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Tokyo to Kyoto: Shinkansen times, fares and the JR Pass

The Tokaido Shinkansen links Tokyo and Kyoto directly. Here are the official travel times and one-way fares, and what changes with a JR Pass.

Travel time by Shinkansen

Typical Tokyo to Kyoto travel time by train type
TrainTypical time
Nozomi2 h 15 min
Hikari2 h 40 min
Kodama3 h 40 min

From the 14 March 2026 timetable revision, up to 13 Nozomi run per hour in the busiest periods (Tokyo departures in the 7:00-10:00 hours westbound). Minutes above are JR Tokai Tours' approximate figures ('about 2 h 15 min / 2 h 40 min / 3 h 40 min'); JR Central's English site says Tokyo-Kyoto takes 'about 130 minutes' on the fastest trains.

One-way fare (one adult, normal season)

Tokyo to Kyoto one-way Shinkansen fares
TicketFare
Hikari / Kodama, ordinary reserved seat¥13,850
Nozomi, ordinary reserved seat¥14,170
Hikari / Kodama, Green Car¥18,720

Fare = basic fare ¥8,360 + limited express charge. Green Car = basic fare + (limited express charge − ¥530) + Green Car charge.

With a JR Pass

  • Hikari and Kodama are covered by the pass.
  • Nozomi needs an extra Nozomi/Mizuho ticket on top of the pass: ¥4,960 one way (ordinary car).
  • The 7-day ordinary pass costs ¥50,000 on the official online site. A Tokyo–Kyoto round trip alone on Hikari is ¥27,700.

Nozomi and Mizuho trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen are not covered by the JAPAN RAIL PASS. A Pass holder may ride them by buying an [ONLY WITH JAPAN RAIL PASS] NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket for each ride before boarding; one price applies to Green Car, ordinary reserved and non-reserved seats (Green Car seats only for Green Pass holders). Examples: Tokyo-Nagoya 4,180, Tokyo-Kyoto/Shin-Osaka 4,960, Tokyo-Hiroshima 6,500, Shin-Osaka-Hakata 4,960 yen. For non-Pass travellers, JR Central and JR West will raise the Nozomi/Mizuho reserved-seat charge for tickets bought from 1 Jul 2027 (e.g. Tokyo-Shin-Osaka total 14,720 to 15,420 yen).

Planning more legs? Use the JR Pass calculator to compare your whole itinerary.

Other ways to get there

Other Tokyo to Kyoto options
OptionOperatorTimePriceJR Pass
Seishun Eco Dream overnight bus (4-across seats), fromHighway busRegular one-way adult fare Tokyo/Shinjuku - Kyoto: 3,300-12,500 yen depending on date (early-purchase 2,800-12,000 yen; limited 'super early' fare 2,500-2,900 yen). Duration is Seishun Eco Dream No. 21: Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit 23:10 -> Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit 07:02 (JR Bus Kanto timetable revised 1 Aug 2026, http://time.jrbuskanto.co.jp/bk08020.html). Child fare is half.JR Bus Kanto / West JR Bus7 h 52 min¥3,300Not covered
Gran Dream overnight bus (3-across seats), fromHighway busRegular one-way adult fare Tokyo/Shinjuku - Kyoto: 5,000-14,500 yen depending on date (early-purchase 4,400-14,000 yen). Duration is Gran Dream No. 5: Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit 21:50 -> Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit 05:37 (JR Bus Kanto timetable revised 1 Aug 2026, http://time.jrbuskanto.co.jp/bk08020.html). Child fare is half.JR Bus Kanto / West JR Bus7 h 47 min¥5,000Not covered
  • Source: Fare table: Kobe / Osaka / Kyoto - Tokyo (overnight) (West JR Bus (Nishinihon JR Bus), joint operator of the route) · Verified on · The page gives fare ranges that vary by travel date and purchase timing; it does not show an effective date.

Once you have your rail plan

If you also want to book guided tours or activities in Tokyo or Kyoto ahead of time, Viator is one of the booking sites you can use. Pre-booking can suit travellers with only a day or two in each city, or those planning a day trip out of town who would rather not arrange the transport themselves.

Before booking, check what the price includes, how the voucher must be shown and the cancellation terms: what to check when booking tours in Japan.

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