Which Shinkansen to Choose: Nozomi, Hikari, or Kodama?

November 04, 2023

If you plan to visit the big cities in western Japan like Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka, you'll likely choose the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen as your mode of transportation.

However, when you start searching for your train, you'll notice three types of Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama.

Do you know which one is the best fit for your journey? Let's dive into the distinctions between these Shinkansen and the situations where each one shines.

The Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen Route

First, let's clarify that the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen runs from Tokyo station to Hakata station.
To be more precise, the Tokaido Shinkansen stretches between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, while the Sanyo Shinkansen covers the route from Shin-Osaka to Hakata.

These two segments are operated by different companies, but passengers don't have to worry about this. Passengers can conveniently purchase tickets for their entire journey from the departure station to the destination.
Even when traveling on routes that span beyond Shin-Osaka, there is no need for passengers to transfer at Shin-Osaka Station.

Three Varieties of Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen

Now, let's talk about the three types of Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama.

In a nutshell, the key difference among these trains is the number of stations they stop at.

Nozomi

• Nozomi is the fastest train in this group.
• It stops at major stations such as Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka.
• For example, it takes about two hours and 30 minutes to run from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, with Nozomi trains departing approximately every ten minutes.
• Nozomi offers sixteen cabins: four Green reserved (first-class) cabins, ten ordinary reserved cabins, and three unreserved cabins.
• Recommended for passengers who need to reach Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Hakata promptly.
• Note: Japan Rail Pass holders cannot use Nozomi.

Hikari

• Hikari is the second fastest option.
• It stops at significant stations where Nozomi does not, such as Odawara (not all Hikari trains), Shizuoka, or Hamamatsu, in addition to the major stations mentioned earlier.
• For example, the journey from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka takes about two hours and 50 minutes, which is 20 minutes longer than Nozomi.
• Hikari provides sixteen cabins: three Green reserved (first-class) cabins, eight ordinary reserved cabins, and five unreserved cabins.
• Recommended for passengers using the Japan Rail Pass for their trip or those who want to reach big stations that Nozomi skips earlier than Kodama.

Kodama

• Kodama is the third fastest train (the slowest of these three)
• It stops at all 16 stations between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
• For example, the trip from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka takes about four hours and four minutes, which is an hour and 30 minutes longer than Nozomi.
• Kodama offers sixteen cabins: three Green reserved (first-class) cabins, three ordinary reserved cabins, and ten unreserved cabins.
• Kodama stops at all stations within the JR Central area (listed below).
• Recommended for passengers using the Japan Rail Pass for their trip or those interested in visiting smaller yet charming cities such as Shin-Fuji, Kakegawa, Mikawa-Anjo, and Asa.

Now that you're acquainted with the differences between Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama, you can choose the one that best suits your travel plans.

Whether you need to reach your destination quickly, want to explore diverse stations, or have flexibility in your schedule, there's a Shinkansen type for everyone.

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