How To Travel From Tokyo To Osaka (2024)

It’s very easy to travel between Tokyo and Osaka. The shinkansen (bullet train) takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs Y13,620. Read on for full details.

The Takeaway

• The shinkansen (bullet train) is easily the best way to travel between Tokyo and Osaka
• It takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs Y13,620 between Tokyo and Osaka (non-reserved seat).
• You don’t need to reserve seats on the shinkansen if you travel outside of peak travel hours and outside of peak travel seasons.
• You can purchase Tokyo to Osaka shinkansen tickets online.
• Scroll down for English-language shinkansen timetables.
• In addition, there are night buses between Tokyo and Osaka if you want to save money.

The Details

Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Between Tokyo and Osaka

The best way to travel between Tokyo and Osaka is the shinkansen (bullet train). The fastest type of shinkansen, which is called the Nozomi, takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs Y13,620 for a one-way trip in an unreserved seat.

However, you cannot ride the Nozomi shinkansen with a Japan Rail Pass, but you can ride the next fastest type of shinkansen, which is called the Hikari. The Hikari takes about 2 hours and 53 minutes between Tokyo and Osaka, so it’s almost as fast. Just be sure not take the slowest type of shinkansen (the Kodama) as it stops a lot and is much slower. If you’re paying cash, then of course you should opt for the Nozomi to save yourself 23 minutes.

(See our separate page for details about how the Japan Rail Pass works and how to buy it).

In Tokyo, you can catch the shinkansen at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station. All shinkansen stop at both stations. I like to get on at Tokyo Station because it’s the first station so I can usually get a seat. In the opposite direction, if I’m coming from Kyoto and want to switch to the Narita Express, I sometimes switch at Shinagawa, because it’s a short walk from the shinkansen platforms to the Narita Express platforms at Shinagawa and it’s LONG hike at Tokyo Station. This would also hold true in the opposite direction (ie, if you want to switch between the Narita Express and the shinkansen and go straight to Osaka, it’s easier to switch at Shinagawa).

In Osaka, the shinkansen operate from Shin-Osaka Station, which is inconveniently located a few kilometers north of the true downtown. Luckily, Shin-Osaka is on the Midosuji subway line, which stops in downtown Osaka (Umeda, Honmachi, Shinsaibashi, Namba, Tennoji etc).

Do You Need Reserved Seats on the Shinkansen?

Normally, you don’t need a reserved ticket to get a seat on the shinkansen. You can just show up, buy an unreserved ticket and board the next shinkansen going your way. However, if you are traveling at rush hour (between 7am and 9am and 4pm and 7pm) or during peak travel seasons (31 Dec-3 Jan; the first week of May and mid-August), you should consider buying reserved tickets in advance. With a Japan Rail Pass, you can make reservations at any JR ticket window, up to one month in advance of your travel. You cannot reserve from overseas. HINT: If you have unreserved tickets and you find that the unreserved cars are full on the next train heading out, just stand in line at the boarding spot for the next train so you can board it first – this will usually guarantee a seat and you probably won’t have to wait more than 15 minutes.

If you use Klook to book your Tokyo to Osaka tickets online you can make seat reservations at the time of booking.

First and Last Shinkansen Departures

During the day, there are several shinkansen every hour between Osaka and Kyoto. You rarely have to wait more than 10 minutes for a train. The approximate first and last departures are listed below:

• Westbound (Tokyo to Osaka): 6:00am first / 9:23pm last
• Eastbound (Osaka to Tokyo): 6:00am first / 9:23pm last

Shinkansen Schedules and Timetables

• English-language shinkansen timetables: JR Central English Site
• English-language timetable and route search: Jorudan
• You can also view timetables and purchase Tokyo to Osaka tickets online.

Willer Express Bus Between Tokyo and Osaka

You can save a lot of money by taking a Willer Express bus between Tokyo and Osaka. These buses take around 8 hours and cost about Y7,000. In Tokyo, these buses operate from the Willer bus terminal in West Shinjuku (and some other locations, see the site for details). In Osaka, these buses operate from the Willer Bus Terminal at the Umeda Sky Building in Kita. For more information and online ticket purchase in English, visit the Willer Express Bus site. There are other night buses between Tokyo and Osaka which you can book online too.

JR Night Bus Between Osaka and Kyoto

Another cheap option for traveling between Tokyo and Osaka is a JR night bus. These night buses take about 8 hours minutes and cost an average of Y9,500. In Tokyo, they leave from the JR bus terminal outside the Yaesu South Exit in front of Tokyo Station. In Osaka, they leave from the JR bus terminal at JR Osaka Station. Unfortunately, there is no English-language site for JR highway buses. So, for inquiries and ticket purchase, go to any JR ticket window or any travel agent in Japan.

Osaka District Map

Click an Osaka district for detailed info on attractions, places to eat and accommodation