NOT valid for Nozomi. If you want to take Nozomi, you have to pay the full fare. There is no deals available to cover Nozomi between Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka other than the travel package by some travel agents.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Nozomi
Tokyo |
1 hour 40 minutes |
Nagoya |
35 minute |
Kyoto |
15 minute |
Shin-Osaka |
50 minute |
Okayama |
40 minutes |
Hiroshima |
1 hour 5 minutes |
Hakata |
*The trip tims may be varied by the train, the departure time and the season.
Nozomi train formation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
NR | NR | NR | R | R | R | R | G | G | G | R | R | R | R | R | R |
R – Ordinary class reserved seat
NR – Ordinary class non-reserved seat
G – Reserved Green class
Hikari
Hikari is the second fastest train on the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Sanyo Shinkansen. If you travel between Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka by JR Pass, Hikari is your choice because Nozomi is not covered as I explained above.
Most of Hikari runs between Tokyo, Shin-Osaka and Okayama. Hikari which goes to Hiroshima and Hakata is very few. I will explain about other train, Sakura later which is covered by JR pass on the Sanyo and the Kyushu Shinkansen.
All Hikari stops at Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Shin-Shimonoseki, Kokura and Hakata. Many Hikari stop at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Gifu-Hashima, Maibara, Nishi-Akashi and Aioi. Some Hikari also stop at Odawara, Atami, Mishima and Toyohashi.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Hikari
Tokyo |
1 hour |
Shizuoka |
45 minute |
Nagoya |
40 minute |
Kyoto |
15 minute |
Shin-Osaka |
40 minute |
Himeji |
30 minutes |
Okayama |
40 minutes |
Hiroshima |
*The trip tims may be varied by the train, the departure time and the season.
Hikari train formation
Most Hikari are operated by the following 16 cars formation.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | G | G | G | R | R | R | R | R | R |
R – Ordinary class reserved seat
NR – Ordinary class non-reserved seat
G – Reserved Green class
However very few Hikari which run between Shin-Osaka and Hakata are operated by the following 8 cars formation.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
NR | NR | NR | R | R | R /G | R | R |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
NR | NR | NR | R | R | R | R | R |
Hotels in Fukuoka
Hotels in Hiroshima
Hotels in Nagoya
Kodama
Kodama is the slowest train and stops at all stations on the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Sanyo Shinkansen. At this point, only Kodama stops at the following stations:
- Shin-Fuji
- Kakegawa
- Mikawa-Anjo
- Asa
This is covered by JR Pass. But the trip time is significantly longer than Hikari and Sakura. If you need to access one of these above stations, you have to take Kodama. Otherwise try to take Hikari or Sakura to save your trip time.
Kodama runs all part of the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Sanyo Shinkansen. But there is no Kodama which goes through from Tokyo to Hakata. Kodama run between Tokyo and Nagoya, Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, Shin-Osaka and Hakata. But many Kodama run on the short distance, such as Tokyo to Mishima.
Kodama train formation
All Kodama on the Tokaido Shinkansen are operated by the following 16 cars formation.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | G | G | G | R | R | NR | NR | NR | R |
R – Ordinary class reserved seat
NR – Ordinary class non-reserved seat
G – Reserved Green class
All Kodama which run between Shin-Osaka and Hakata are operated by the following 8 cars formation.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
NR | NR | NR | R | R | R /G | NR | NR |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
NR | NR | NR | R | R | R | NR | NR |
Platt Kodama, Tokyo-Nagoya-Kyoto-Osaka deal
Kodama is covered by JR Pass. But if you want to travel one way from Tokyo to Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka or versa, Platt Kodama is a good deal. JR Pass is too much for just one way trip between Tokyo and Osaka or Kyoto. Please refer the post below to find the detailed information:
Mizuho
Mizuho is the fastest train on the Sanyo Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chuo. This train runs about 6 to 8 round trips a day. The number of trips are varied by the season.
All Mizuho stops at Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima and Kokura, Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo. Some Mizuho stops Himeji, Kurume and Sendai.
JR Pass is NOT valid for Mizuho. If you want to take Mizuho, you have to pay the full fare. But if you use JR West deals and JR Kyushu deals, such as Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, Kansai Wide Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass, Kyushu Rail Pass and some more deals, you can take Mizuho.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Mizuho
Shin-Osaka |
50 minute |
Okayama |
40 minutes |
Hiroshima |
1 hour 5 minutes |
Hakata |
35 minutes |
Kumamoto |
45 minutes |
Kagoshima-Chuo |
*The trip tims may be varied by the train, the departure time and the season.
Mizuho train formation
All Mizuho are operated by the following 8 cars formation.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
NR | NR | NR | R | R | R /G | R | R |
R – Ordinary class reserved seat
NR – Ordinary class non-reserved seat
G – Reserved Green class
Nozomi and Hikari provide exactly same accommodation in both the reserved ordinary class and the non reserved ordinary class. But Mizuho and Sakura offers better seat in the reserved ordinary class. If you travel between Shin-Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata, Mizuho and Sakura are better choice than Nozomi and Hikari. I will show you the photos later in this post.
Sakura
Sakura is the second fastest train on the Sanyo Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen. If you travel between Shin-Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, Hakata, Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo by JR Pass, Sakura is your choice because Nozomi and Mizuho is not covered as I explained above. You can take Hikari as well between Shin-Osaka and Hakata but Sakura has better seat in reserved ordinary class. I will show you the photos later in this post.
Most of Sakura runs between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chuo. All Sakura stops at Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Okayama, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Kokura, Hakata, Shin-Tosu, Kurume, Kumamoto, Sendai and Kagoshima-Chuo. Many Sakura stops at Fukuyama, Shin-Yatsushiro, Shin-Minamata and Izumi. Some Sakura also stop at Himeji, Tokuyama, Shin-Yamaguchi, Shin-Shimonoseki, Chikugo-Funagoya, Shin-Omuta and Shin-Tamana.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Sakura
Shin-Osaka |
50 minute |
Okayama |
40 minutes |
Hiroshima |
1 hour 5 minutes |
Hakata |
40 minutes |
Kumamoto |
50 minutes |
Kagoshima-Chuo |
*The trip tims may be varied by the train, the departure time and the season.
Sakura train formation
Most Sakura are operated by the following 8 cars formation.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
NR | NR | NR | R | R | R /G | R | R |
R – Ordinary class reserved seat
NR – Ordinary class non-reserved seat
G – Reserved Green class
A few Sakura are operated by the following 6 cars formation.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
NR | NR | NR | R | R | R |
Nozomi and Hikari provide exactly same accommodation in both the reserved ordinary class and the non reserved ordinary class. But Mizuho and Sakura offers better seat in the reserved ordinary class. If you travel between Shin-Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata, Mizuho and Sakura are better choice than Nozomi and Hikari. I will show you the photos later in this post.
Tsubame
Tsubame is the slowest train and stops at all stations on the Kyushu Shinkansen between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo. But in the day time, Tsubame mostly runs between Hakata and Kumamoto. Sakura covers the segment between Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo. This train is covered by JR Pass.
Tsubame train formation
All Tsubame are operated by the following 8 cars formation.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
NR | NR | NR | R | R | R |
A few Tsubame are operated by the following 8 cars formation.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
NR | NR | NR | R | R | R /G | R | R |
R – Ordinary class reserved seat
NR – Ordinary class non-reserved seat
G – Reserved Green class
Timetable
You may find the timetables in JR Central and JR Kyushu official sites in the links below:
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
JR Kyushu official site – The route map and the timetable of JR Kyushu trains
Photo gallery
The accommodation is a bit different from the fleets. There are several kinds of the fleet to be used for the Shinkansen trains.
N700 and 700 series (Nozomi, Hikari, Kodama)
All Nozomi and most Hikari are operated by these train sets. And also these train sets are also used for Kodama 16 cars formation on the Tokaido Shinkansen. N700 and 700 almost same in these two train sets.
Green class seat
Ordinary class seat (reserved and non reserved)
The interior is exactly same in both the reserved and non reserved ordinary class seats.
Sanitary facility
Smoking space
N700-7000/8000 series (Mizuho, Sakura)
All Mizuho, most Sakura and very few Tsubame are operated by this fleet.
Green class seat
Reserved ordinary class seats
N700-7000 offers better accommodation in the reserved ordinary class seat than other Shinkansen fleets. This is the reason why I recommend you to take Mizuho or Sakura more than Nozomi and Hikari.
Non reserved ordinary class
Non reserved ordinary class is same accommodation as other ordinary class seat.
Sanitary facility
Other facilities
500 series (Kodama on the Sanyo Shinkansen)
This fleet was used for Nozomi before. The style of this fleet is still very updated and cool. Now this fleet is used for Kodama on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. This train set does not provide Green class seat. But the reserved ordinary seat is better than non reserved seat.
Reserved ordinary class seat
Non reserved ordinary class seat
Other facilities
800 series (Tsubame and a few Sakura)
This train set is used for Tsubame on the Kyushu Shinkansen between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo. It is also used for a few Sakura which runs in Kyushu only. This train set does not run on the Sanyo Shinkansen segment.
This train set provide only one class seat which is the ordinary class. There is no difference between reserved and non reserved. But this ordinary class is much wider than other ordinary class seat. And this is made of lots of wood material. The atmosphere is totally different from other Shinkansen fleets.
Ordinary class seat
Other facilities
The coverage by the rail passes
There are many rail passes available. You may be confused which Shinkansen train and class are covered by the pass. Please see the table below:
Type of pass | Coverage |
---|---|
JR Pass Green | All seats on all Shinkansen trains other than Nozomi and Mizuho |
JR Pass Ordinary | Both reserved and non reserved on all Shinkansen trains other than Nozomi and Mizuho |
JR West Kansai Area Pass | This pass does not cover any Shinkansen trains |
JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass | Only non reserved ordinary seat of all Shinkansen trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen trains between Shin-Osaka and Okayama |
JR West Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass | Only non reserved ordinary seat of all Shinkansen trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen trains between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima |
JR West Sanyo Sanin Area Pass | Both reserved and non reserved seats of all Shinkansen trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hakata |
JR West Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass | Only non reserved ordinary seat of all Shinkansen trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen trains between Hiroshima and Hakata |
JR West Hiroshima Okayama Yamaguchi Area Pass | Only non reserved ordinary seat of all Shinkansen trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen trains between Okayama and Hakata |
All Kyushu Rail Pass | Both reserved and non reserved seats of all Shinkansen trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo |
Northern Kyushu Rail Pass | Both reserved and non reserved seats of all Shinkansen trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen between Hakata and Kumamoto |
Southern Kyushu Rail Pass | Both reserved and non reserved seats of all Shinkansen trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen between Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo |
Kyushu Rail Pass Fukuoka Wide | This pass does not cover any Shinkansen trains. |
The summary
If you take the Shinkansen by JR Pass, Hikari is the choice for your travel between Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka. But if you travel to the west from Shin-Osaka, Sakura has better interior as you saw. Sakura is more recommended.
If you use JR West passes, you can use any trains. But most JR West deals cover only non reserved seat. You cannot get a benefit of better seat in the reserved car.
If you travel in Kyushu by Kyushu Rail Pass, 800 series is very interesting train set. Tsubame is slow train but this is operated by this series. You may take this train too.
I hope this Shinkansen ride guide gives you many ideas. And I am glad if you use this guide to build your trip plan.
Comments
Hi, i am planning to buy 7 days JR Pass. I will arrive and departure via haneda.
My itenary will be tyo-kyo (stay 2night)-osaka (daytrip)-tyo (stay 3night). From the 1st day we arrived at haneda we can activate the jr pass and using this pass to shinagawa sta and than to kyoto via hikari right?
If we stay at shinagawa prince hotel and plan to explore tokyo area, can i use the JR pass or i must buy suica/pasmo again?
thanks,
madi
Hi Madi,
JR Pass covers your trip and it’s the right deal for your trip.
When you go to Shinagawa from Haneda, there are two ways, Keihin Kyuko and Tokyo Monorail. Keihin Kyuko connects Haneda and Shinagawa directly but this train is not covered by JR pass. Only Tokyo Monorail is covered but it goes to Hamamatsucho where is located between Tokyo and Shinagawa. Please see the link below to find the details.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
You can take JR local trains in Tokyo. You can use JR pass to take these trains. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi takeshi,
thanks for your fast rersponse. So JR pass only cover to big station in tokyo, but if i want to reach downtown the best option is buy the tokyo subway ticket? this ticket different with suica/pasmo with i can use at minimart e.g 7-11 ?
pls adv we better choose one or both?
Hi Madison,
JR Pass covers all JR stations. It covers many places in downtown Tokyo. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
But as you see, some places cannot be accessed by JR trains. You may need subway pass. Please make sure where you go and which train you need to take.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
We will travel to tokyo kyoto and osaka for 8 days. We will arrive at haneda airport and out from kansai airport. Our itenary only tokyo downtown disneysea and universal studio osaka. Is JR pass worth it for us?
Hi Ninik,
No. Single ticket is cheaper.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/basic-itinerary-of-tokyo-kyoto-and-osaka-in-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
We are a group of 6 adults, traveling from KIX to a hotel near Kyoto station. In Kyoto , we plan to travel to popular sights n to Nara , Hiroshima, himeji castle. After 6 days, we travel by train to Tokyo to hotel near ikebukuro station n will visit popular sights there n Yokohama for 7 days. What pass should I buy that will be good value for my family of 2 parents n 4 children ages 12+?
Hi Poon,
You may use 7 days JR pass for the first 7 days. You can get Nara, Himeji and Hiroshima, and get Tokyo by Shinkansen by this pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
In Tokyo, you may use subway pass and Yokohama Minato Mirai Pass. Please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/yokohama-and-kamakura-access-guide-find-the-right-deal-and-route-from-your-place-to-stay.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I m considering taking the Kate bus from KIX to Keihan hotel where I stay in Kyoto , so need not activate it on first day. Will JL Pass bring me to Yokahoma? is the 7 day pass a better value than taking a combination of buses n trains for sightseeing?
Hi Poonks,
You may use JR pass to visit Yokohama too. You can find the info at the link that I gave you in the previous reply.
You need JR pass as long as you have trip to Hiroshima and to Tokyo. There is no deals better than this.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Wondering once I get in from Narita to Shinagawa, trying to hop on Hikari to Kyoto, do I just look for the words ‘Hikari’ or is there a symbol or something similar on signs? Thanks
Hi Dan,
You can follow the sign that says “Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen”. It also has symbol too.
The sign looks the photo in the link below. In this photo, Shinkansen is shown at the left side in the signage, Track 14 – 19.
https://static.retrip.jp/article/6269/images/62691802b3d6-3d8e-4eeb-bb45-9b638c8835a7_m.jpg
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
I have a further enquiries on the kansai wide area 5-day pass which I’m using to okayama and himeji.
Can i take the shinkansen from Shin-kobe to okayama and himeji with this pass?
What type of shinkansen can this pass be used for? Nozomi, Mizuho, Hikari, kindly advise as i read in your post that JR can’t be used for Nozomi.
Using this pass for shinkansen is on non-reserved seats, if that is the case, if the train is full, passengers will have to stand during the entire journey? Can the seats be reserved?
Appreciate your clarification.
Thank you,
Julian
Hi Julian.
This pass covers any kind of Shinkansen trains. You can take even Nozomi and Mizuho by this pass. This is different condition from JR Pass.
As you think, if non reserved seat is full, you have to stand up. Unfortunately you cannot use reserved seat by this pass. If you want, you have to purchase full amount of reserved seat ticket that is not recommended. If you are solo traveler, it’s not hard to find the seat. It may be hard to find the seat side by side if you travel with someone.
In most of cases, slower train is much easier to get a seat. If you have a time, take Kodama. It’s much easier to find the seat than Nozomi, Mizuho, Hikari and Sakura.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello. I am planning to travel from Hiroshima to Shinagawa in October by Shinkansen on a JR Rail Pass. I’ve read that I can take one of the non-Nozomi trains to Shin-Osaka, and then transfer there to go to Shinagawa. However, I’m not sure exactly which train(s) to take. Is it the Hikari? The Sakura? Both?
Hi Bryan,
You can take Hikari, Sakura and Kodama. But Kodama stops at all stations and very slow. Your choice is Hikari or Sakura.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I am travelling from Osaka to Atami in 2 days. Which is the most convenient solution?
Thanks.
Hi Daniele,
You can take Hikari on Tokaido Shinkansen. There are some trains stops at Atami and get Atami from Shin-Osaka directly. Please find the train timetable at the link below:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I’m currently staying at shizuoka. I want to travel to hiroshima from shizuoka. I have an active JR pass. What would be the route to take? Thank you.
Hi Mohit,
You can take Hikari to Shin-Osaka and Sakura from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima. Please see the links to get the timetable of Shinkansen.
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I will be in Tokyo and Osaka for 10 days from 12 Aug to 22 Aug. My family of three adults will leave Tokyo on 17 Aug to Osaka and return to Tokyo on 21 Aug.
1. What is the roundtrip fare on Hikari (Tokyo-Osaka-Tokyo)?
2. Is it more worth it to get the 7 Days JR Pass?
3. If I buy the 7 Days Pass, which day should I activate it?
4. I have an ICOCA card. Can this be used on Shinkansen?
Thank you
Hi Jennifer,
1. Appx 28000 yen for round trip. If you want to get an exact fare, please check it at hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
2. As you see the fare, round trip fare is slightly cheaper than JR pass 7 days. But if you have some more trip, like trip to Kyoto, Nara and/or Kobe from Osaka, somewhere around Tokyo, you can get the worth of 7 days pass easily. It’s only 1000 yen difference.
3. You can use it for the last 7 days of your trip.
4. No, you can’t.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I am planning to go from Tokyo to Fukuyama next week, on 19/7 in the morning and want to go back on 25/7 around noon from Fukuyama to Tokyo (Narita airport).
1) Which train is best to take? Nozomi or to buy JR Pass or something else?
2) I am travelling with 4 kids (10-12years old), do they have any discount? And is there any discount for round trip?
3) Do we have to make any reservations? Can we buy it online or is it ok to buy at the Tokyo Station?
4) Can we use credit cards for buying tickets? Thanks
Hi Danijela,
1. If you want to save your cost, JR pass is better choice. It’s cheaper than single fare ticket. But if you use JR pass, you cannot take Nozomi. You have to take Hikari or Sakura. There are many Nozomi to get Fukuyama from Tokyo directly. But if you use JR pass, you have to change the train at Shin-Osaka. You can find the timetable of Shinkansen and Narita Express at the links below:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_nex_u/index.html
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_nex_d/index.html
You will take Narita Express from Narita airport to Shinagawa, not Tokyo. You can change the trains, from Narita Express to Shinkansen, at Tokyo. But Shinagawa is easier.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/shinagawa-station-guide-transfer-among-shinkansen-keihin-kyuko-to-haneda-narita-express.html
2. If you purchase single fare ticket, you can get child rate for 11 years old and younger. It’s half price. Adult fare is applied to 12 year old.
Round trip discount is 10% for just base fare portion. In my rough calculation, one way base fare is around 10000 yen after discount. And one way express surcharge is around 8500 yen. JR pass is 29100 yen to cover all. The choice is yours.
3. There is no online available. You need to book it after you arrive in Japan anyway. Reservation is recommended.
4. You can pay by credit card.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com