Japan Rail Ticket
The Japan Rail system covers the majority of cities in Japan. Being recognised as one of the most advanced rail network in the world, the Japan Shinkansen system is run by the JR companies (i.e. Japan Railways Companies), including JR East, JR West, JR Hokkaido, JR Central, JR Shikoku & JR Kyushu. Besides the Japan Shinkansen system, there are also a wide high speed rail network that is covering destinations to suburbs in Japan. Besides the official Japan Rail companies, some high speed rails in Japan are also run by different Japanese private railway companies.
What are the Shinkansen lines?
There are 9 Shinkansen lines in total in Japan. Starting from the west of Tokyo, the Tokaido Shinkansen line connects Tokyo station, Kyoto station and Osaka station; the famous Nozomi rapid JR trains are also running within this Shinkansen line. The Sanyo Shinkansen line connects Osaka to Fukuoka; it is an extension of the Tokaido Shinkansen line that certain Nozomi trains would take you from Tokyo to Fukuoka (Hakata). Zooming into Kyushu region, we now have the Kyushu Shinkansen, operating from Hakata to Kagoshima. Looking at the North and East of Tokyo, we will have 6 more Shinkansen lines. The Hokuriku Shinkansen and Joetsu Shikansen takes you from Tokyo to Kanazawa & Niigata respectively. The Tokoku Shinkansen offers services between Tokyo and Aomori, with 2 extension lines as Yamagata Shinkansen (from Fukushima) and Akita Shinkansen (from Morioka). Last but not least, we have the Hokkaido Shinkansen, offering services between Aomori and Hakodate. The Shinkansen trains are considered one of the fastest and cheapest ways to travel around Japan!
What are Nozomi trains?
Being famous of its operating speed, the Nozomi Shinkansen bullet trains run up to as fast as 300km/h (185 mph). The Kyoto bullet trains run from Tokyo Station all the way to Shin Osaka station or Kyoto station. The Nozomi bullet train is thus the fastest and smoothest way to travel from Tokyo station to Kyoto station and Shin Osaka station. Since it is not covered by the Whole Japan Rail Pass, booking the standalone ticket might be an easier option to experience the speed of the Kyoto bullet train ride. Despite being the fastest route, the Shinkansen Nozomi bullet trains also provides great onboard amenities.
Shinkansen Train Class
There are 2 types of train class offered by the Kyoto bullet train for you to travel on:
Green Car: Equivalent to the first class; with the higher ticket price, you may expect a seat with more comfort, quiet and space. You are also given complimentary drinks, snacks & newspaper on certain Shinkansen Nozomi trains which give you the best Nozomi trains travel experience with great onboard amenities. WiFi is available on the whole Shinkansen train.
Ordinary Car: The second class service. With the more affordable price, you may still expect a decent enough train travel experience with the high Japanese standard. Again, all the Shinkansen Nozomi trains offer WiFi and great onboard amenities.
Shinkansen Seat Types
There are 2 types of seat offered by the Shinkansen train:
Reserved Seat: Reserved seat means your seat is secured. You will have to reserve your seats in advance. You will have to board the exact train that you have made your seat reservations with designated seat, car number and train number, so you will not have to risk unreserved seats.
Non Reserved Seat: You will get a better flexibility with the Non Reserved Seat ticket as the train and seat are both not fixed. You cannot book the seats in advance. You may ride the non-reserved car on any trains on the designated travel date that you have booked for.
However, Shinkansen Nozomi trains on certain routes (i.e. Tokyo station to Kyoto station or Osaka station) might get very busy during the peak season, such as cherry blossoms season, and seats might be taken quick by foreign tourists so you will need to keep standing for your whole train route. Therefore, remember to plan in advance if you are taking non-reserved seat during a peak season. Recent Shinkansen luggage rules indicated that luggage with dimensions over 160 cm and under 250 cm would require special reservations, which is included in the JR pass if you have chosen this option. Bags over 250 cm, however, will not be allowed onboard the bullet train. Therefore, if you have huge luggages, even one huge bag, you may consider sending it through a luggage delivery service or else they may not be allowed onboard. Shinkansen & Express Train Tickets vs Japan Rail Pass Some of you might be deciding on different transport options of booking a standalone Shinkansen/Express Kyoto bullet train ride ticket or getting a unlimited travel Japan rail pass (JR pass). This really depends on your travel plan. If you have plans to take multiple Shinkansen trips and travel across multiple major cities in Japan, then no doubt getting a Japan rail pass will offer better value for money as it allows unlimited trips within the validity period. Otherwise, you can go for the standalone or one way trip tickets instead of the Japan rail pass that might better justify the cost. However, do pay attention to the validity period of the Japan rail pass.
Embark on Effortless Journeys with Japan Shinkanse Bullet Train
In the realm of travel efficiency, the Shinkansen stands tall as a beacon of speed, reliability, and modernity. Seamlessly connecting Japan's iconic destinations, the Shinkansen isn't just a mode of transport; it's a catalyst for unforgettable experiences. Opting for the Shinkansen translates to saving precious time, thanks to its world-renowned punctuality. Picture yourself gliding effortlessly through the picturesque Japanese landscape, all while enjoying the comfort of spacious interiors and cutting-edge technology. As a savvy traveller, choosing the Shinkansen means embracing efficiency without compromising on the beauty of the journey. Secure your Shinkansen tickets now to unlock the epitome of travel convenience, ensuring every moment of your Japan adventure is optimized for speed, style, and unforgettable memories. Elevate your travel game with the Shinkansen – where every trip is a seamless blend of efficiency and awe-inspiring landscapes.
How to book Shinkansen train tickets on Klook?
Planning on a day trip in Japan? Travelling by local Shinkansen bullet train in Japan has never been easier! Instead of visiting the ticket office, traveling across cities in Japan with local Nozomi trains journeys is simple with Klook. Book Shinkansen/Japan rail ticket/Japan rail pass (JR pass) with Klook to get ticket reservation in advance and skip the line & bypass language barriers at the station. We offer both one-way ticket and round trip bullet train tickets. If you are planning a day trip in central Tokyo, a round trip ticket may be a good choice. Besides English, our booking system also supports your local language so you may book with ease when planning your Japan trip. We partner with Japan Rail companies & Japan Rail bullet train operators to offer Japan Shinkansen bullet train and express train ride ticket across multiple cities in Japan, including but not limited to bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka, from Tokyo to Kyoto, from Osaka to Tokyo, from Kyoto to Tokyo, from Tokyo to Nagoya, from Nagoya to Tokyo, from from Osaka to Fukuoka, from Fukuoka to Osaka. How much does a bullet train ride from Kyoto to Tokyo cost? A standard fee for a one-way ticket from Kyoto to Tokyo costs around 160 USD during peak season. It might be possibly cheaper in Klook, so make sure to follow Klook for more discounts! Apart from one way trip, we also offer japan rail pass (JR pass) and other Japanese bullet train ride ticket for you to experience unlimited travel through all the trains across all JR lines in the Japan city center. Be sure to purchase the japan rail pass through Klook! One of our best sold tickets is the Kyoto station to Tokyo station rapid JR trains. If you are planning on a day trip in these two cities, don't hesitate and book your ticket on Klook now!
