[Updated as of September 2024] A thorough explanation of the Tokaido Shinkansen!
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The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Japan's three major metropolitan areas: Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. In this article, we will explain the features of the Tokaido Shinkansen, the differences between train types, and recommended ticket reservation methods so that even first-time users can ride with confi...
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Table of Contents
- 1. If you're traveling on the Tokaido Shinkansen, a hotel close to a Shinkansen station is convenient!
- 2. Basic information about the Tokaido Shinkansen
- 3. On-board facilities of the Tokaido Shinkansen
- 4. How to make reservations for the Tokaido Shinkansen
- 5. The best deals for hotel reservations are available on the official website
1. If you're traveling on the Tokaido Shinkansen, a hotel close to a Shinkansen station is convenient!
When traveling on the Tokaido Shinkansen, hotels located near Tokaido Shinkansen stations are very convenient! In addition to traveling by Shinkansen, you can also enjoy a convenient and comfortable hotel stay!
[Nagoya]
[Toyohashi]
[Shizuoka]
[Shin-Yokohama]
2. Basic information about the Tokaido Shinkansen
(1) The appeal of the Tokaido Shinkansen
The Tokaido Shinkansen is a train that travels Japan's golden route from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, and is designed to be safe, fast, frequent, punctual, and comfortable. If you visit Japan, be sure to try traveling on the Tokaido Shinkansen!
[Running section]
Tokyo Station - Shin-Osaka Station (17 stations in total)
[Safety]
Since opening, there have been zero accidents resulting in death or injury to customers.
[Maximum speed]
285km/h (177mph) (Tokyo-Shin-Osaka: 2 hours 21 minutes)
【frequency】
Up to 17 trains per hour
[Average delay time]
1.6 minutes/train (FY2023 results, including delays due to natural disasters, etc.)
(2) Types of seats on the Tokaido Shinkansen
There are three types of seats on the Tokaido Shinkansen: ① reserved seats, ② green seats, and ③ unreserved seats.
① Reserved seat
You can reserve seats in advance. This gives you peace of mind because you can be sure to get a seat even when it is crowded, and you can be assured that you will be seated next to each other even if you are traveling with a group of people. You can also change your seat or train as many times as you like as long as it is before the departure time of the train you are boarding. If you make an online reservation with "Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service ", you can easily make changes online as many times as you like without any fees!
2) Green seats
This is a luxury car that you can ride in by paying a special fee. The biggest feature is the spaciousness of the seats, and the seats are specially designed for green cars. Recommended for those who want to enjoy a special moment on the Tokaido Shinkansen!
③ Unreserved seats
The biggest attraction is the ease of being able to board any train at any time. The price of reserved seats varies depending on the season, but unreserved seats are the same throughout the year. However, seats are not guaranteed, so if the train is crowded and no seats are available, you will have to stand. Also, during Japan's three major holidays*, there are more trains that do not have unreserved seats. Please check the information in advance. For more information, click here.
*Japan's three major holidays: April 29th to May 5th, mid-August, and December 31st to January 3rd.
(3) Types of Tokaido Shinkansen
There are three types of trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama. Which train should you take for your ideal trip? I think many people are wondering this. In this chapter, we will explain the features of each train!
①Major differences by train type
[Number of stations]
The trains in order of the fewest number of stations they stop at are Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama.
[Time Required]
Due to the small number of stops, the Nozomi has the shortest travel time.
[Seat types]
All Tokaido Shinkansen trains consist of 16 cars, but the ratio of unreserved seats to reserved seats varies between Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama.
② "Nozomi"
・This is the main express train of the Tokaido Shinkansen line, with up to 12 trains per hour. All trains stop at the same stations, including Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, Shin-Yokohama Station, Nagoya Station, Kyoto Station, and Shin-Osaka Station.
・The types of seats are the same on all trains. (*Depending on the season, all cars may be reserved seats. For details, click here. )
Unreserved seats: cars 1-3, reserved seats: cars 4-7 and 11-16 are reserved seats, green seats: cars 8-10
・In principle, JAPAN RAIL PASS holders are not permitted to board the train, but they can pay an additional fee.
3. Hikari
・This train also stops at stations in medium-sized cities. There are two trains per hour, and the stations the train stops at vary depending on the train, so please pay attention to the stations the train stops at when you board!
・The seat types are the same on all trains.
Unreserved seats: cars 1-5, reserved seats: cars 6-7 and 11-16 are reserved seats, green seats: cars 8-10
・Those with a JAPAN RAIL PASS can also board the train.
4. "Kodama"
・This train stops at every Shinkansen station and runs two times per hour.
・The types of seats vary by train, so please check before boarding. Compared to "Nozomi" and "Hikari", "Green Car" has more unreserved seats. (Green Car is unified from car 8 to car 10.)
・Those with a JAPAN RAIL PASS can also board the train.
3. On-board facilities of the Tokaido Shinkansen
The Tokaido Shinkansen offers a wide range of services to ensure a comfortable journey. Here we will introduce some of the most convenient on-board services.
(1) Electrical outlet
One thing that is always a concern on long journeys is charging your electronic devices. On the Tokaido Shinkansen, not only all window seats (A and E seats) but also all seats on the latest N700S carriages are equipped with power outlets. This means you don't have to worry about your smartphone or laptop running out of charge during your Tokaido Shinkansen journey. It's great to be able to enjoy a comfortable trip without having to worry about your battery, even on long distances!
(2) Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is provided on Tokaido Shinkansen trains, so you can connect to the Internet at any time! It's very convenient for looking up information about tourist spots during your trip or for planning your next trip.
(3) Diaper-changing toilets
For families with small children, having a toilet where you can change diapers is very convenient!
The toilets are located on the Tokyo-facing deck of the odd-numbered cars. Of the two Western-style toilets, there is a foldable baby bed in the toilet with a baby sign.
4. How to make reservations for the Tokaido Shinkansen
To ride the Shinkansen in Japan, you must first purchase a ticket. There are several ways to purchase tickets for the Tokaido Shinkansen, each with its own characteristics. Below we will introduce the four most common methods.
(1) Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service
"Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service" is a service for customers from overseas that allows them to purchase Shinkansen tickets online, and reservations can be made in advance even from overseas. Reservations can be made through a dedicated app or website, and passengers can board without a ticket. If you do so before the departure time of the Shinkansen, you can also change your boarding train online. Since there is no need to line up at the station ticket counter or ticket machine, it is recommended for those who want to use the Shinkansen smoothly after arriving in Japan.
You can also get discounts by booking early, so you can enjoy great deals.
For more details, please see this article if you are interested in the features of the service and how to use it!
(2) Purchasing from a ticket machine
Multilingual ticket vending machines are installed at Tokaido Shinkansen stations. You can easily purchase tickets by following the instructions on the screen, and credit cards are also accepted. This is convenient when you don't have time to line up at the ticket counter or are in a hurry.
(3) Purchase at the counter
This is a way to purchase tickets directly at the ticket counter in the station after arriving in Japan. The attendant will ask you about your preferred date, time and seat, so even beginners can purchase tickets with ease.
(4) Recommended ways to ride
The most convenient and recommended option is "Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service"! You can reserve your ticket in advance and there is no need to go through any procedures at the station, so you can use your time efficiently. It is also a good deal in terms of cost.
5. The best deals for hotel reservations are available on the official website
The best deal for hotel reservations is to book through the official hotel website, which has a lowest price guarantee!
Please see the website of the hotel directly connected to the station introduced in this article here (click on the hotel name to go to the website)
Written by
Aichi
We provide trust, peace of mind, and safety through our sincere, high-quality service and our "customer first" philosophy, making the most of the railway network that supports Japan. We welcome customers from both Japan and abroad with the finest hospitality and the finest service to meet all their needs.
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