The shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka costs ¥14,720 one-way for a reserved seat on the Nozomi, the fastest train, or ¥13,870 unreserved, at regular-season prices in 2026. The Nozomi takes about 2 hours 21 minutes on the quickest services, and every train from Tokyo arrives at Shin-Osaka rather than Osaka Station. On peak dates, Nozomi trains carry no unreserved seats at all, so book ahead if you are travelling over a holiday.
Shinkansen Tokyo to Osaka price: the full fare table
These are JR Central's one-way adult fares from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, combining the basic fare and the express charge. Reserved and Green Car prices shown are regular season; unreserved seats cost the same on every train type and do not change by season.
| Seat | Nozomi | Hikari / Kodama |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (自由席) | ¥13,870 | ¥13,870 |
| Reserved, regular season (指定席) | ¥14,720 | ¥14,400 |
| Green Car, regular season (グリーン車) | ¥19,590 | ¥19,270 |
Reserved-seat prices follow JR's seasonal calendar: +¥400 in the busiest periods, +¥200 in peak season and −¥200 off-peak, so a Nozomi reserved seat ranges from ¥14,520 to ¥15,120. A return trip at regular-season Nozomi prices is ¥29,440. Children's fares are roughly half. To compare these costs with the rest of your trip, use the Japan trip budget calculator.
Nozomi is reserved-only on peak dates
During JR Central's FY2026 peak periods (Golden Week, Obon, Silver Week, the Sports Day and Labour Thanksgiving holidays, New Year, Coming of Age Day and the spring equinox holiday) every Nozomi seat is reserved. Hikari and Kodama keep their unreserved cars. Reserved tickets go on sale one month before travel at 10:00, or earlier through JR's EX and smartEX online services.
How long does the shinkansen take from Tokyo to Osaka?
The fastest Nozomi trains take about 2 hours 21 minutes, and most Nozomi services arrive in around two and a half hours. The Hikari takes about 3 hours and the Kodama, which stops at every station, nearly 4 hours. All three use the same track and similar carriages; the difference is the number of stops.
| Train | Tokyo → Shin-Osaka | Stops between | Reserved fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozomi | About 2h 21m – 2h 30m | Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto | ¥14,720 |
| Hikari | About 3h | More stops, varying by train | ¥14,400 |
| Kodama | About 3h 50m | Every station | ¥14,400 |
For most travellers the Nozomi is the obvious choice: the reserved fare is only ¥320 more than the Hikari and saves roughly half an hour. The Kodama makes sense only if you are stopping somewhere along the way. If you are deciding where to stay at the other end, see Osaka vs Kyoto.
Can I use the Japan Rail Pass to Osaka?
Yes. The Japan Rail Pass covers the Hikari and Kodama outright, and pass holders can ride the Nozomi by buying a special Nozomi/Mizuho ticket, ¥4,960 between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. Since a single Tokyo–Osaka trip costs ¥14,720, the pass only pays off with several long journeys; the JR Pass calculator works this out for your itinerary.
Which seat should I book?
A reserved seat costs ¥850 more than unreserved on the Nozomi and guarantees you will not stand for two and a half hours on a busy Friday evening. The Green Car offers wider seats and a quieter carriage, but no included food or drink, so it suits frequent business travellers more than a one-off trip.
The Mt Fuji seat: E, on the right, heading west
Travelling from Tokyo towards Osaka, Mt Fuji appears on the right-hand side, so book a window seat E in standard class (D is the aisle seat on that side). It comes into view roughly 45 minutes to an hour after leaving Tokyo, around Shin-Fuji, on a clear day. Cloud often hides it, so treat it as a bonus rather than a promise.
Arrival: it's Shin-Osaka, not Osaka Station
Every Tokaido Shinkansen train from Tokyo stops at Shin-Osaka, not Osaka Station (Umeda). They are different stations. From Shin-Osaka it is a few minutes to Osaka Station on the JR line, or a short ride to Umeda and Namba on the Midosuji subway, so build that connection into your plans. Arriving in Tokyo first? The Haneda to Tokyo guide and Narita to Tokyo guide cover getting into the city.
Buying tickets
Buy at JR ticket machines (with English menus) or counters at the station, or book in advance online through JR Central's smartEX service, which also sells discounted early-booking fares on some trains. Booking ahead secures a reserved seat; station machines are fine if your timing is flexible and it is not a holiday period.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka?
A one-way adult ticket from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka costs ¥14,720 for a reserved seat on the Nozomi, ¥14,400 reserved on the Hikari or Kodama, and ¥13,870 for an unreserved seat on any of them, at regular-season prices. Green Car seats cost ¥19,590 on the Nozomi. Reserved fares rise by ¥200–¥400 in peak periods and fall by ¥200 off-peak.
How long does the shinkansen take from Tokyo to Osaka?
The fastest Nozomi trains take about 2 hours 21 minutes from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka; typical Nozomi journeys are around 2.5 hours. The Hikari takes about 3 hours and the all-stops Kodama nearly 4 hours. Add a few minutes from Shin-Osaka to central Osaka by subway or JR.
Is a reserved seat worth it on the Tokyo–Osaka shinkansen?
Usually yes. A reserved seat costs ¥850 more than unreserved on the Nozomi, and on peak dates such as Golden Week, Obon and New Year every Nozomi seat is reserved-only, so an unreserved ticket means taking a slower Hikari or Kodama. Reserving also lets you pick seat E for the Mt Fuji view.
Can I use the Japan Rail Pass on the Nozomi to Osaka?
Yes, but only with an extra ticket. Japan Rail Pass holders can ride the Nozomi by buying a special Nozomi/Mizuho ticket, which costs ¥4,960 between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. Without it, pass holders take the Hikari, which is covered and only about half an hour slower.
Does the shinkansen arrive at Osaka Station?
No. Tokaido Shinkansen trains from Tokyo stop at Shin-Osaka, a separate station north of the city centre. From there it is a short ride to Osaka Station (Umeda) on the JR line, or to Namba on the Midosuji subway line, so allow extra time for that connection.
Official Sources
This article references the following primary sources. Rules and figures change periodically — always verify current requirements directly before making decisions.
- JR Central Tours — Tokaido Shinkansen seat guide and Tokyo–Shin-Osaka fare table (updated 27 July 2026)
- JR Central — Seasonal reserved-seat express charges (peak +¥400 / +¥200, off-peak −¥200)
- JR Central — Nozomi all-reserved peak periods, FY2026
- Japan Rail Pass (official) — Using Nozomi and Mizuho trains