The Tokaido Shinkansen is the high-speed “bullet train” route operated by JR Central between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. From Nagoya Station, it runs east toward Shizuoka, Shin-Yokohama and Tokyo, and west toward Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and the Sanyo Shinkansen route for Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata.
A shinkansen train at Nagoya Station
Nagoya is one of the easiest places in Japan to use the shinkansen. All three Tokaido Shinkansen train types stop here, the platforms are grouped together on the west side of the station, and the direction is simple: platforms 14 and 15 are for Tokyo-bound trains, while platforms 16 and 17 are for Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and points west.
Train Services on the Tokaido Shinkansen
There are three main train services on the Tokaido Shinkansen: Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama.
- Nozomi is the fastest and most frequent service. It is the usual first choice if you are buying ordinary tickets and want the quickest trip between Nagoya, Tokyo, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.
- Hikari is slightly slower because it makes more stops. It is usually the best regular Tokaido Shinkansen choice for Japan Rail Pass users who do not want to pay the extra Nozomi supplement.
- Kodama stops at every station. It is the slowest service, but it can be useful for smaller stations such as Atami, Odawara, Toyohashi, Gifu-Hashima and Maibara.
As a rough guide, Nozomi trains cover Nagoya to Tokyo in around 1 hour and 40 minutes, and Nagoya to Shin-Osaka in about 50 minutes. Hikari and Kodama times vary more by service and stopping pattern, so check the current timetable before travel.
A departure sign at Platform 14, Nagoya Station
Japan Rail Pass holders can use Hikari and Kodama services without an extra shinkansen supplement. Nozomi and Mizuho are not valid with the pass alone, but pass holders can use them by buying the special NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket for Japan Rail Pass holders before boarding. For Nagoya to Tokyo, the current special-ticket supplement is 4,180 yen.
During major peak travel periods, Nozomi trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen operate with all seats reserved. Travelers using non-reserved tickets may need to stand in ordinary-car decks on Nozomi during those periods, while Hikari and Kodama retain non-reserved cars as usual.
A departure sign at Platform 15 showing the three train types on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line
Key Destinations Traveling East
At Nagoya Station, Tokaido Shinkansen trains bound for Shin-Yokohama, Shinagawa and Tokyo depart from platforms 14 and 15. Below are useful eastbound destinations and current sample non-reserved ordinary-car adult fares from Nagoya. Fares can vary by reserved or non-reserved seat, train type, season, SmartEX product and discount product, so confirm the current price when booking.
Shizuoka Station
Shizuoka City is the capital of Shizuoka Prefecture and a useful stop for travelers interested in Mount Fuji views, Nihondaira, Miho no Matsubara and Kunozan Toshogu Shrine.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 5,940 yen
Atami Station
Atami is a hot spring resort town on the Izu Peninsula. It is also a useful shinkansen stop for travelers heading toward coastal Izu destinations.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 8,240 yen
Odawara Station
Odawara is a major access point for Hakone. The city also has Odawara Castle, a castle park and local museums.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 8,570 yen
Shin-Yokohama Station
Shin-Yokohama is the shinkansen gateway for Yokohama. Use this station for the Yokohama area rather than continuing all the way to Tokyo if your destination is in Kanagawa.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 9,900 yen
Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station is the main shinkansen terminal for central Tokyo. It is useful for Marunouchi, Nihonbashi, Ginza, the Imperial Palace area and onward JR connections across the capital. Popular Tokyo districts such as Asakusa, Harajuku, Roppongi and Shibuya can be reached by onward train or subway connections.
There are many hotels near Tokyo Station in every price category, from the iconic Tokyo Station Hotel to budget-focused business hotels.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 10,560 yen
Transfer gates between the shinkansen and regular JR lines at Nagoya Station
Key Destinations Traveling West
At Nagoya Station, trains bound for Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and through services toward the Sanyo Shinkansen depart from platforms 16 and 17. Through services can continue beyond Shin-Osaka to destinations such as Shin-Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata. For details beyond Shin-Osaka, see our article on the Sanyo Shinkansen.
A departure sign at Platform 16, Nagoya Station
Kyoto Station
Kyoto is one of Japan’s most important sightseeing cities, with temples, shrines, gardens, historic streets and major rail connections across western Japan. Major sights include the Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, Nidec Kyoto Tower and the Kyoto Station building.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 5,170 yen
Shin-Osaka Station
Shin-Osaka Station is the Tokaido Shinkansen terminal and the transfer point for central Osaka, Osaka Station, Umeda and the wider Kansai region. It is also where the Sanyo Shinkansen continues west toward Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 5,940 yen
Shin-Kobe Station
Shin-Kobe is the shinkansen station for Kobe, with onward subway access toward Sannomiya and central Kobe.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 7,470 yen
Himeji Station
Himeji is best known for Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s most important surviving castles, and nearby Koko-en Garden.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 8,240 yen
Okayama Station
Okayama is a Sanyo Shinkansen stop with onward connections toward Kurashiki, Shikoku and the Seto Inland Sea area.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 10,550 yen
Hiroshima Station
Hiroshima is a major western Japan city and a useful base for the Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima and onward travel across the Chugoku region.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 13,540 yen
Hakata Station
Hakata Station is the main rail hub for Fukuoka and the western end of many Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen through services from central Japan.
Non-reserved ordinary-car fare from Nagoya: 17,830 yen
A shinkansen train approaching Nagoya Station
Buying Shinkansen Tickets at Nagoya Station
At Nagoya Station, the shinkansen gates are on the west side of the station near the Taiko Dori Exit. Ticket machines and ticket offices are located close to these gates, so you can buy or pick up tickets before entering the shinkansen concourse.
Shinkansen ticket gates at Nagoya Station
Tickets can also be bought through the Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation / SmartEX service, which supports credit-card booking, QR tickets or IC-card boarding, and reservation changes before departure under the service rules.
When buying a ticket, you will need to choose between Ordinary Car and Green Car. Ordinary Car seats are standard shinkansen seats. Green Cars are the first-class cars, with larger seats and a quieter atmosphere, and they require seat reservations.
Ticket machines for the shinkansen
For Ordinary Car tickets, both non-reserved and reserved seats may be available, depending on train type and travel period. Non-reserved fares are the simplest comparison price. Reserved-seat prices vary by train type and season. On SmartEX, Ordinary Car reserved-seat prices are lower in off-peak season and higher in peak and top-season periods, so check the fare shown at booking.
During busy periods, especially national holidays, non-reserved cars can fill up. If you are traveling with luggage, children, or a tight onward connection, reserving a seat is usually the safer choice.
To summarize, when buying your tickets you will need to provide or choose:
- The number of travelers
- The departure station and destination
- The date and time of travel
- One-way or return
- Train type, if you have a preference
- Ordinary Car or Green Car
- Reserved or non-reserved seat
- Window or aisle preference, if reserving a seat
A ticket office at Nagoya Station
Luggage on the Tokaido Shinkansen
If your luggage has total dimensions of 160 cm to 250 cm, reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area before boarding the Tokaido, Sanyo or Kyushu Shinkansen. Oversized baggage carried without a reservation is subject to an oversized baggage fee. These seats are not available with non-reserved tickets, so choose an Ordinary Car reserved seat or Green Car seat if you need the oversized baggage space.
Discounts and Rail Passes
The Japan Rail Pass can still be useful for longer multi-city rail itineraries, but it is no longer automatically cheaper for every visitor. Compare the pass price with the individual tickets you plan to buy.
With the Japan Rail Pass, Hikari and Kodama are the standard Tokaido Shinkansen choices. Nozomi and Mizuho require the additional NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket for Japan Rail Pass holders, bought before boarding.
For slower but cheaper travel on some Tokaido Shinkansen sections, check SmartEX discount products such as EX Hayatoku 1. It is for non-reserved ordinary seats on Hikari and Kodama, must be bought by 23:30 the day before travel, has limited availability, and is not available during some busy periods.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 09-Jul-2026.
