Shinkansen Cost Guide

Main Route Prices (One Way, 2025)

Tokyo → Kyoto: ¥13,850 (Hikari) / ¥14,170 (Nozomi)
Tokyo → Osaka: ¥14,720 (Hikari) / ¥15,040 (Nozomi)
Tokyo → Hiroshima: ¥18,380
Tokyo → Fukuoka (Hakata): ¥22,220
Kyoto → Osaka: ¥1,430
Osaka → Hiroshima: ¥9,440

Reserved vs Unreserved

Unreserved (jiyuseki) seats cost ¥530 less. On busy routes during holidays, unreserved cars can be crowded. Reserved seats (¥530 more) are worth it for peace of mind.

Green Car (First Class)

Adds ¥5,000–10,000+ to most tickets. Wider seats, more legroom, quieter carriage. Worth it on long journeys if you value comfort.

How to Save

Hayatoku early-bird: Book 21+ days ahead for 10–35% discount on Nozomi (limited seats).
JR Pass: Worth it if doing multiple intercity routes. See the JR Pass guide.
Regional passes: Kansai Area Pass much cheaper than individual tickets for Kyoto–Osaka–Nara.

vs Budget Airlines

For Tokyo–Fukuoka or Tokyo–Sapporo, budget airlines (Peach, Jetstar) can be ¥5,000–10,000 vs ¥22,000+ shinkansen. Factor in airport time and baggage fees. — book via Kiwi.com for the best deal.