The shinkansen bullet train is Japan's engineering icon — trains running at 320 km/h with near-perfect punctuality (average annual delay: under 1 minute). Riding it is both a practical necessity and a genuine Japan experience. Here's everything you need to know.
The Main Shinkansen Lines
Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen: The busiest line — Tokyo → Nagoya → Kyoto → Osaka → Hiroshima → Fukuoka. Trains: Nozomi (fastest, not covered by JR Pass), Hikari (covered), Kodama (slowest, all stops). Tohoku Shinkansen: Tokyo → Sendai → Aomori. Hokuriku Shinkansen: Tokyo → Nagano → Kanazawa → Tsuruga (connecting to Osaka from 2024). Joetsu Shinkansen: Tokyo → Niigata. Hokkaido Shinkansen: Extends to Hakodate; full Sapporo connection from 2030.
Reserved vs. Unreserved Seats
Reserved (shitei-seki): Book a specific seat in advance — no extra charge with JR Pass; ¥530–¥840 additional fee if paying individually. Recommended during Golden Week, summer holidays, and any Friday evening. Unreserved (jiyū-seki): Sit anywhere in designated unreserved cars (check car numbers on the platform screen). May need to stand if trains are full. Valid for JR Pass holders at no extra charge. Green Car (first class): Wider seats, footrests, quieter. ¥1,000–¥3,000 supplement over standard.
How to Book
At any JR station ticket machine (English available) or ticket window (midori-no-madoguchi). Online: JR Pass holders book reserved seats via JR website or smart EX app. Foreign credit cards work at most JR machines. Book 1–2 months ahead for holiday period travel; same-day is fine for off-peak.
On Board Tips
Buy an ekiben (station bento box) from platform kiosks — one of Japan's great food traditions. Eating is allowed on shinkansen (unlike local trains). Seat recline: the button is at the top side of the armrest. Luggage racks exist above seats; large suitcases in overhead racks can obstruct other passengers — reserve a "large luggage space" seat for full-size bags (free but requires reservation).
Punctuality
The shinkansen's famous punctuality means: build buffer time around connections (usually 8–15 min minimum between shinkansen at a transfer station). An apology note is issued if a train is more than 1 minute late. In 60 years of operation, no shinkansen has ever had a passenger fatality from an accident.
Key Routes & Times
Tokyo → Kyoto: 2h15m (Nozomi) or 2h45m (Hikari). Tokyo → Osaka: 2h30m (Nozomi) or 3h (Hikari). Tokyo → Hiroshima: 4h (Nozomi) / 4h45m (Hikari). Tokyo → Fukuoka: 5h (Nozomi) / 6h (Hikari). Osaka → Hiroshima: 1h45m. Osaka → Fukuoka: 2h30m.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does the Shinkansen go?
The Nozomi Shinkansen reaches speeds up to 320 km/h (200 mph). The average journey speed including station stops is around 260 km/h — fast enough to travel Tokyo to Osaka (500km) in under 3 hours.
How much does the Shinkansen cost?
Tokyo to Kyoto costs ¥13,640 unreserved or ¥13,910 reserved. Tokyo to Osaka is ¥13,870 unreserved. Prices are fixed by JR and don't vary by booking date.
Can I eat on the Shinkansen?
Yes. Eating and drinking are permitted on the Shinkansen. Station ekiben (bento boxes) are a beloved part of the Shinkansen experience — each region produces its own specialty box available on the platform before boarding.
Do I need to reserve a seat on the Shinkansen?
Unreserved seats (自由席, jiyuuseki) are available on most services — no reservation needed, first come first served. Reserved seats guarantee your specific seat and are recommended for peak travel periods.