Are Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen covered by the JR Pass?

Shinkansen Nozomi and Mizuho bullet trains (reserved and non-reserved) will be included in the JR Pass from October 2023. Both types of train operate on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. To use these trains, JR Pass holders must purchase a special complementary ticket. This is a supplement to the Japan Rail Pass.

The Nozomi Shinkansen trains reach speeds of up to 185 mph (300 km/h) making them one of the fastest trains in Japan. Though the actual train models are no different to some other JR trains, the limited number of stops they cover allows them to reach these great speeds and cover great distances in a short time.

Nozomi bullet trains run along two adjoining train lines: the Tokaido Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka and, secondly, on the Sanyo Shinkansen line between Shin-Osaka and Hakata.

Going west from Tokyo, a Nozomi train departs at least every 10 minutes. Traveling east from Hakata, a Nozomi trains leaves every 15-20 minutes. However, not all westbound trains start from Tokyo and not all eastbound trains depart from Hakata as some services only cover either the Tokaido line or the Sanyo line (not both).

Overall, there are 35 stations across the two lines though Nozomi trains don’t stop at most of them. Trains that make the full journey always stop at 11 stations (Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kokura, Hakata). There is also a 12th stop which is either Himeji, Fukuyama, Tokuyama, or Shin-Yamaguchi Station in Yamaguchi.

Here are some rough estimates of journey times for some of the most popular trips on the Nozomi Shinkansen bullet trains:

However, there are Nozomi and Mizuho alternatives which passengers can access with the JR Pass at no extra cost. Along the Tokaido Shinkansen line, pass holders can catch Hikari and Kodama trains which are slightly less frequent and make more stops than Nozomi and Mizuho trains. Hikari trains also run along the Sanyo Shinkansen line and the Kyushu line, as well as Sakura Shinkansen trains.

Typically, Hikari and Sakura trains only make a few more stops than Nozomi or Mizuho trains so they do not take too much longer to reach Nagoya, Osaka or Kyoto from Tokyo. For example, traveling to Osaka from Tokyo takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes by Nozomi, or just over 3 hours by Hikari.

If you wish to travel on the Nozomi or Mizuho Shinkansen, you must purchase a special ticket to complement your JR Pass. The price of the supplement is the same for ordinary class, first class (Green Car) and reserved and non-reserved seats.