Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
JR Pass is not worth it for a Tokyo–Kyoto round trip
Individual tickets ¥28,340 vs 7-day pass ¥50,000 — you lose ¥21,660
The fastest trains on this route are Nozomi. A Japan Rail Pass does not cover Nozomi and Mizuho — pass holders must buy a supplementary ticket costing ¥4,960 each way on this route, or take a slower Hikari, Sakura or Kodama service, which the pass covers in full. A return trip on the Nozomi therefore adds ¥9,920 on top of the pass.
Buy single tickets — skip the pass
For this route the pass costs more than the tickets. Book the individual leg instead.
What makes up the ¥14,170 fare
| Base fare (unkin) | ¥8,360 |
|---|---|
| Reserved seat limited express charge | ¥5,810 |
| Non-reserved limited express charge | ¥4,960 |
| Green Car charge | ¥10,680 |
| Total (reserved seat) | ¥14,170 |
A shinkansen ticket is always two parts: the base fare for the distance, plus a limited express charge for the train itself. Prices shown are for one adult, one way.
Planning more than this one trip?
The pass only starts to pay off once your total fares pass ¥50,000. Add every leg of your itinerary in the JR Pass calculator to see where you land.
Other routes
Common questions
Do I need to reserve a seat on the shinkansen?
It depends on the line and the date. Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen trains normally carry non-reserved cars, so you can usually board without booking. There is an important exception: during Golden Week, Obon and the year-end and New Year period, every seat on Nozomi services is reserved and there are no non-reserved cars at all. Tohoku and Hokuriku services such as Hayabusa, Komachi and Kagayaki are fully reserved all year round and cannot be boarded without a seat reservation.
Who can buy the Japan Rail Pass?
The Japan Rail Pass is sold to foreign visitors entering Japan on a Temporary Visitor entry status. You exchange the voucher for the physical pass after you arrive.
Is the JR Pass still worth buying?
Often not. The price rose sharply in October 2023, and for the most common first-time itineraries — Tokyo to Kyoto and back, or the Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka loop — buying individual tickets is cheaper. The pass starts paying off on long multi-city trips such as Tokyo–Kyoto–Hiroshima–Fukuoka. Use the calculator on this site with your actual route rather than assuming.
Can I ride the Nozomi with a Japan Rail Pass?
Not on the pass alone. The Nozomi and Mizuho are excluded, but you can board them by buying a supplementary NOZOMI MIZUHO ticket on top of your pass. It costs ¥4,960 for Tokyo–Kyoto or Tokyo–Shin-Osaka, ¥4,180 for Tokyo–Nagoya and ¥6,500 for Tokyo–Hiroshima, each way. The same price applies whether you take a non-reserved seat, a reserved seat or the Green Car. The alternative is to take a Hikari, Sakura or Kodama, which the pass covers in full but which take longer.
Can I use a Suica or ICOCA card on the shinkansen?
Not by simply tapping in. An IC card on its own is not a shinkansen ticket. You can link it to a booking service and then tap through: Smart EX covers the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, while JR East lines have Touch de Go! Shinkansen for non-reserved seats and the Eki-net Shinkansen e-Ticket. Your Suica or ICOCA still works normally for local trains, subways and shops.
Do I need to book a space for a large suitcase?
Yes, if the three dimensions of your bag add up to more than 160 cm. On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen you must reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area. The reservation itself costs nothing extra — it is an ordinary reserved seat in a specific row. If you board with oversized baggage without one, you are charged a ¥1,000 baggage fee including tax.