Ultimate Guide to the Shinkansen: Riding Japan's High-Speed Bullet Train

Everything You Need to Know About Train Travel in Japan

Japan's Shinkansen bullet train system represents the pinnacle of high-speed train travel. Whether you're traveling from Tokyo to Osaka or exploring northern Japan, this comprehensive shinkansen guide will help you navigate the bullet train in Japan with confidence.

Key Takeaways for Riding the Shinkansen

• Lightning-fast travel across Japan: The high-speed shinkansen bullet train reaches speeds up to 320 km/h, connecting major cities throughout eastern Japan, western Japan, central Japan, and beyond. The journey from Tokyo to Osaka takes just ~2.5 hours on the fastest trains.
• Japan Rail Pass restrictions: The Japan Rail Pass is only for temporary visitors entering Japan on tourist visas. Foreign residents must purchase regular train tickets, though some regional passes now accept foreign passport holders regardless of residency status.
• Typical costs: A one-way shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Osaka costs approximately ¥14,720 for a reserved seat during standard periods—significantly more expensive than a regular train but dramatically faster.
• Luggage requirements: Suitcases over 160 cm (sum of dimensions) require advance seat reservation with designated luggage space. Without proper reservations, a ¥1,000 surcharge applies when boarding the shinkansen.
• 2024–2025 updates: The Hokuriku Shinkansen expanded to Fukui in March 2024. With Osaka's Expo 2025 approaching, demand for the bullet train in Japan continues to surge.

Why the Shinkansen Bullet Train Matters in 2025

The Japanese bullet train network, operated by Japan Railways (JR), enables unprecedented connectivity across the country. These trains connect economic hubs from Kyushu to Hokkaido, making cross-country travel feasible in hours. The shinkansen trains offer world-class punctuality, safety, and comfort that define modern rail travel.

Over 90% of Japan's population lives within 25 km of a train station, reflecting how integral railways in Japan are to daily life. The high-speed shinkansen represents the crown jewel of this system. As of 2025, ridership has returned to pre-pandemic levels since the shinkansen opened for post-COVID recovery, and JR companies continue investing in expansion.

The March 2024 Hokuriku Shinkansen extension now links Tokyo directly to Fukui Prefecture in northern Japan. Meanwhile, policy shifts—including the 2023 Japan Rail Pass price hike—have prompted foreign residents to seek alternatives when they buy shinkansen tickets. Rail companies are responding with special regional passes, making it easier to choose the shinkansen for domestic exploration.

How to Buy Shinkansen Tickets: Complete Guide

Understanding Your Ticket Options

When you buy tickets for the shinkansen, you'll receive two separate tickets: a basic fare ticket and an express surcharge ticket. Here's what you need to know:

• Reserved seats (指定席): These guarantee your spot on a specific train—essential for long trips or peak travel times. Seat reservations can be made up to one month in advance.
• Unreserved seats (自由席): These are cheaper first-come, first-served options, typically in the first few cars. During holidays, unreserved seats on the shinkansen can fill quickly, and you might stand for hours.
• All-reserved trains: Some services like the Hayabusa (along the Tohoku line to northern Japan) require reservations. Missing your reserved train makes your ticket valid only for unreserved cars on later trains that day.

Seat Classes on Shinkansen Trains

• Ordinary class: Excellent standard seating—clean, quiet, and spacious on all shinkansen trains.
• Green Car: First-class seating with wider seats and extra legroom (~50% more expensive). Japan Rail Pass holders can upgrade for a fee.
• Gran Class: The premium tier with recliner seats and attendant service on select routes along the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines.

Where to Purchase Shinkansen Tickets

• At the station: Tickets at the station can be purchased from ticket machines (all have English options) or staffed counters (Midori-no-Madoguchi). You can also make seat reservations at these locations.
• Online booking: JR East's Eki-net and JR Central's SmartEX let you purchase shinkansen tickets, reserve seats, and receive e-tickets. The Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen online reservation service covers western routes. These platforms allow you to buy shinkansen tickets from home and skip lines at the station.
• Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen online: This integrated reservation system covers Japan's busiest corridors, making it easy to book seats on the shinkansen for long-distance travel.
• Advance booking: Tickets can be purchased starting one month before departure at 10:00 JST. Peak-season trains sell out instantly, so reservations can be made early to guarantee a seat.

Rail Pass Options

The Japan Rail Pass works only for tourists arriving in Japan on temporary visitor status. Foreign residents generally cannot use it. However:

• Some regional passes accept foreign passport holders regardless of visa
• JR West's Kansai WIDE Area Pass targets residents
• Student discounts (学割) offer 20% off base fares on trips over 100 km
• Japan Rail Pass holders can ride most trains but must avoid certain Nozomi and Mizuho trains (or pay supplements)

Major Shinkansen Lines and Train Categories

Understanding the Shinkansen Route Map

Japan's bullet train network radiates from Tokyo, connecting all major regions. Here are the main lines and train categories:

Tokaido Shinkansen: Tokyo to Osaka

The busiest shinkansen route in the world, the Tokaido Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Osaka via Nagoya and Kyoto. This is the backbone of train travel in Japan for business and tourism.

Train categories:

• Nozomi trains: Fastest service, Tokyo to Osaka in ~2.5 hours (not covered by standard Japan Rail Pass)
• Hikari trains: Semi-express taking ~3 hours, accessible to Japan Rail Pass holders
• Kodama trains: All-stops service along the Tokaido Shinkansen

Sanyo Shinkansen: Osaka to Fukuoka

Extending west from Osaka, the Sanyo Shinkansen reaches Hiroshima and Hakata (Fukuoka) in western Japan. Nozomi and Mizuho trains are fastest (Osaka–Hakata in ~2h20). Through-service connects directly from Tokyo without transfers.

Kyushu Shinkansen: Southern Routes

The Kyushu Shinkansen online reservation service covers routes from Hakata to Kagoshima (~1h20). The newer Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (opened 2022) connects Takeo-Onsen to Nagasaki in ~30 minutes.

Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen: Northern Japan

The Tohoku Shinkansen runs north from Tokyo to Aomori, with the Yamagata Shinkansen branching west. The Hokkaido Shinkansen continues via undersea tunnel to Hakodate. Fastest Hayabusa trains reach Sendai in ~1.5 hours, with Sapporo extension coming by 2030.

Hokuriku Shinkansen: Tokyo to Northern Coast

Along the Hokuriku Shinkansen, trains connect Tokyo to Kanazawa, Toyama, and Fukui—perfect for accessing northern Japan's coast and ski regions. The Sanyo Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen together enable coast-to-coast journeys across Japan.

Joetsu Shinkansen: Tokyo to Niigata

This JR train line reaches Niigata in ~2 hours, providing access to ski country and Sado Island in northern Japan.

How to Ride the Shinkansen: Step-by-Step

Before Boarding the Shinkansen

• Arrive early: Get to the station 10-15 minutes before departure. The bullet train in Japan leaves exactly on schedule.
• Navigate to shinkansen platforms: Follow signs for "Shinkansen" (often separate from regular train gates). At major stations like Tokyo, shinkansen ticket gates are clearly marked.
• Pass through gates: Insert your two tickets together (base fare + express ticket) or tap your IC card for e-tickets.

Finding Your Train at Shinkansen Platforms

• Check departure boards: Look for your train number and track assignment. Shinkansen platforms may be on different levels from regular JR train platforms.
• Locate your car: Floor markings show where each car stops. Look for reserved (指定席) or unreserved (自由席) designations. Queue at the correct car number to ensure smooth boarding onto a train.
• Oversized luggage: If you reserved an oversized baggage seat, proceed directly to your designated car and row.

Boarding the Shinkansen Train

• Disembarking passengers exit first
• Board swiftly—doors close exactly one minute before departure
• Stow luggage in overhead racks (medium bags) or end-of-car spaces (large bags)
• Settle into your seat and keep tickets accessible

During Your Journey from Tokyo (or elsewhere)

Amenities used on the shinkansen:

• Free Wi-Fi (though speeds vary with passenger load)
• Power outlets (all window seats, most newer trains)
• Clean restrooms with baby changing facilities
• Vending machines and trolley service on some trains

Etiquette: Eating is perfectly acceptable—try an ekiben bento! Keep voices low, use headphones for media, and take phone calls in the vestibule between cars.

Scenic highlights:

• Along the Tokaido Shinkansen: Views of Mt. Fuji (on clear days)
• Along the Sanyo Shinkansen: Inland Sea coastal scenery
• Along the Hokuriku Shinkansen: Snow-capped mountains

Arriving at Your Destination

Announcements come ~5 minutes before stops. Gather belongings, exit promptly, and pass through gates by inserting tickets (they'll be collected) or tapping IC cards.

Best Practices for Train Travel in Japan

Common Mistakes When Traveling from Tokyo to Osaka (and Beyond)

• Not reserving during peak periods: Golden Week, Obon, and New Year see trains sell out completely. Reserve seats early—booking opens one month in advance to guarantee a seat.
• Oversized luggage without proper reservations: Bags over 160 cm need advance booking for designated spaces. Without this, you'll face ¥1,000 charges and difficulty storing items when boarding the shinkansen.
• Cutting it close: Missing your reserved train means your ticket becomes nearly worthless for that departure. Arrive 10+ minutes early at shinkansen platforms.

Shinkansen Facts: What Makes These Trains Special

• Safety record: Zero passenger fatalities from accidents since the shinkansen opened in 1964
• Punctuality: Average delay is under 1 minute across the network
• Speed: The high-speed train operates at up to 320 km/h
• Coverage: Shinkansen and limited express trains reach most major cities
• Operators: Train operated by JR East (eastern routes), JR Central (Tokaido), JR West (western routes), and others

Tips for Using the Shinkansen Effectively

• Choosing your route: Use the shinkansen route map at stations or apps like Jorudan to plan connections. Most routes along the tokaido and sanyo shinkansen lines offer frequent departures.
• Booking strategy: Seat reservations for free aren't available, but changing reservations once before departure costs nothing. Seats on shinkansen trains in Green Car offer extra comfort for ~50% more.
• Peak travel: Avoid Friday evenings Tokyo-bound, Sunday nights Osaka-bound, and major holidays. Travel mid-morning or late evening for better availability.
• Regional passes: While you cannot use the full Japan Rail Pass as a resident, you can also make seat reservations using regional passes that accept foreign passport holders.

Checklist: Your First Shinkansen Journey

Planning Your Trip

☐ Decide destination and consult shinkansen route map
☐ Check which train line serves your route (JR East, JR Central, JR West)
☐ Verify departure times and frequency
☐ Consider if you need reserved or unreserved seats on the shinkansen

Purchasing Tickets

☐ Choose where to buy: tickets at the station, online (Eki-net, SmartEX), or Kyushu Shinkansen online reservation service
☐ Select seat type (ordinary, Green Car, unreserved)
☐ Buy shinkansen tickets at least several days early for peak travel
☐ Verify you have both fare tickets (base + express)
☐ If eligible, check for regional passes or student discounts

Day of Travel

☐ Arrive at station 10-15 minutes early
☐ Locate shinkansen ticket gates
☐ Pass through gates with tickets or IC card
☐ Find your platform using departure boards
☐ Navigate to correct car on shinkansen platforms
☐ Queue at floor markings for your car number

Boarding and Riding

☐ Let passengers exit before boarding the shinkansen
☐ Stow luggage appropriately (overhead or end spaces)
☐ Settle into seats on the shinkansen
☐ Keep tickets accessible for conductor checks
☐ Enjoy amenities: Wi-Fi, power outlets, food and drinks
☐ Follow etiquette: quiet voices, no phone calls at seats

Arrival

☐ Gather belongings 5 minutes before stop
☐ Exit promptly when train stops
☐ Pass through exit gates (insert tickets or tap IC)
☐ Follow transfer signs if continuing on another JR train or regular train

FAQ: Guide to the Shinkansen

Can foreign residents use the Japan Rail Pass?

Generally no—the pass is for tourists on short-term visas only. Foreign residents with work/student/spouse visas cannot purchase Japan Rail Pass. However, some regional passes are available to foreign passport holders regardless of residency status. Check JR West and JR East for special offers that let you also make seat reservations at discounted rates.

What's the best way to buy shinkansen tickets in English?

The easiest methods:

• Station machines: Tickets and seat reservations can be made at machines with English menus
• Online: Eki-net (JR East), SmartEX (JR Central), and the Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen online reservation system all offer English interfaces
• Counters: Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket offices have some English-speaking staff

Do I need to reserve seats on shinkansen trains?

You can ride unreserved cars on most trains operated by Japan Railways without booking, but seat reservations are recommended for:

• Long-distance trips like traveling from Tokyo to Osaka
• Peak travel periods when seats on shinkansen trains fill quickly
• Groups wanting to sit together
• Anyone wanting guaranteed comfort

Some express trains like Hayabusa require full reservations. If unreserved cars are full, you may have to stand until reaching your stop.

Can I bring large suitcases when boarding the shinkansen?

Yes, with rules:

• Under 160 cm total dimensions: Use overhead racks or end-of-car spaces freely
• 160-250 cm: Must reserve oversized baggage space in advance (free, but required)
• Over 250 cm: Cannot board

Many residents ship luggage via courier (takkyubin) to travel