Japan Rail Pass NowAustralia's No.1 Choice
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Japan Rail Pass NowAustralia's No.1 Choice
Osaka to Tokyo is the same great Tokaido Shinkansen run in reverse. The fastest Nozomi links Shin Osaka and Tokyo in about two and a half hours across roughly 515 kilometres, with trains leaving several times an hour through the day. Here is how the train compares with flying, the bus and driving, plus what a ticket costs and how to book in AUD.
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Trains depart Shin Osaka and run direct to Shinagawa and Tokyo Station in the heart of the capital. Because the shinkansen delivers you to the city centre, there is no long transfer at the end the way there is with a flight. Services are frequent enough that you rarely wait more than ten minutes at peak times.
| Option | Time | From (one way) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) | about 2h 27m | from AUD 123 | Fastest and easiest, city to city |
| Plane (ITM to HND) | 1h 15m in the air | from AUD 90 | Only faster if you live near the airport |
| Highway bus | 8 to 9 hours | from AUD 40 | Overnight trips on a tight budget |
| Car | about 6 hours | fuel plus tolls | Side trips and rural stops |
The Nozomi is fastest at about 2 hours 27 minutes and the most frequent. The Hikari runs closer to 3 hours and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The Kodama stops everywhere and takes around 4 hours. Most travellers take the Nozomi unless they hold a pass, in which case the Hikari avoids the supplement.
You can ride the non reserved cars without booking, but a reserved seat is well worth it in peak periods. Trains fill quickly during cherry blossom, the autumn colours and the major holidays, when non reserved cars can be standing room only from Osaka.
The first Nozomi leaves Shin Osaka around 06:00 and the last is close to 21:24. If you want to reach Tokyo late at night, check the exact timetable for your date, as evening departures become less frequent.
Going from Osaka to Tokyo, Mount Fuji is on the left hand side about an hour and forty minutes into the journey. Window seats D or E on the left give the best view on a clear day.
Reserve in advance, pay in Australian dollars, and board with a QR code. Locking in seats ahead of time is the easiest way to keep a group together and avoid the machines at busy Shin Osaka.
See today’s Osaka to Tokyo trains →
The pass covers the Hikari and Kodama but not the Nozomi without a supplement. On a multi city loop the nationwide pass can be great value, while a single Osaka to Tokyo trip is usually cheaper as a point to point ticket. Run your route through our calculator to see which wins.
If you are flying home out of Haneda or Narita, the shinkansen drops you at Shinagawa or Tokyo Station, both of which connect quickly to the airport lines. It is a smooth way to end a Kansai trip without an extra internal flight.
Overnight buses leave Osaka in the evening and reach Tokyo by morning from around AUD 40, saving a night of accommodation. The trade off is a long 8 to 9 hour ride and a tired arrival. A more comfortable three across reclining seat costs a little more.
Flying from Itami or Kansai to Haneda takes about 75 minutes in the air, but the door to door time rarely beats the train once you add airport transfers at both ends. Choose the plane only if you are staying near an airport at one end.
The drive is about 6 hours on the Meishin and Tomei expressways with tolls on top. It only makes sense if you want to stop at places like Nagoya or Hakone. City parking is expensive and slow compared with the train.
Two bags per person up to 30 kilograms each go on the racks for free. Bags over 160 centimetres total need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage space, booked free in advance. Standard suitcases need no special arrangement.
The Nozomi shinkansen is the best way from Osaka to Tokyo for almost every traveller. It is quick, frequent and comfortable, and it leaves you in the centre of the city. Save the overnight bus for tight budgets, and only fly if an airport is convenient at your end of the trip.
Planning more of Japan by rail? Keep exploring:
Tokyo to Osaka · Tokyo to Kyoto · Osaka to Kyoto · All train tickets
Fares are indicative from prices in Australian dollars and vary by date, train and season. The live fare is shown when you search. Booking is handled by our travel partner and we may earn a commission, which never changes your price.
Ensure you get the most out of your trip to the land of the rising sun with our comprehensive 249-page Japan Travel Guide.