It’s very easy to travel between Tokyo and Osaka. The Shinkansen (bullet train) is the quickest and easiest way to get between the two cities and takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs Y13,620. Besides the Shinkansen, you can also get between the two cities by Willer Express Buss, but for the purposes of this blog, I will focus on all the important details you will need to know about traveling from Tokyo to Osaka by Bullet Train or Shinkansen.
Details about this Shinkansen route
The best way to travel between Tokyo and Osaka is the shinkansen (bullet train). The fastest type of shinkansen, which is called the Nozomi, takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs Y13,620 for a one-way trip in an unreserved seat. However, you cannot ride the Nozomi shinkansen with a Japan Rail Pass, but you can ride the next fastest type of shinkansen, which is called the Hikari. The Hikari takes about 2 hours and 53 minutes between Tokyo and Osaka, so it’s almost as fast. Just be sure not take the slowest type of shinkansen (the Kodama) as it stops a lot and is much slower. If you’re paying cash, then of course you should opt for the Nozomi to save yourself 23 minutes.
In Tokyo, you can catch the Shinkansen at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station. All Shinkansen stop at both stations. I like to get on at Tokyo Station because it’s the first station so I can usually get a seat. In the opposite direction, if I’m coming from Kyoto and want to switch to the Narita Express, I sometimes switch at Shinagawa, because it’s a short walk from the Shinkansen platforms to the Narita Express platforms at Shinagawa and it’s a LONG hike at Tokyo Station. This would also hold true in the opposite direction (ie, if you want to switch between the Narita Express and the Shinkansen and go straight to Osaka, it’s easier to switch at Shinagawa). In Osaka, the shinkansen operates from Shin-Osaka Station, which is inconveniently located a few kilometers north of the true downtown. Luckily, Shin-Osaka is on the Midosuji subway line, which stops in downtown Osaka (Umeda, Honmachi, Shinsaibashi, Namba, Tennoji, etc).
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Train Services
Nozomi Shinkansen-The fastest option, taking around 2 hours and 30 minutes. It only stops at major stations like Shinagawa, Nagoya, and Kyoto, before ending at Shin-Osaka Station. A one-way ticket for the Nozomi train costs approximately ¥14,720 for an unreserved seat and around ¥15,520 for a reserved seat.
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Hikari Shinkansen-Slightly slower, taking about 3 hours with more stops.
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Kodama Shinkansen-The slowest, stopping at every station along the route and taking about 4 hours.
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Do You Need to Reserve Seats/Purchasing Tickets
Normally, you don’t need a reserved ticket to get a seat on the Shinkansen. You can just show up, buy an unreserved ticket, and board the next Shinkansen going your way. However, if you are traveling at rush hour (between 7am and 9am and 4pm and 7pm) or during peak travel seasons (31 Dec-3 Jan; the first week of May and mid-August), you should consider buying reserved tickets in advance. With a Japan Rail Pass, you can make reservations at any JR ticket window, up to one month in advance of your travel. You cannot reserve from overseas. HINT: If you have unreserved tickets and you find that the unreserved cars are full on the next train heading out, just stand in line at the boarding spot for the next train so you can board it first – this will usually guarantee a seat and you probably won’t have to wait more than 15 minutes. If you use Klook to book your Tokyo to Osaka tickets online you can make seat reservations at the time of booking.
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If you haven't pre-booked your Shinkansen tickets in Japan, you can easily purchase them at the following places:
Ticket Counters (Midori no Madoguchi): These are staffed ticket offices located at most JR (Japan Rail) stations, including Shinkansen stations. Here, you can buy tickets from a JR staff member.
Ticket Machines: Most Shinkansen stations have self-service ticket machines. They offer an English language option and accept various forms of payment, including cash and credit cards.
JR Travel Service Centers (View Plaza): These are available at major JR stations and provide full travel services, including Shinkansen tickets.
Convenience Stores: Some convenience stores, like 7-Eleven and Lawson, have terminals where you can purchase Shinkansen tickets.
Smart EX or JR East app: If you're in Japan and have a smartphone, you can also use apps like Smart EX (for JR Central and JR West) or JR East's "Ekinet" to book tickets directly.
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Shinkansen Schedules and Timetables
During the day, there are several Shinkansens every hour between Osaka and Kyoto. You rarely have to wait more than 10 minutes for a train. The approximate first and last departures are listed below:
Westbound (Tokyo to Osaka): 6:00am first / 9:23pm last
Eastbound (Osaka to Tokyo): 6:00am first / 9:23pm last
In Tokyo, the Shinkansen departs from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station. In Osaka, it arrives at Shin-Osaka Station, which is slightly north of the central Osaka area but well-connected by local trains. Visit this website to get updated information on your Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Status.
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The Tokaido Shinkansen Line
The Tokaido Shinkansen line also marks a turning point in railroad history. In 1964, it became the first high-speed rail line in the world. More than half a century later, the Tokaido Shinkansen line remains at the forefront of railway technology. It is also still tied to Japan’s rich history. Did you know? The Tokaido is named after the main road that connected Japan’s former capital of Kyoto with its current capital of Tokyo during the Edo Period. Read on to discover how the Tokaido is still connecting these great cities.
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The Tokaido Shinkansen is the most-used shinkansen line in Japan. Trains depart every few minutes from most stations along the route. These include Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Odawara, Atami, Mishima, Shin-Fuji, Shizuoka, Kakegawa, Hamamatsu, Toyohasi, Mikawa-Anjo, Nagoya, Gifu-Hashima, Maibara, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka Stations. The trains are extremely comfortable, with spacious seating, food and drink options available on board, and free Wi-Fi in some areas. The views along the way can also include iconic sights like Mount Fuji, if the weather is clear.
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Willer Express Bus
You can save a lot of money by taking a Willer Express bus between Tokyo and Osaka. These buses take around 8 hours and cost about Y7,000. In Tokyo, these buses operate from the Willer bus terminal in West Shinjuku (and some other locations, see the site for details). In Osaka, these buses operate from the Willer Bus Terminal at the Umeda Sky Building in Kita. For more information and online ticket purchase in English, visit the Willer Express Bus site. There are other night buses between Tokyo and Osaka which you can book online too.
JR Night Bus
Another cheap option for traveling between Tokyo and Osaka is a JR night bus. These night buses take about 8 hours minutes and cost an average of Y9,500. In Tokyo, they leave from the JR bus terminal outside the Yaesu South Exit in front of Tokyo Station. In Osaka, they leave from the JR bus terminal at JR Osaka Station. Unfortunately, there is no English-language site for JR highway buses. So, for inquiries and ticket purchase, go to any JR ticket window or any travel agent in Japan.
Shinkansen vs Bus
Traveling from Tokyo to Osaka offers two primary options: Shinkansen (bullet train) and bus, each with distinct pros and cons. Traveling from Tokyo to Osaka offers two primary options: Shinkansen (bullet train) and bus, each with distinct pros and cons. It takes Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours by Bullet Train, and costs ¥13,000 to ¥15,000 (one-way, depending on the service). Shinkansen offers a comfortable way to travel with Spacious seating, a clean, smooth ride, with food and drinks available on board. Quiet car options are available. Shinkansen offers very frequent, Direct travel from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station with minimal stops, well-connected to the subway and local transportation. You can reserve seats or use unreserved cars on most trains. You can also get scenic views of Mt Fuji and the countryside along the way. Shinkansen is ideal for those prioritizing speed and comfort, while the bus is a good choice for budget-conscious travelers who don't mind the longer trip, especially with the overnight option to save on accommodation. Varies based on the bus; some buses offer reclining seats, footrests, and privacy curtains. Basic buses might be cramped for long rides. Some buses provide rest stops, but limited movement compared to the train. Buses typically arrive at Osaka station, though routes and companies vary. Reservations are required in advance, especially for overnight buses. Taking in comfort and time, the Shinkansen is clearly the better option, because it only takes around 2.5 hours to get to Osaka from Tokyo, whereas if you take the bus, it will take between 8 to 10 hours.
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