Tokyo to Osaka: Shinkansen, Flight or Night Bus

Which Shinkansen service to take

Nozomi is the fastest, stopping least. Hikari makes a few more stops and takes about half an hour longer. Kodama stops everywhere and takes around four hours. The distinction matters because the Japan Rail Pass does not cover Nozomi, so pass holders take Hikari and lose very little.

Trains depart every few minutes at peak times, which means you rarely need to plan around a timetable.

Seats and luggage

Reserved and non reserved cars both exist. Non reserved works well outside holiday periods. Oversized luggage now requires a reserved space in the rear row of certain cars, which should be booked in advance if you are carrying large suitcases.

The E and D window seats on the south side offer the Mount Fuji view on a clear day, roughly forty minutes out of Tokyo.

Flying and the bus

Flights from Haneda to Itami are quick in the air, but Itami and Kansai airports both need onward transfers, and the total door to door time usually matches or exceeds the train. Overnight buses are the budget option, with reclining seats and a saving on accommodation, at the cost of a poor night's sleep.

Booking notes

• Golden Week, Obon and New Year are the three periods when trains genuinely fill up.
• Tickets can be bought at machines minutes before departure outside those peaks.
• Shin Osaka is one stop from Osaka Station on the local line, not in the city centre itself.
• Ekiben bento boxes sold on the platform are part of the experience and better than the on board trolley.