Japan Shinkansen guide: routes and tickets

Detailed line, hub and train type, from Hokkaido to Kagoshima

Jingyi Zhang

Published: Sep 14, 2026

Updated: Sep 23, 2026

Japan Shinkansen guide: routes and tickets

Japan's Shinkansen network stretches roughly 3,000 km from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto in the north to Kagoshima-Chuo in the south, connecting major cities across Honshu and Kyushu at speeds of up to 320 km/h. For first-time visitors, it is often the easiest alternative to domestic flights on Japan's most popular routes. Tokyo to Kyoto takes about 2 hours 15 minutes, while Tokyo to Shin-Osaka takes around 2 hours 30 minutes, with convenient city-centre departures and arrivals.

This guide covers all nine Shinkansen lines and their major routes, the key stations you will use in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and the differences between express and all-stops services. It also explains how to choose between individual Shinkansen tickets and rail passes, so you can plan the right route and reserve your seats before your trip.

Understanding the Japan Shinkansen network and route map

Japan's Shinkansen network is easier to understand if you think of it as one main north-south backbone with several regional branches. The busiest corridor runs from Tokyo through Kyoto and Osaka to western Japan and Kyushu, while other lines extend north from Tokyo toward Tohoku and Hokkaido or branch toward the Japanese Alps and Sea of Japan coast. Every line is standard gauge, fully grade-separated and runs to the minute. The table below shows the popular routes, key hubs and express services on each line, so you can match a line to your itinerary at a glance.

Shinkansen Line	Popular routes	Key hubs	Key express trains
Tokaido Shinkansen	• Tokyo → Kyoto • Tokyo → Shin-Osaka • Nagoya → Kyoto	• Tokyo • Nagoya • Kyoto • Shin-Osaka	• Nozomi • Hikari • Kodama
Sanyo Shinkansen	• Shin-Osaka → Hiroshima • Shin-Osaka → Hakata • Hiroshima → Hakata	• Shin-Osaka • Hiroshima • Hakata	• Nozomi • Mizuho • Sakura • Kodama
Tohoku Shinkansen	• Tokyo → Sendai • Tokyo → Morioka • Tokyo → Shin-Aomori	• Tokyo • Sendai • Morioka	• Hayabusa • Yamabiko • Nasuno
Hokuriku Shinkansen	• Tokyo → Nagano • Tokyo → Kanazawa • Tokyo → Tsuruga	• Nagano • Toyama • Kanazawa / Tsuruga	• Kagayaki • Hakutaka • Asama
Kyushu Shinkansen	• Hakata → Kumamoto • Hakata → Kagoshima-Chuo • Kumamoto → Kagoshima-Chuo	• Hakata • Kumamoto • Kagoshima-Chuo	• Mizuho • Sakura • Tsubame
Hokkaido Shinkansen	• Shin-Aomori → Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto • Tokyo → Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto	• Shin-Aomori • Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto	• Hayabusa • Hayate
Joetsu Shinkansen	• Tokyo → Echigo-Yuzawa • Tokyo → Niigata	• Echigo-Yuzawa • Gala-Yuzawa (winter) • Niigata	• Toki • Tanigawa
Yamagata Shinkansen (Mini)	• Tokyo → Yamagata • Tokyo → Shinjo	• Fukushima • Yamagata • Shinjo	• Tsubasa
Akita Shinkansen (Mini)	• Tokyo → Kakunodate • Tokyo → Akita	• Morioka • Kakunodate • Akita	• Komachi

Shinkansen Line

Popular routes

Key hubs

Key express trains

Tokaido Shinkansen

• Tokyo → Kyoto

• Tokyo → Shin-Osaka

• Nagoya → Kyoto

• Tokyo

• Nagoya

• Kyoto

• Shin-Osaka

• Nozomi

• Hikari

• Kodama

Sanyo Shinkansen

• Shin-Osaka → Hiroshima

• Shin-Osaka → Hakata

• Hiroshima → Hakata

• Shin-Osaka

• Hiroshima

• Hakata

• Nozomi

• Mizuho

• Sakura

• Kodama

Tohoku Shinkansen

• Tokyo → Sendai

• Tokyo → Morioka

• Tokyo → Shin-Aomori

• Tokyo

• Sendai

• Morioka

• Hayabusa

• Yamabiko

• Nasuno

Hokuriku Shinkansen

• Tokyo → Nagano

• Tokyo → Kanazawa

• Tokyo → Tsuruga

• Nagano

• Toyama

• Kanazawa / Tsuruga

• Kagayaki

• Hakutaka

• Asama

Kyushu Shinkansen

• Hakata → Kumamoto

• Hakata → Kagoshima-Chuo

• Kumamoto → Kagoshima-Chuo

• Hakata

• Kumamoto

• Kagoshima-Chuo

• Mizuho

• Sakura

• Tsubame

Hokkaido Shinkansen

• Shin-Aomori → Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto

• Tokyo → Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto

• Shin-Aomori

• Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto

• Hayabusa

• Hayate

Joetsu Shinkansen

• Tokyo → Echigo-Yuzawa

• Tokyo → Niigata

• Echigo-Yuzawa

• Gala-Yuzawa (winter)

• Niigata

• Toki

• Tanigawa

Yamagata Shinkansen (Mini)

• Tokyo → Yamagata

• Tokyo → Shinjo

• Fukushima

• Yamagata

• Shinjo

• Tsubasa

Akita Shinkansen (Mini)

• Tokyo → Kakunodate

• Tokyo → Akita

• Morioka

• Kakunodate

• Akita

• Komachi

The high-speed trunk lines: Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu, and Tohoku

The Tokaido Shinkansen is the line most international travelers use. It links Tokyo with Nagoya, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka, forming the core of Japan's classic Golden Route. The fastest Nozomi Shinkansen services make only major stops, while Hikari and Kodama trains stop more frequently.

At Shin-Osaka, the corridor continues west as the Sanyo Shinkansen toward Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Hakata in Fukuoka. Many Nozomi trains operate directly between Tokyo and destinations on the Sanyo line, so you may not need to change at Shin-Osaka.

From Hakata, the Kyushu Shinkansen continues south through Kumamoto to Kagoshima-Chuo. Some Sakura and Mizuho services run through between the Sanyo and Kyushu networks, creating a convenient north-south rail corridor across western Japan.

Heading in the opposite direction from Tokyo, the Tohoku Shinkansen provides the main high-speed route into northeastern Japan, with Hayabusa services connecting Tokyo with Sendai, Morioka, and Shin-Aomori. JR East's current network also links Tokyo directly with the Hokkaido, Akita, and Yamagata Shinkansen services.

Regional connectors and mini-Shinkansen extensions

Several other lines make the Shinkansen useful far beyond Japan's Golden Route.

The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo via Nagano and Toyama to Kanazawa and Tsuruga. It is particularly useful for alpine destinations, historic Kanazawa, and trips toward the Sea of Japan coast. Kagayaki is the limited-stop option, while Hakutaka serves more intermediate stations.

For winter travel, the Joetsu Shinkansen connects Tokyo with Echigo-Yuzawa and Niigata, giving travelers fast access to some of Niigata's best-known ski areas.

The Akita and Yamagata Shinkansen are "mini-Shinkansen" services. Their trains leave Tokyo on the main Tohoku corridor before continuing onto conventional-gauge-converted regional lines toward Akita and Shinjo. This allows direct travel without changing trains. JR East currently operates Komachi services toward Akita and Tsubasa services toward Yamagata and Shinjo.

Finally, the Hokkaido Shinkansen extends north from Shin-Aomori through the Seikan Tunnel to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, providing a rail link between Honshu and Hokkaido.

Major Shinkansen station hubs: Navigating Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka

Knowing the line is only half the job. In large cities, the Shinkansen train station may not be the station name you expect, and choosing the right hub can save time on local transfers.

Tokyo Shinkansen station hubs: Tokyo Station vs. Shinagawa

For most visitors, Tokyo Station is the city's main Shinkansen hub. From here, trains run west toward Nagoya, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka and north toward destinations including Sendai, Niigata, Nagano, Kanazawa, Akita, and Hokkaido. JR East's current timetable lists Tokaido-Sanyo, Tohoku-Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen services at Tokyo Station.

Tokyo Station is particularly convenient if you are staying around Marunouchi, Ginza, Nihombashi, or central Tokyo. The trade-off is its size. Tokyo Station is a major rail complex with numerous conventional JR lines, underground passages, shopping areas, and multiple entrances. Give yourself extra time to find the correct Shinkansen gates.

Shinagawa Station is a useful alternative for travelers taking the Tokaido Shinkansen toward Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka. It is smaller and often easier to navigate than Tokyo Station. If you are staying in Shinagawa or southern Tokyo, there may be little reason to travel north to Tokyo Station just to catch the same train.

One more name to remember is Shin-Yokohama. The Shinkansen does not use central Yokohama Station. Shin-Yokohama is the city's high-speed rail station. If your hotel is around Yokohama Station or Minato Mirai, allow time for the local connection.

Kansai Shinkansen gateways: Kyoto and Shin-Osaka stations

Kyoto Station is straightforward for most visitors because the Shinkansen and local rail services share the same major station complex. Tokaido Shinkansen trains connect Kyoto directly with Tokyo and Nagoya to the east and Shin-Osaka to the west.

Inside the station, follow the clearly marked signs for the Shinkansen Central Gate or other Shinkansen transfer gates. If you are transferring from a local JR service, you may be able to move directly into the Shinkansen area rather than exiting the entire station.

Osaka requires a little more attention. The Osaka Shinkansen station is Shin-Osaka, not Osaka Station. Shinkansen services from Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Hakata call at Shin-Osaka.

If your hotel is around Umeda, you will usually need to continue from Shin-Osaka to Osaka Station by a conventional JR train. The ride itself is short, but factor the transfer into your itinerary.

This distinction also matters when searching a Shinkansen timetable or booking tickets. Entering "Osaka" instead of "Shin-Osaka" can return a different journey involving local trains. For Kyoto, search Kyoto; for central Osaka's Shinkansen gateway, search Shin-Osaka.

Choosing the right bullet train and booking strategy

A Shinkansen line can have several train categories using the same tracks. The difference is mainly how many stations they stop at, which affects journey time and sometimes ticket or rail-pass eligibility.

Express vs. local train categories: Speed, stops, and frequency

Each Shinkansen line operates different service tiers, which mainly differ in their stopping patterns and journey times. On the Tokaido Shinkansen, Nozomi is the fastest option, stopping mainly at major stations such as Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka. Hikari makes more stops and takes slightly longer, while Kodama stops at every station and is better suited to shorter journeys or smaller Shinkansen stations.

The difference matters most on longer routes. From Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, Nozomi takes around 2 hours 30 minutes, compared with roughly 3 hours by Hikari and close to 4 hours by Kodama. For a tight Golden Route itinerary, Nozomi can save well over an hour.

The same service logic applies elsewhere on the network. Hayabusa is the fastest major service on the Tohoku and Hokkaido corridor, while Yamabiko serves more intermediate stations. On the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Kagayaki provides the limited-stop service, while Hakutaka makes more stops. The fastest Shinkansen services reach speeds of up to 320 km/h (199 mph), although your actual journey time depends on the route and stopping pattern.

There are also two practical rules worth knowing before you travel:

During designated peak periods around Golden Week, Obon, and New Year, Nozomi operates with reserved seating only, so booking ahead is recommended if you want to travel at a specific time.
On the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu, and Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen, luggage with total dimensions between 161 cm and 250 cm requires a reservation for a seat with an oversized baggage area. The reservation itself does not carry an additional baggage fee, but these seats are limited.

Individual tickets vs. regional passes for network travel

A rail pass is not automatically cheaper simply because you are visiting Japan.

A useful planning shortcut is the "three long trips" test: if your itinerary contains around three expensive long-distance rail journeys within the pass validity period, compare the individual Shinkansen prices with an appropriate pass before buying. This is a budgeting shortcut rather than an official JR rule.

For a standard first-time itinerary such as Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka, individual Shinkansen tickets are often the simplest option because you can book the exact train and seat you want without paying for travel you will not use.

Regional passes become more attractive when your itinerary concentrates several rail journeys within one part of Japan. For example, travelers exploring Tohoku, Kyushu, Kansai, or the Hokuriku region may find a regional JR pass better suited to their route than a nationwide pass.

Before purchasing any pass, check its validity area, travel period, eligible train types, and reservation rules against your actual itinerary. The best option depends on where you are going, not simply how many days you are in Japan.

Reserve your Japan Shinkansen tickets on Trip.com

Once you know your route, you can book Shinkansen tickets online with Trip.com. Search your departure and arrival stations, compare available trains and departure times, select your class and seat preference, and pay online using supported international payment methods. Trip.com currently supports advance Shinkansen bookings up to 90 days before departure.

Seat preferences can also make a difference on longer journeys. Depending on the train and availability, you can request window or aisle seats, adjacent seats, Mt. Fuji-view seats, or seats near oversized luggage storage. For Tokyo-to-Osaka journeys, Trip.com recommends the right side of the train for Mt. Fuji views, subject to the specific service and direction.

For popular travel periods, booking ahead is particularly useful if you want a specific departure, seats together, or special luggage seating.

Ready to travel across Japan? Compare routes, check the latest Shinkansen timetable, and reserve your Japan Shinkansen tickets on Trip.com before you go.