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Nagoya to Kyoto by Shinkansen

The Nagoya to Kyoto Shinkansen is a quick 35 minute hop down the Tokaido line, one of the easiest connections in central Japan. Reserve from Australia, pay in AUD, and board with a QR code.

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Fastest

35 min (Nozomi)

Typical

45 min (Hikari)

Transfers

Direct, no transfers

Distance

about 135 km

Daily services

300+ trains a day

JR Pass

Hikari and Kodama covered; Nozomi needs a supplement

Nagoya to Kyoto ticket prices

One-way fares by seat class. Return simply doubles the fare.

Seat class	Price (AUD)	Good to know
Non-reserved, Ordinary Car	from AUD 45	Cheapest, any open non reserved seat
Reserved, Ordinary Car	from AUD 52	Guaranteed seat, best in peak season
Reserved, Green Car	from AUD 77	Business class 2 by 2 seating

Fares are indicative from prices and vary by date, train and season. The live fare is shown when you search. As a guide, an Ordinary reserved seat is around ¥5,910.

Which train: Nozomi, Hikari or Kodama?

All three run the Nagoya–Kyoto route direct — they differ in how many stations they skip.

Train	Journey time	Stops	Japan Rail Pass
Nozomi	35 min	Fewest stops, the fastest service	Supplement required
Hikari	45 min	A couple of extra stops	Covered by JR Pass
Kodama	1h 05m	Stops at every station	Covered by JR Pass

Timetable & departures

A sample of daily Nagoya → Kyoto departures.

Depart Nagoya	Arrive Kyoto	Train	Duration
06:20	06:55	Nozomi	35 min
08:02	08:37	Nozomi	35 min
10:14	10:59	Hikari	45 min
13:20	13:55	Nozomi	35 min
18:02	18:37	Nozomi	35 min

Indicative departures. Nozomi trains run roughly every 10 minutes through the day. Search your date for live times.

Tips for the journey

Very short, rarely worth reserving

At 35 minutes you can usually just walk onto a non reserved car unless it is a peak holiday.

Arrive right in Kyoto

Trains arrive inside Kyoto Station, connected to the subway and buses for the temples and Higashiyama.

Take the Hikari with a pass

The Hikari is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and only ten minutes slower than the Nozomi.

Luggage

Two bags per person up to 30 kg go on the racks; oversized bags need a reserved oversized baggage space.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Nagoya to Kyoto bullet train?

From about AUD 45 one way for a non reserved seat, with reserved from around AUD 52 and Green Car from about AUD 77.

How long does it take?

About 35 minutes on the fastest Nozomi, 45 minutes on the Hikari and around an hour on the Kodama.

Is it covered by the Japan Rail Pass?

Yes for the Hikari and Kodama. The Nozomi needs a supplement.

Do I need to reserve a seat?

For such a short trip you can usually ride a non reserved car, though reserving is worthwhile in peak periods.

Can I carry on to Osaka?

Yes, the same Tokaido Shinkansen continues from Kyoto to Shin Osaka in around 15 minutes.

Related routes

Planning more of Japan by rail?

Kyoto → Nagoya Tokyo → Kyoto Osaka → Kyoto All train tickets →

Ready to book Nagoya to Kyoto?

Reserve your seat, pay in AUD, and board with a QR code.

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