#52 Traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
Tips for cheaper and more convenient traveling. Japan Rail Pass, Platto Kodama and more.
Cherry blossom season in Kyoto seems to be over this year. I reckon the tourist season will keep going strong into the summer since they are downgrading the new coronavirus to category 5 next month. After guiding visitors from overseas in the past months, I notice that they tend to visit Kyoto after staying in Tokyo for a few days. Some of them come back to Tokyo, but lots of people finish their tour in Kyoto, and move on to the next destination such as Singapore or other south-east Asian countries. Most people may think that traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto is a simple two-hour trip by Shinkansen (bullet train), but several tips could be helpful.
This week, I will give you some tips on what tickets to buy and how to pick your seats on a Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto.
Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)
This is a must-buy ticket, especially when you travel by train for a longer period in Japan. These tickets are jointly offered by the six Japan Railways (JR) Group companies and allow for unlimited use of JR trains in all of Japan, including Shinkansen (bullet train) and local JR lines. (But these are only available for foreign tourists, not for locals.)
These passes are convenient and good value for rail travel throughout Japan, especially if you are planning at least two long-distance train travels or visiting multiple cities during your stay. (e.g. A return trip from Tokyo to Kyoto will cost roughly as much as a 7-day JR Pass.)
JR Pass covers all nine Shinkansen lines that take you all over Japan. But keep in mind that the JR Pass doesn’t include the fastest Shinkansen services on these lines. For example, if you are traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto with the JR Pass, you can’t take Nozomi (fast bullet train) but can take Hikari (semi-fast train with a few additional stops) which takes around 20 minutes longer.
Where to sit on a Shinkansen to enjoy the best view
Traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto, choosing suitable seat arrangements is very important during the daytime. On the Shinkansen, the seat arrangement is three rows on the left-hand side of the aisle towards Kyoto and two rows on the right-hand side.
Departing from Tokyo and passing through Mishima, the majesty of Mt Fuji should be visible on the right side of the train (seats D and E) if the weather is good. It is the biggest highlight of the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto, and the spectacular view should not be missed.
Even if you have already booked the seat, you can still change it under certain conditions so it’s worth asking at the station. You can also buy non-reserve tickets for more flexibility. Nozomi (fast commuter train) has three non-reserve carriages, and Hikari (semi-fast train) has five non-reserve carriages.
I used to frequently travel with the Shinkansen. When I was traveling alone, I prefer using a non-reserved seat since I had more freedom where to sit. As long as I am in the non-reserved area, I could choose who to sit next to.
Tips for non-JR-Pass holders (to buy a one-way ticket)
JR Pass is worth it if you’re doing a return trip between Tokyo to Kyoto or planning to visit multiple cities. But for those who are simply looking to buy a one-way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto or in Japan for a brief stay, it might be cheaper to buy single tickets.
In that case, you can get a special discounted deal on the Kodama train (the slowest Shinkansen that stops at every station between Tokyo and Kyoto) called Platto Kodama (ぷらっとこだま).
JR Central Tours, a travel agency affiliated with JR Central, sells this discounted package.
Below are ticket prices during the normal seasons:
You can get a $10 ~ $30 discount on your tickets from Tokyo to Kyoto, and upgrading to premium Green Class is considerably cheaper. You also get a voucher for a free drink, even a can of beer (less than 350ml)!
There are downsides to the ticket as well, for example,
Less flexibility
Valid only for reserved seats on the designated trains.Must be purchased in advance
Must be purchased on the JR Central Tours website by 22:00 the day before and cannot be purchased on the day.Stricter cancellation policy
Unlike other train tickets, this is a part of the packaged tour, and the cancellation rule is more strict than normal tickets.You can only get on and off at the designated stations
No hopping on/off in between
You also need to be aware that you can only pick the tickets up from specific ticket machines and that you can only go through JR Central’s Shinkansen ticket gates with these tickets which can be a hassle if you don’t know your way around.
That said, if you don’t have a JR Pass, are not in a hurry, and know which exact days you are traveling, this could be a good option. It’s especially nice for those who want to upgrade to Green Class for more comfort for a cheaper price.
You can find more information on the website of JR Central Tours. The page is only available in Japanese so you’ll need to use browser translation. You can also make a call or visit one of their stores in Tokyo.
Other options
Shinkansen is not the only option to travel to Kyoto from Tokyo. You can take a local train which would take you around 8 and half hours at 60% the price of a Shinkansen ticket. You can also find buses and night buses at around $80.
But taking the Shinkansen is an experience that should not be missed when visiting Japan!