Bullet Train
The bullet train is yet another part of the Tokyo transport system that never ceases to amaze. First built in 1964 for the Japan Olympics, the Shinkansen has gone from strength to strength and now acts as a super fast land connection to the majority of cities in Japan.
Bullet Train Tips
If you want to travel to other parts of Japan from Tokyo and you don't fancy a flight, the bullet train may be the answer you are looking for. It's not the cheapest option, but if you've always dreamed of getting on this world famous train, now's your opportunity.
If you have purchased a Japan Rail Pass and are traveling on from Tokyo, you can exchange your Rail Pass voucher inside Tokyo airport at the JR travel office. You can the use this on any of the bullet trains except for the Nozomi - the fastest one.
It isn't possible to reserve seats for the shinkansen trains outside Japan. If you want to travel to other parts of the country you should book your seats as soon as possible on arrival to avoid disappointment. You can do this as soon as you land at Narita Airport at the JR office inside the terminals. At certain times of year, particularly Golden Week and Obon, there may be standing room only, or worse, they may be fully booked. Guarantee your seat then you can sit back and enjoy the ride.
Also remember that depending on where you are going, some bullet trains will get busier during commuter rush hours as some people travel long distance to come to work in Tokyo. Check here for some more shinkansen facts.
Shinkansen Routes, Map and Trains
From Tokyo, different bullet trains run North, South and West to different regions of Japan. The routes from Tokyo are shown in our shinkansen map and outlined in the list below:
- Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Line. This is perhaps the most popular route of all the bullet trains, as it includes the Kyoto and Osaka run. There are 3 trains that operate on this line: the Nozomi - in English 'Hope', the Hikari - 'light', and the Kodama. The Nozomi is the fastest of these trains traveling at speeds of up to 300kmh. This is the only bullet train that you are not able to use your Japan Rail Pass on.
- The Nozomi takes about 2.5 hours from Tokyo to Osaka or 5 hours from Tokyo to Fukuoka, and makes the least number of stops. The Hikari takes approximately 3 hours to reach Osaka with a couple more stops. If you are heading down to Kyushu, you will need to change trains. The Kodama is the local version and is generally not used for long distances. It is great for some of the day trips available from Tokyo such as Hakone, Mount Fuji,or Himeji Castle.
- Joetsu Shinkansen Line. This line connects Tokyo with Niigata to the East. The Toki bullet train
takes about 2 hours from Tokyo Station to Niigata. If you are a skiier or snowboarder you may well be interested in the Tanigawa train. This train also leaves from Tokyo Station but only goes as far as Echigo-Yuzawa, the location of the ski resort Gala-Yuzawa.
- Nagano Shinkansen Line. There is only one train to worry about on this line, the Asama bullet train. This track includes a stop at another beautiful day trip location or short stay break from Tokyo, Karuizawa. Traveling the full length of the line to Nagano City takes about 2 hours from Tokyo.
- Yamagata Shinkansen Line. The Tsubasa train connects Tokyo to Yamagata and Shinjo. Tokyo to Yamagata is approximately 3 hours.
- Tohoku Shinkansen Line. If you are heading North, this is the line you will need. There are 3 bullet trains that travel this route. The Hayate train is the fastest and travels through Sendai and Morioka to Hachinohe. In total this is about 3 hours. Next in line is the Yamabiko train. Similar to the Hikari, this makes a few more stops and often terminates at Morioka - make sure you confirm your final destination. The third train is basically a fast local train - the Nasuno. If you're going to visit Nikko during your Tokyo vacation, the Nasuno is an option you may consider.
The JR East website provides comprehensive information showing you how many stops are on each line along with fare prices and timetables.
