The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo and Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka.
Nozomi is the fastest service, while Hikari and Kodama are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. This guide covers the route, stations, journey times, ticket prices, current timetable information.
In 1964 the Tokaido Shinkansen became the first high-speed rail line in the world. More than half a century later, it remains at the forefront of railway technology, with trains on the line reaching a top speed of 285 km/h.
It’s also still tied to Japan’s rich history. The Tokaido is named after the main road that connected Japan’s former capital of Kyoto with its current capital of Tokyo during the Edo Period.
Table of Contents
Tokaido Shinkansen route and map
The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo with Shin-Osaka. There are 3 types of services that run on the route: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama, which you can see on the map below.
Some trains continue beyond Shin-Osaka on the Sanyo Shinkansen line.
Tokaido Shinkansen stations
Stops on the Tokaido Shinkansen include Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Odawara, Atami, Mishima, Shin-Fuji, Shizuoka, Kakegawa, Hamamatsu, Toyohashi, Mikawa-Anjo, Nagoya, Gifu-Hashima, Maibara, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka Stations.
Find below a full list of stations the line stops at, as well as the connections you can make at each one.
| Station | Connections |
| Tokyo Station | Tohoku Shinkansen, Joetsu Shinkansen, Hokuriku Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen, Akita Shinkansen, Yamanote Line, Chuo Main Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Tokaido Main Line, Tohoku Main Line (Utsunomiya Line), Takasaki Line, Joban Line, Keiyo Line, Yokosuka Line, Sobu Main Line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line (M-17) |
| Shinagawa Station | Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Tokaido Main Line, Yokosuka Line, Keikyu Main Line |
| Shin-Yokohama Station | Yokohama Line, Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line, Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line, Sotetsu Shin-Yokohama Line |
| Odawara Station | Tokaido Main Line, Odakyu Odawara Line, Izu-Hakone Railway Daiyuzan Line, Hakone Tozan Line |
| Atami Station | Tokaido Main Line, Ito Line |
| Mishima Station | Tokaido Main Line, Izuhakone Railway Sunzu Line |
| Shin-Fuji Station | No rail connections. Local bus services (including Fujikyu Shizuoka Bus). |
| Shizuoka Station | Tokaido Main Line, Shizuoka Railway Shizuoka-Shimizu Line (Shin-Shizuoka Station) |
| Kakegawa Station | Tokaido Main Line, Tenryū Hamanako Line |
| Hamamatsu Station | Tokaido Main Line, Enshu Railway Line (Shin-Hamamatsu Station) |
| Toyohashi Station | Tokaido Main Line, Iida Line, Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line, Toyohashi Atsumi Line (Shin-Toyohashi Station), Toyohashi Tramway (Ekimae Station) |
| Nagoya Station | Tokaido Main Line, Chūō Main Line, Kansai Main Line, Nagoya Subway Higashiyama Line (H08), Nagoya Subway Sakura-dori Line (S02), Nagoya Main Line (Meitetsu Nagoya Station), Kintetsu Nagoya Line (Kintetsu Nagoya Station), Aonami Line (AN01) |
| Gifu-Hashima Station | Meitetsu Hashima Line (Shin-Hashima Station) |
| Maibara Station | Tokaido Main Line, Hokuriku Main Line, Ohmi Railway Main Line |
| Kyoto Station | Tokaido Main Line, Kosei Line, Nara Line, Sanin Main Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line, Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line (K11) |
| Shin-Osaka Station | Sanyo Shinkansen (through service), Tokaido Main Line, Osaka Metro Midōsuji Line (M13) |
Tokaido Shinkansen timetable
Tokaido Shinkansen trains depart frequently throughout the day. The number of services varies depending on the time, date and direction of travel.
- Nozomi is the fastest and most frequent service. The journey from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Hikari trains make additional stops, with the journey between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka taking around 3 hours.
- Kodama trains stop at every station and take around 4 hours to complete the route.
First and last train times may change when new timetables take effect, and additional trains typically operate during busy periods.
You can find the full, up-to-date timetable for the Tokaido Shinkansen on the JR Central official website.
Read more: Shinkansen Timetables: How to find and read
Tickets for the Tokaido Shinkansen
You can buy single Shinkansen tickets to ride the Tokaido line from ticket counters, ticket machines, or online.
Standard adult one-way fares for a non-reserved seat in an ordinary car on some of the most popular routes are as follows:
| Route | Adult ticket price |
| Tokyo to Nagoya | ¥ 10,560 |
| Tokyo to Kyoto | ¥ 13,320 |
| Tokyo to Osaka | ¥ 13,870 |
Prices may vary depending on the service, seat type, travel period and booking method.
Unlimited access to transportation across Japan for 7, 14, or 21 days on:
- All Shinkansen trains
- Rapid and Local JR trains
- JR bus and ferry services
- Airport Transfers
A single ticket, huge savings.
Train Services
Below, you can find a breakdown of the 3 services that operate on the Tokaido Shinkansen line: Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama.
Hikari Shinkansen
Stops: Tokyo – Shinagawa – Shin-Yokohama – Nagoya – Kyoto – Shin-Osaka
Hikari trains are the second-fastest option on the Tokaido Shinkansen line. They serve more stations than Nozomi trains, although stopping patterns vary by service. Check the timetable before travelling.
Kodama Shinkansen
Stops: Tokyo – Shinagawa – Shin-Yokohama – Odawara – Atami – Mishima – Shin-Fuji – Shizuoka – Kakegawa – Hamamatsu – Toyohashi – Mikawa-Anjo – Nagoya – Gifu-Hashima – Maibara – Kyoto – Shin-Osaka
Kodama Shinkansen trains stop at all stations along the Tokaido Shinkansen line. Some services operating during the morning and evening rush hours offer only non-reserved seating. Kodama trains provide access to destinations not served by the faster services.
Nozomi Shinkansen
Stops: Tokyo – Shinagawa – Shin-Yokohama – Nagoya – Kyoto – Shin-Osaka
Nozomi trains are the fastest Shinkansen of the Tokaido Line. Some services continue beyond Shin-Osaka onto the Sanyo Shinkansen.
Important: Nozomi trains are partially covered by the JR Pass, and pass holders can travel on them by purchasing the required supplementary ticket.
Private rooms
From October 1, 2026, selected Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen trains will offer private rooms as part of JR Central’s Supreme Class.
There are 2 types of Supreme Class cabins:
- A cabin for up to 2 passengers in Car 7
- A single-passenger cabin in Car 10
Each has an electronically locking door that can be opened using your QR ticket or registered IC card. An in-room tablet allows you to adjust the reclining seat, leg rest, lumbar support, seat heating, lighting, airflow, and audio volume.
Cabins also include dedicated Wi-Fi, a headrest speaker, power outlets, charging ports (USB types A and C), a large table, and space for carry-on luggage.
Supreme Class passengers on Nozomi and Hikari services receive a complimentary drink and sweet treat. Additional exclusive food and drink products can be ordered through the mobile ordering service.
Supreme Class tickets will be sold through the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen online reservation service. A one-way Nozomi cabin from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka costs ¥42,390 for one passenger or ¥60,790 for the cabin accommodating up to 2 passengers during the regular season.
Covered by the Japan Rail Pass
The Tokaido Shinkansen line is fully covered by the JR Pass on Hikari and Kodama services.
Nozomi services are not included in the standard JR Pass coverage. However, as a passholder, you can travel on Nozomi trains by purchasing a special NOZOMI MIZUHO ticket before boarding.
The supplement costs the same for ordinary car non-reserved seats, ordinary car reserved seats, and green car seats. Adult supplement prices from Tokyo are as follows:
| Nozomi Shinkansen supplement prices from Tokyo | |
| Nagoya | ¥ 4,180 |
| Kyoto | ¥ 4,960 |
| Shin-Osaka | ¥ 4,960 |
Common itineraries along the Tokaido Shinkansen line
Here’s an outline of some of the most common trips you can take on the Tokaido Shinkansen route:
- Tokyo to Yokohama: To reach central Yokohama, take the conventional Tokaido Main Line from Tokyo Station to Yokohama Station. The journey takes just under 30 minutes. To travel by Shinkansen, use Shin-Yokohama Station instead.
- Tokyo to Nagoya: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station directly to Nagoya Station. The fastest services take around 1 hour 30 minutes. Nagoya is also a gateway to destinations such as the Japanese Alps and the Kii Peninsula.
- Tokyo to Kyoto: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station directly to Kyoto Station. The fastest services take around 2 hours and 10 minutes.
- Tokyo to Osaka: Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka, arriving at Shin-Osaka Station. The fastest services take around 2 hours and 20 minutes.