When you move among Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka, you may think to take the Shinkansen (a.k.a. bullet train). If you have a round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto/Shin-Osaka, JR pass is the best choice. But even 7 days JR pass price is almost equal to the round trip fare and the seat fee of the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. JR pass is not the best choice for one way movement.
Platt Kodama may be the solution for the traveler who make only one way trip from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka (or versa). Because it is a sort of the Shinkansen one way trip discount ticket among Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.
I would like to show you this ticket in this post.
What is Kodama?
Before I explain this deal, I want to tell you about Kodama.
The Shinkansen runs on the exclusive track. The Shinkansen trains does not share the track with any conventional local commute trains and other conventional express trains. But on the Tokaido Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, there are three types of trains running, Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama. These three trains look exactly same and offers exactly same interior. The only difference is the trip time and stop stations. Kodama is the slowest train and make stops at all stations.
Please read the link below to learn more about the Tokaido Shinkansen.
So if you use this deal, you have to accept the extra trip time. You cannot take the fastest train.
What is Platt Kodama?
Platt Kodama is a sort of the discount tickets for taking Kodama only among the stations between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, such as Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Nagoya and Kyoto. This deal is not available further than Shin-Osaka to west destination, such as Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata.
Kodama is the slowest Shinkansen train and the trip time is much longer than Nozomi and Hikari. But you can get the lower rate than the regular fare.
I mentioned that Platt Kodama is a sort of the discount tickets. But technically this is not a ticket but a package tour product. You cannot purchase this at the ticket window in JR stations. You have to go to JR Tokai Tours that is JR Central’s travel agent.
Sales location
You may find the location of JR Tokai Tours office in Tokyo, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka at the link below:
Condition of use
There are several conditions. When you use Platt Kodama, please understand these conditions before you use purchase this deal.
- Must purchase it be the day before you use. You cannot buy it on the travel date.
- Fixed trip plan. You have to take the train that is shown on the ticket. You cannot take any other trains.
- Seat assigned. You cannot use any other seat and cannot change the seat.
- No stopover allowed. Once you get off the train, your ticket is expired.
- No trip plan changed. You cannot change the trip plan and refund without handling charge.
Please find the detailed information in the link below:
Platt Kodama, Guidance of Plans (PDF file)
And you will receive a drink voucher. You can get a free drink at Kiosk before on board. And also if you add 1,000 yen for Tokyo to/from Nagoya, 1,500 yen Tokyo to/from Shin-Osaka or Kyoto, you can take Green seat.
Green seat is much more spacious and very comfortable.
Compare Kodama, Hikari and Nozomi in the trip time
Please see the Tokaido Shinkansen timetable in the link below:
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
I have picked up three trains in early morning. (The timetable is varied by the season.)
Please find those trains below in the timetable.
| Train name | Tokyo | Nagoya | Kyoto | Shin-Osaka |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K633 (Kodama 633) | 06:56 | 09:48 | 10:46 | 11:00 |
| N203 (Nozomi 203) | 07:00 | 08:42 | 09:19 | 09:33 |
| H461 (Hikari 461) | 07:03 | 09:11 | 09:49 | 10:05 |
As you see, Nozomi is 1.5 hours faster than Kodama if you travel from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka. Even Hikari is 1 hour faster than Kodama. But one way trip traveler does not pick up Hikari because it is slower than Nozomi. If you use JR pass, Hikari is a primary choice but I cannot find any reasons why one way traveler use Hikari.
Compare Platt Kodama and the regular fare
You can find the price comparison between Kodama single fare and Platt Kodama in the official site. But I would like to show you the fare comparison between Nozomi regular fare and Platt Kodama. As you see, if you take Kodama, you will spend 1.5 hours extra for Tokyo to/from Kyoto or Shin-Osaka. I think you want to know how much you can save to give up 1.5 extra hours.
| Segment | Regular fare for Nozomi | Platt Kodama | Your saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo to/from Shin-Osaka | 14,720 yen | 10,700 yen | 4,020 yen |
| Tokyo to/from Kyoto | 14,170 yen | 10,500 yen | 3,670 yen |
| Tokyo to/from Nagoya | 11,300 yen | 8,500 yen | 2,800 yen |
| Nagoya to/from Shin-Osaka | 6,680 yen | 4,500 yen | 2,180 yen |
| Nagoya to/from Kyoto | 5,910 yen | 4,400 yen | 1,510 yen |
*These above rates and prices are regular season rates. Rates and prices are varied by season. You can find the complete price table of Platt Kodama in the official site. Nozomi regular rate is also varied by the season. And the seasonality of Nozomi regular rate is different from the seasonality of Platt Kodama. Approximate seasonality of Nozomi is the following:
| Peak season | Spring break (late March to early April) Golden Week (late April to early May) Summer break (late July to late August) Winter break (late December to early January) |
| Shoulder season | All days except weekend and holiday in the following period: from mid January to February June September November to mid December |
The periods are adjusted in each year. You can find the exact fare of Nozomi at Hyperdia. Hyperdia complete guide
Assessment
I would like to show you extra time and saving cost again.
Tokyo to/from Shin-Osaka 4,020 yen for 1.5 hours
Tokyo to/from Kyoto 3,670 yen for 1.5 hours
Tokyo to/from Nagoya 2,800 yen for 1 hour 10 minutes
Nagoya to/from Shin-Osaka 2,180 yen for 21 minutes
Nagoya to/from Kyoto 1,510 yen for 21 minutes
It is hard to say that you can accept this trade off. You cannot purchase a ticket at the station and must purchase day before. These conditions may be considerable for you.
I am glad if this post gave you some idea to build your trip plan.
Comments
Hello again takeshi,
I would just like to clarify, all Shinkansen train ticket have to be bought a day in advance? Or is it just the platt kodama? I plan to take the Nozomi going from kyoto to nagoya you see.
Then some of my friends will arrive at KIX and want to go straight to Kyoto on the day of their arrival by taking the Shinkansen, will that be still possible? If not , what alternative train should they take?
Thanks always for your input Takeshi
Regards,
Mitch
Hi Mitch,
Regular ticket can be purchased on the day of trip. You can purchase it even 10 minutes prior to departure time.
But the way, Shinkansen is not the choice for KIX to Kyoto. Limited Express Haruka is the best choice from KIX to Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
How far in advance should I buy the tickets? I’m traveling in a group of 7 and I’m worried there won’t be tickets available if I go the day before the trip.
Hi m,
I recommend you to purchase it as early as possible after you arrive in Japan. All tickets until September 30th departure are already on sale.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takashi,
Thank you for your info. Can I purchase it online and get it mail to the hotel in Kyoto downtown or I must get it from JR Tokai tours? The reserved seats mean I can choose seat when I purchased or it will be assigned automatically?
Thank you,
Ann
Hi Ann,
Unfortunately online is not available. It’s in Japanese only. You need to go to JR Tokai tours to purchase it.
As long as seat is available, you can choose the seat, like window side, isle side when you purchase it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takashi,
Could you tell where does the train stop at Tokyo? Is it only at Tokyo station not passing by Shinjuku at all?
Thank you,
Ann
Hi Ann,
Your choice is Tokyo or Shinagawa. When you go to Shinjuku, you can get off at Shinagawa and take Yamanote line to Shinjuku. You have to purchase single ticket for Shinagawa to Shinjuku that is around 200 yen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takashi,
My stay will be in Okubo about 10min walk from Shinkuju. I haven’t figured out whether it is more effective to get off from Shinagawa or from Tokyo. Do you recommend if I should get Pasco pass as soon as I arrived at Kansai airport?
Hi Ann,
Shinagawa is better to get off. It’s faster to get Shinjuku than getting off at Tokyo.
You can buy ICOCA at Osaka. Pasmo is sold in Tokyo only. But ICOCA can be used in same way as Pasmo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there, i would like to ask is there any cheaper way to travel from kyoto to tokyo during first week of April?
Thanks
Hi P,
If you intend to take train, this deal, Platt Kodama is most affordable and realistic way.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for the information! However, i would like to check with you further on some other matter.
I’m planning to purchase a pair of Kodama tickets from Kyoto to Tokyo. However, I will be in Osaka a couple of days before I head over to Kyoto. In this situation, will I be able to purchase my Kodama tickets in Osaka even though I’m travelling from Kyoto?
Regards,
P
Hi P,
Yes. You can purchase it at JR Tokai tours in Shin-Osaka station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
HI Takeshi,
Is Puratto Kodama Economy Plan the same as Platt Kodama?
From what I understand, am I correct to say that this is ticket, not a pass? So if I have these travel plan below,
1. Kyoto to Nagoya on Monday
2. Nagoya to Osaka on Friday
I have to make two ticket purchase at JR Tokai Tours at least a day before my travel day?
Hi Li Chen,
I think it’s same. But I have never heard Platt Kodama Economy Plan.
You understood correctly. You need to purchase two tickets and need to purchase at least a day before.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
How many days in advance would I be able to purchase this tickets from the JTB/JR Tokai outlets? 🙂 appreciate if there’s some info for me, thank you!
Hi Gina,
It’s on sale one month prior to departure date. You can purchase it until the day before.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for the helpful information. I plan on traveling from Shinjuku to Kii-Katsuura in June. If I take the Platt Kodama to Nagoya, will the arrival time allow me to take the train to Kii-Katsuura?
Hi Angeli,
It depends on departure time at Tokyo. The last train to Kii-Katsuura from Nagoya departs at 12:58. You have to be Nagoya by this time and need to book a train that arrive at Nagoya by this time.
There are many Kodama that arrive in Nagoya by this time. But you cannot find that Platt Kodama is available for these Kodama until you will purchase it. If it’s not available, you have to pay single fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
Can I take it from Shin-Yokohama & exit at Nagoya?
Hi May san,
You can use it for Shin-Yokohama to Nagoya. It’s 7,900 yen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
is there any way I could buy Platt Kodama from other country, before getting to Japan? I’m Polish and will arrive to Nagoya in late May. I’d like to go the same day to Kyoto. If I’m not able to buy Platt Kodama online (or other way) before ma arrival to Japan, I’ll have to use regular Shinkansen service (or other mean of transport to Kyoto). Therefore, it would be great if it was possible to make aa earlier purchase. If not online, perhaps with help of a travel agency in Japan?
Best regards
Hi Bartek,
Sorry but you have to go to JR Tokai tours. Online service is available for Japanese residents only. Even if you understand Japanese, the ticket will be mailed to the address in Japan only.
You can purchase it at JR Tokai tours in Nagoya station. And also the current price is valid until March 10, 2017. This ticket may not be on sale after March 10. I will update if it will continue to sell after Mar 10.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi for this helpful information. I’ll return to your blog after the 10th of March to see if this offer is still valid.
Thank you for sharing this information.
I have one question though.
Platt Kodama has no mention about child fares. If I were to buy Platt Kodama tickets for our children, do I have to pay adult or child fare?
Hi Min Soo Seo,
You can pay child fare. You can find the fare at the fare table in the link below:
http://www.jrtours.co.jp/kodama/en/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your kind response.
However the web page is a bit confusing, because it states that the child fare is half of the regular JR adult fare while at the same time it states the adult fare for Platt Kodama.
So in conclusion, for my children I have to pay half of the regular JR fare and not the half of the Platt Kodama fare.
Hi Min,
Yes. Child fare is half of regular fare. It is not half of Platt Kodama rate.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com