2h 8m, Direct
06:00
TokyoTokyo Station
08:08
KyotoKyoto Station
from
10844 USD
1
Hikari Train - Info, Classes & Tickets
1 Passenger
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Departure Time
Travel time
Arrival Time
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Morning trains
Day trains
Evening trains
First train
06:00
Last train
21:24
Travel duration
2h 20m
Daily departures
96
Departure station
Tokyo
Changes
direct
Arrival station
Kyoto
Ticket price
from $84
Fastest trip
2h 7m
Longest trip
3h 37m
Hikari overview
Hikari trains are Shinkansen trainsets used on the Tokaido and Sanyo high-speed lines in Japan. JR West operates Hikari services on the Sanyo Shinkansen, with trains serving stations such as Shin-Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Hakata, plus through services toward Kyoto, Nagoya, and Tokyo. The trains use streamlined electric multiple-unit sets with Ordinary Car seating and Green Car seating. Interior layout, car numbering, and non-reserved car placement depend on the trainset and timetable.
How to buy Hikari train tickets
To search Hikari tickets on Rail Monsters, enter departure and arrival stations, travel date, and passenger count in the search form at the top of the page. Available Hikari results show train times, Shinkansen stations, and Ordinary Car or Green Car options where listed. Compare departures across routes such as Tokyo to Kyoto, Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima, or Shin-Osaka to Hakata. Select the Hikari service that matches your trip, then continue to passenger details.
How to buy train tickets in Japan
Ticket office on station
Rail Monsters mobile app
Rail Monsters website
Hikari Classes Explained
Hikari Shinkansen trains offer Ordinary Car and Green Car seating. Ordinary Car is the standard option and may include reserved seats and non-reserved seats depending on the departure and trainset. Reserved Ordinary Car gives a specific carriage and seat, while non-reserved Ordinary Car allows boarding in designated cars when available. Green Car is the premium Shinkansen class, with wider seats and a more spacious layout than Ordinary Car. Gran Class is not used on Tokaido and Sanyo Hikari services. Check available Ordinary Car and Green Car choices through the search inputs at the top of the page.
from
$3120
Green Car
from
$945
Non-reserved
from
$2392
Ordinary Car
Most Popular Hikari Bullet Train Routes
Key Hikari Shinkansen routes in Japan
Popular Hikari routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, Nagoya to Kyoto, Shin-Osaka to Okayama, Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima, and Shin-Osaka to Hakata on selected Sanyo Shinkansen departures. JR West operates Hikari services on the Sanyo Shinkansen section, while through services connect with JR Central stations on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Hikari stopping patterns differ by train number: some trains serve major stations only, while others add intermediate stops such as Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Himeji, or Fukuyama. Check the exact departure, station list, and class availability for the selected travel date before booking.
Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen and visit Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Gion district
Tokyo
Japan
2h 20m
Kyoto
Japan
Travel from Tokyo to Osaka by Shinkansen and visit Universal Studios Japan or explore the streets of Namba and Dotonbori
Tokyo
Japan
2h 36m
Osaka
Japan
Travel from Osaka to Kyoto by train and visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, and the historic Gion district near Kyoto Station
Osaka
Japan
13m
Kyoto
Japan
Travel from Tokyo to Nagoya by Shinkansen and visit Nagoya Castle or the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park near Kanayama
Tokyo
Japan
1h 44m
Nagoya
Japan
Travel from Kyoto to Hiroshima by Shinkansen and visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park, or Miyajima island with Itsukushima Shrine
Kyoto
Japan
1h 40m
Hiroshima
Japan
Travel from Hiroshima to Tokyo by Shinkansen and see the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima before arriving at Tokyo Station for the Imperial Palace and Ginza shopping district
Hiroshima
Japan
3h 54m
Tokyo
Japan
Travel from Odawara to Kyoto by Shinkansen or limited express and visit Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the historic Gion district
Odawara
Japan
2h 17m
Kyoto
Japan
Travel from Tokyo to Odawara by train and access Odawara Castle, the Hakone area, and local onsen resorts near Hakone-Yumoto.
Tokyo
Japan
33m
Odawara
Japan
Travel from Shinagawa to Kyoto by Shinkansen and step off near Fushimi Inari Shrine or visit Kiyomizu-dera and Gion in Kyoto
Shinagawa
Japan
2h 14m
Kyoto
Japan
Travel from Tokyo to Yokohama by local and rapid trains and visit Minato Mirai, Cup Noodles Museum, and the Chinatown district
Tokyo
Japan
19m
Yokohama
Japan
Travel from Mishima to Kyoto by Shinkansen and visit Kiyomizu-dera or the Gion district for traditional streets and tea houses
Mishima
Japan
2h 16m
Kyoto
Japan
Travel from Shinagawa to Osaka by Shinkansen and arrive at Shin-Osaka Station to reach Umeda and Dotonbori for dining and entertainment
Shinagawa
Japan
2h 30m
Osaka
Japan
Travel from Yokohama to Osaka by Shinkansen and explore Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and Shin-Osaka Station for onward connections
Yokohama
Japan
2h 18m
Osaka
Japan
Travel from Osaka to Nagoya by Shinkansen and visit Nagoya Castle or explore Sakae district and Osu Shopping Street
Osaka
Japan
52m
Nagoya
Japan
Practical Luggage Guidelines for Hikari Travelers
Hikari luggage rules may vary by operator, route, or ticket type. On Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen services, very large luggage may require a reserved oversized baggage area seat on applicable routes. Check current JR West rules before travel.
How to Book Hikari Tickets
After selecting a Hikari departure, add passenger details, review the fare conditions, and complete payment online. Rail Monsters accepts international cards and major payment methods for supported Japan train bookings. After payment, booking confirmation arrives by email with ticket details for the selected Shinkansen service. Ticket format, exchange rules, and collection requirements depend on the route and fare type. Review changes, refunds, and baggage-related seat requirements before payment.
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Why Book Your Hikari Train Tickets with Rail Monsters?
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Rail Monsters helps travelers search Hikari Shinkansen tickets by route, date, passenger count, and class. You can compare JR West and through-service departures, review Ordinary Car or Green Car choices where listed, pay online, and manage booking details after purchase. Rail Monsters accepts bookings 6 to 12 months ahead of travel, which is useful for spring holidays, Golden Week, and New Year travel periods. Customer support is available for ticket questions.
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Experience the Best of Japan with Hikari
Hikari is a high-speed Shinkansen service in Japan, running on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen corridors between major stations such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Hakata. JR West operates Hikari services on the Sanyo section, with through services linking to JR Central territory. Hikari trains offer Ordinary Car seating and Green Car seating, with reserved and non-reserved Ordinary Car options on many departures. Travelers can search Hikari schedules and book tickets online through Rail Monsters.
Compare Japan Trains Before You Book: Hikari vs. Other Options
Hikari is faster than Kodama because it stops at fewer Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen stations, but it usually makes more stops than Nozomi. Compared with Limited Express trains in Japan, Hikari uses dedicated high-speed Shinkansen lines and offers Ordinary Car and Green Car seating. Compare available departures and book your tickets online.
Hikari Route Map - Find and Book Tickets
Hikari services run on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka and on the Sanyo Shinkansen toward Okayama, Hiroshima, and Hakata on selected departures. JR West operates Hikari trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen, while through services connect with JR Central stations such as Tokyo, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka. Stopping patterns vary by train number and timetable period.
FAQ and Facts About Hikari Routes in Japan
What type of train is Hikari in Japan?
Why choose Hikari for travel in Japan?
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JR West
JR West operates passenger trains across western Japan.