How to Book the Shinkansen Train: Fast and Easy Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto

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We’d heard it over and over—any visit to Japan would be incomplete without seeing Kyoto. But with only a week, and Tokyo already packed with plans, squeezing in Kyoto felt like a challenge. Determined to make the most of our time, we booked tickets on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto. Six hours by car? No thanks. The Nozomi bullet train cut that down to just two, letting us experience Japan’s efficiency firsthand. We found a great package deal on Japanican, which included train tickets and an overnight stay in a Kyoto hotel.

Table of Contents

• Shinkansen Package Deal to Kyoto
• Shinkansen Categories
• Amenities on the Trains
• What We Did in Kyoto
• The Return Trip to Tokyo
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Shinkansen Package Deal to Kyoto

Kyoto is a lovely city that used to be the capital of Imperial Japan. It is also the home of a thousand temples and the Geisha (Geiko in Kyoto).

We purchased a package deal on www.Japanican.com, including tickets and an overnight stay at a Kyoto hotel. You can select the train, but be aware that the fare is higher the faster you travel. We selected the Hikari train based on how much we wanted to spend. However, as a reference, we spent $360 on the two tickets and hotel stay.

Booking the Tickets

City Discovery was the actual vendor for the tickets. We selected the travel dates, train, and hotel room categories from the available selections during the booking process. We chose the Karasuma Kyoto Hotel based on the pictures and hotel reviews. It was a beautiful hotel in the heart of Kyoto, and close to all the public transportation, which we frequently used over those two days. The hotel was located on Karasuma Dori, a main street in Kyoto, minutes from the Metro and bus lines.

The tickets were delivered to our Tokyo hotel two days before our trip. They were waiting for us at check-in. All we knew was that we would depart between 6 and 8 am and return the next day between 2 and 4 pm. The tickets tell you the departure time, car, and seat number. Most trains have reserved seating in the rear cabins. Our departure time was 6:30 am when we received our tickets, placing us in Kyoto before 9 am. It was much too early to check in to our hotel, but plenty of time to explore the city.

Shinkansen Categories

The Hikari is the second fastest train category along the Tokaido Shinkansen, reaches up to 220 km/h or about 136 mph and serves a few more stations than the Nozomi (the fastest), requiring about three hours to reach Shin-Osaka from Tokyo. There are two departures per hour in each direction, one operating between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka and the other between Tokyo and Okayama on the Sanyo Shinkansen.

The Nozomi Shinkansen is one of only a few JR trains that cannot be used with the Japan Rail Pass and can get up to 300 km/h (186 mph). The rail pass is costly at 29,110 Yen for a regular ticket. That’s roughly $236 as of today’s rate of exchange. The Kodama is the slowest train category along the Tokaido Shinkansen, stopping at all stations and requiring about four hours to reach Shin-Osaka from Tokyo. There are usually two departures per hour in each direction, one between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka and one between Tokyo and Nagoya. Some trains during AM and PM rush hours are first come, first served.

Amenities and Navigating the Shinkansen Experience

Amenities on the Shinkansen Trains

The Shinkansen trains set the standard for clean, efficient, and reliable travel. These trains are immaculate, and they always run on time. You’ll find a dining car that offers a selection of snacks and beverages, but if you prefer to stay in your seat, a cart comes through each car several times during the trip. Each seat has an outlet at your feet, so you can plug in your laptop or charge your devices while you enjoy the ride. However, free Wi-Fi is notably absent on the train, unlike on the station platforms.

The Japanese are known for their polite demeanor, and it extends to the Shinkansen. Announcements politely remind riders to keep the noise down and refrain from talking on their phones. Unfortunately, there’s no restriction on bringing food, so you may catch a whiff of some strong aromas—especially with Asia’s famously bold flavors.

Navigating the Station and Boarding the Shinkansen

We started our journey by catching the Metro at Hiro-o station, the closest to the New Sanno Resort, on the Hibiyo Line. After a quick transfer, we arrived at Shinagawa Station, one of Tokyo’s major transport hubs, where you can also board the Shinkansen at Shin-Yokohama Station. I recommend arriving at least 20 minutes early, just in case you get turned around or need extra time to find your platform.

Once at the station, follow the signs marked “Shinkansen.” You’ll need both your Metro ticket and Shinkansen ticket to get through the turnstile, as you’re essentially exiting one station and entering another. After you pass through, the Shinkansen ticket will be validated and returned to you. Keep it handy once you board the train, as you’ll need it to show the train staff and again to exit at your final destination.

Our Arrival in Kyoto

After a smooth ride, we arrived in Kyoto. We quickly dropped off our bags at the hotel, but any grand plans for immediate sightseeing were dashed by fatigue. Instead, we grabbed a quick bite at a local diner and treated ourselves to a well-deserved traveler’s nap. After waking up refreshed, we were ready to hit the streets with the excitement and energy of two teenagers—or at least close to it!

What We Did in Kyoto

Kyoto is a city that invites you to step back in time, and we tried to pack as much as possible into our 36 hours. Our first adventure was hiking up Mount Inari, where we followed the famous path through thousands of bright red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. The hike rewarded us with stunning views of Kyoto from above. Afterward, we visited several temples, each one offering its own unique atmosphere. Some were serene and almost meditative, while others buzzed with the energy of visitors.

Exploring the streets of Gion, Kyoto’s famous geisha district, felt like stepping into a living postcard. The narrow streets lined with traditional wooden machiya houses took us back in time. We didn’t spot any geisha, but the experience of just being in such a historic area was mesmerizing.

For dinner, we indulged in a zen-inspired meal at a traditional ryokan. The multi-course kaiseki dinner was artfully presented, each dish reflecting the seasons and local ingredients. That evening, we also attended a kabuki performance and a Maiko (apprentice geisha) performance, which gave us a deeper appreciation for the city’s cultural history and its preserved traditions. The grace, poise, and artistry displayed in both performances left us in awe.

The next day, we participated in a traditional tea ceremony, where we learned the precise and beautiful rituals behind Japan’s famous matcha tea. It was a peaceful, contemplative experience that contrasted nicely with the whirlwind of activity we’d been doing. Before heading back, we found time to shop for kimonos in the local markets, each fabric telling a story of its own through patterns and colors. It was the perfect souvenir from our trip.

Though it was a packed schedule, it felt like the perfect introduction to Kyoto’s rich culture, history, and hospitality.

The Return Trip to Tokyo

On our return to Tokyo, we got an unexpected treat. Boarding the Shinkansen at the end of the line, we witnessed a cool feature of the train—right before our eyes, the seats mechanically shifted from rear-facing to front-facing with the touch of a button. It was a simple but impressive piece of engineering that added to the efficiency and futuristic feel of Japan’s trains.

As the Shinkansen sped back to Tokyo, we reflected on the whirlwind 36 hours in Kyoto. We’d squeezed a lot into a short time but came away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for this incredible city. Cool train tricks and all, it was the perfect way to end our brief yet unforgettable journey.

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