Taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka
- japansophy
- Oct 20
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 10
Everything you need to know about this classic Kanto-Kansai route
If you are planning a trip along Japan's iconic Golden Route, the Tōkaidō Shinkansen is your fastest, most comfortable option. The Tōkaidō route runs between Tokyo and Osaka with stops in major cities such as Yokohama, Nagoya and - especially interesting for tourists - Kyoto.
Now, we have covered most of the basics in our article on Taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, so click on that link to read all about where to sit to see Mount Fuji, the Green Car experience, how to buy your tickets, and boarding procedures in Tokyo. In this article, we want to look specifically at travelling by Shinkansen to/from Osaka, Japan's dazzling food capital.
Contents
If you’re looking for general tips on how to use the Shinkansen — tickets, etiquette, eating on board — check out our complete Shinkansen guide first.
What Shinkansen do I take to Osaka from Tokyo?
The Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo is entirely on the Tōkaidō line and is served by the same three train types you encounter on the Kyoto route. Your choice dictates your total travel time and, critically, whether you can use a Japan Rail Pass. As you can see from the diagram below, the Nozomi train makes the fewest stops but it's not included in the Japan Rail Pass.
✨ Our top tip for taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka
When you are booking your Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Osaka, check the JR timetable first (available on the website as a pdf file; you're looking for the "Westbound" timetable) or ask at the ticket office and book a ticket on a Shinkansen that has Osaka as its end station ("shūten", 終点). A lot of the Shinkansen on this route travel further on to Okayama, Hiroshima or even Hakata in Kyushu, stopping at Shin-Osaka for just two minutes. If you book a train that has its final stop in Osaka, you'll not have to worry about listening out for your stop coming up and you'll have more time to gather your belongings and exit the train.
This tip applies to the Nozomi and Hikari trains. The Kodama trains that travel as far as Osaka at all generally have Shin-Osaka as their end destination anyway.
How long does the Osaka-Tokyo Shinkansen take?
Because it makes the fewest stops, the Nozomi Shinkansen is the fastest train between Tokyo and Osaka. It takes only 2 hours 30 minutes, so around 10 minutes longer than the same train from Tokyo to Kyoto.
The Hikari takes 3 hours between Osaka and Tokyo, which is of interest to Japan Rail Pass holders, since this is the fastest Shinkansen option without paying extra for the speed of the Nozomi.
At around 4 hours, the Kodama is the slowest option but heavily discounted Kodama fares may make it worth your while.
Departure and arrival in Tokyo and Osaka
Tokyo
In Tokyo, you will still board from either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station. For detailed platform and boarding instructions, take a look at our Tokyo-Kyoto Shinkansen guide.
Osaka
Here's the vital thing to know: no Shinkansen trains stop at the main Osaka Station (often called Osaka-Umeda). All bullet trains on the Tōkaidō line stop at Shin-Osaka Station (新大阪駅).
Shin-Osaka is a large, modern hub built specifically for the Shinkansen, which makes it easy to navigate, but unless your hotel is near Shin-Osaka (and we advise you against booking a hotel in this area! See our guide on where to stay in Osaka), you will need to take a taxi or hop on another train to reach your final destination in the city.
Getting from Shin-Osaka to central Osaka (Umeda/Namba)
You're likely to be staying in central Osaka, in the northern hub of Umeda or further south in Namba... or in any case will want to see more of Osaka than Shin-Osaka station! If you are travelling with luggage (see our article on Japan's excellent luggage delivery service to find out more about travelling hands-free), your best bet is to take a taxi. You will find a taxi rank in front of the south exit of Shin-Osaka station; turn left for the "jumbo" taxi rank for more than 2-3 people and a larger amount of luggage. A taxi to Umeda should cost around 2000 yen or around 4000 yen to Namba, depending on traffic, time of day and how big the taxi is.
If you're travelling light and heading to the Umeda area, you can take either the JR line to Osaka Station or the Midosuji Line to Umeda Station: these two stations are right beside each other but taking JR is better if your destination is to the west of the Umeda hub and taking the Midosuji line is handier for eastern or southern Umeda. The journey in either case take just a few minutes and costs around 160 yen (as at October 2025; subject to change).
To head further south to the main downtown area of Namba/Dotonbori, you will take the Midosuji subway line directly from Shin-Osaka to Namba Station. This takes around 20 minutes and costs approx. 240 yen (as at October 2025; subject to change). Be aware, though, that this is Osaka's busiest line and can be incredibly full at certain times of the day.
Getting to/from Shin-Osaka to Itami and Kansai International (KIX) airports
The JR Haruka Express directly links Shin-Osaka Shinkansen station and Kansai International Airport. The journey takes around 50 minutes and costs 3270 yen one-way (as at Oct. 2025; subject to change). Otherwise, there are various non-direct constellations, involving the Nankai Limited Express to Namba and the Midosuji line to Shin-Osaka or a limousine bus to Umeda and the JR Kyoto Line or the Midosuji line from there to Shin-Osaka.
The cheapest, most convenient option between Itami Airport and Shin-Osaka is the direct limousine bus service, which takes around 25 minutes and costs around 500 yen (as at October 2025; subject to change).
How much is the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka?
Since the distance from Tokyo to Osaka is not a lot more than from Tokyo to Kyoto (just 10 mins longer), the prices are not so different either. You can expect to pay just under 14,000 yen for non-reserved seats and around 1000 yen more for reserved seats (as at Oct. 2025; subject to change). You can take advantage of special advance-purchase discounts if you book ahead of time through the Smart Ex official Shinkansen booking platform. Tickets are one-way (there is generally no discount for return fares) and for standard class. First class (Green Car) tickets usually cost around 2000 yen more on this route.
Is it better to fly or take the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka?
Because Kyoto has no airport of its own, in our article on travelling between Tokyo and Kyoto we advised readers that the Shinkansen is the faster, more convenient option. Since Osaka has a veritable wealth of airports (well, OK, two!), the situation is less clear-cut and flying can be a better option. Certainly, we would advise flying between the two destinations if you are connecting to a flight or coming off a flight and are in the airport anyway. This applies in particular if you have a lot of luggage (Exception: if the airline is going to charge you for your luggage - each passenger is allowed to take two suitcases and a piece of hand-luggage onto the Shinkansen for free). Flying between Tokyo and Osaka will really only be more convenient if you use Haneda and Itami airports, since the transfer between central Tokyo and Narita / between central Osaka and KIX can be relatively expensive and eats up a lot of time. One-way flights between Itami and Haneda start at around 10,000 yen, which represents considerable savings on the regular Shinkansen ticket. In favour of taking the Shinkansen, we would say that, taking check-in, security, boarding and the time it takes to get from the airport to the city centre into consideration, the Shinkansen is still considerably more time-efficient and more convenient, plus you might find any cash saving being eaten up by the cost of checking in luggage and paying for expensive transfers to/from the airport.
Tokyo ⇄ Osaka Shinkansen FAQs
How long does the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka take?
The fastest Shinkansen Tokyo to Kyoto option is the Nozomi, which takes about 30 minutes. Hikari trains take around 3 hours, while Kodama trains take approximately 4 hours.
Can I use the Japan Rail Pass for the Tokyo to Osaka train?
Yes, but with limits. The JR Pass covers Hikari and Kodama trains on the Tokyo to Osaka bullet train route, but it does not cover the faster Nozomi service. The Hikari service takes only 30 minutes more than the Nozomi, however.
Where do I catch the Shinkansen in Tokyo and Osaka?
In Tokyo, the bullet train to Osaka departs from Tokyo Station, stopping in Shinagawa Station. In Osaka, all Shinkansen arrive at Shin-Osaka Station, which is a little outside the city centre but is well connected to the city’s attractions.
Which side of the train has the best Mt. Fuji view?
If you’re traveling from Tokyo to Osaka, sit on the right-hand side of the train for the best chance to see Mt. Fuji, especially on a clear day. Sit on the left if you're travelling from Osaka to Tokyo.
Is the bullet train better than flying from Tokyo to Osaka?
It depends on which airport you are using and what the baggage allowances on the plane are. The Tokyo to Osaka Shinkansen is faster overall because you avoid airport transfers, check-in, and security lines. It’s also more comfortable, with spacious seating and frequent departures. Flights between Itami in Osaka and Haneda in Tokyo may be cheaper, though, and are certainly worth thinking about if you are connecting to/from a flight anyway.
Can I take the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo as a day trip?
Absolutely. Many travelers do an Osaka to Tokyo or Tokyo to Osaka day trip thanks to the short travel time. Early morning and late evening trains make it possible to enjoy a full day in either city. But both of these destinations offer so much to see and do, you may well find that one day is not long enough.
Do I need to book in advance?
You don't have to book in advance: you can buy tickets just before you depart, but advance purchase is advisable, especially for peak travel times (for example, public holidays), or if you want to make sure you can reserve a particular seat, such as the left-hand side to see Mount Fuji or the seats at the end of the car with space for luggage. By booking in advance through the official Shinkansen booking portal, Smart Ex, you can also take advantage of discount prices.
How much does the Tokyo to Osaka Shinkansen cost?
The Tokyo to Osaka Shinkansen price will depend on what sort of ticket you need (reserved seat vs unreserved, Green Car vs ordinary class) and how far in advance you can book, but generally you can expect a one-way ticket for the Tokyo to Osaka Shinkansen to cost around 14,000 - 15,000 yen.
How do I get to my hotel in Osaka from the Shinkansen?
Shin-Osaka station, the only Shinkansen station in Osaka, is a little ways outside the city centre so you will have to transfer to either the JR Kyoto Line or Midosuji subway line to go to the Umeda area or to the Midosuji Line for the Namba/Dotonbori area. Since the Midosuji Line is the busiest of Osaka's subway lines, we suggest taking a taxi, especially if you have a lot of luggage or are nervous about navigating several of Osaka's most congested, convoluted transport hubs.
So, did you catch a fleeting glimpse of Mount Fuji on your journey to Osaka from Tokyo? Let us know in the comments. Still planning your trip? Check out our other articles and free planning resources, including our Ultimate Guide to using the Shinkansen!
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