Nagoya is Japan's fourth biggest city, and has a lot to offer as it was a castle town during the Japanese Edo Period (1603–1868).
Toyota's headquarters are also in Nagoya, which makes it a great place to visit on your trip to Japan if you are interested in Japan's technological advancements.
To get to Nagoya from Tokyo, we suggest taking the Japanese Shinkansen bullet train. This is both the quickest and most convenient way to get between the two cities, and offers you the opportunity to see the amazing views of the Japanese countryside, including views of Mount Fuji.
Other options include the bus for the cheapest way, as well as a short domestic flight or private transfer.
Nagoya Castle1. Get the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya: The Best Way
The Shinkansen bullet train connects Tokyo and Nagoya, with the Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama trains serving the Nagoya train station.
Given their punctuality, their convenience, and their comfort, these high-speed trains are definitely the best way to get to Nagoya, and our top recommendation for the journey.
Which Shinkansen Train to Take?
Nozomi, Hikari, or Kodama?
There are a few different types of Shinkansen trains, and both the Nozomi and the Hikari are good options for getting to Nagoya from Tokyo. Both of these are quick, with the Nozomi train being slightly faster as it has fewer stops in between.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Nozomi train is not covered on the Japan Rail Pass (the most affordable way to get unlimited travel on Japan's Shinkansen for your time in Japan if you are planning to take a number of trains while you are there), unless you pay an additional fee.
There is also a Kodama train, but this train takes around 2½ hours which is a little longer due to more stops along the way, but prices are comparable to the Hikari trains.
Due to this, we would recommend taking the Hikari train if you are traveling on the Japan Rail Pass, and the Nozomi train if you aren't traveling on the rail pass.
You can learn more about the Japan Rail Pass in the section about buying tickets below.
| Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya | Nozomi | Hikari | Kodama |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journey Time (approx.) | 1½ hours | 1¾ hours | 2½ hours |
| Non-Reserved Price (approx.) | US$90.00 | US$76.00 | US$76.00 |
| Reserved Price (approx.) | US$100.00 | US$85.00 | US$85.00 |
| Japan Rail Pass | Extra fee approx. US$30 | Permitted | Permitted |
| Train Frequency | Every 6–10 minutes | Two per hour | Once per hour |
Train Schedules
There are a lot of trains in Japan, and it is normal to feel a little overwhelmed by the amount of information presented.
Generally, there are plenty of trains going throughout the day, with the Nozomi having the most frequent departures, and the Hikari trains that are suggest here departing approximately every half an hour between 6am and 9pm.
- Nozomi: depart regularly, every 6–10 minutes
- Hikari trains: depart approximately every half an hour.
- Kodama trains: these run every hour.
Train times are usually released around 2–3 months ahead of time, and it is not possible to buy your tickets earlier than this.
How to Buy Your Train Tickets?
The best way to get your tickets depends on if you are taking more Shinkansen trains during your time in Japan.
We suggest looking into a Japan Rail Pass, which covers travel throughout the country for a certain amount of time (including Hikari and Kodama trains, and Nozomi at a supplemental fee). 7-day Japan Rail Passes start at US$331, while a Green Pass (this is the train's first class), will cost US$464 per person. There are also 14- and 21-day options.
For those who have the Japan Rail Pass, tickets are not necessary. You can show up and sit in the non-reserved carriage, or if you want to reserve a seat with your pass you can do that through the Japan Rail website or at ticket offices in the station.
If you don't have a Japan Rail Pass and need to purchase a stand-alone ticket, you will pay a base fee for your journey plus a bullet train additional fee. You can also pay extra to reserve a seat, or to travel in the Green Car (first class).
Prices for a one-way ticket to Nagoya are just under US$100, so it's worth considering if the Japan Rail Pass will be a better deal for your time in Japan.
If you are traveling with children, kids between the ages of 6 and 11 pay 50% of an adult's fare, while two children up to the age of 5 can travel for free with each paying adult.
Is it Necessary to Buy Tickets in Advance and Reserve Your Seats?
Whether or not you need to get your ticket in advance depends on when you are traveling to Nagoya.
If you are traveling in the peak season of March to May as well as October to Mid-December, we highly suggest booking in advance and reserving a seat on your train. Trains can get busy, with Japan being an increasingly popular travel destination. We also recommend booking a seat on the right-hand side, or mountain-side, where you will get the best views of Mount Fuji depending on weather conditions.
If you're traveling outside of the peak season, there is generally no need to book in advance. You can get your tickets at the station on the day, or just take the non-reserved carriage if you are using the Japan Rail Pass.
Which Station to Use in Tokyo?
There are two stations you can take the Shinkansen from in Tokyo; Tokyo Station or Shinagawa. Each have their pros and their cons, which we have laid out in our articles about taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto.
How to Board Your Shinkansen Train?
At either of Tokyo's two stations, you can use either your paper ticket or your digital QR ticket to get through the barriers at the station. Signage at the stations will list your platform number, and there are always information desks should you need some more help.
If you are using a paper ticket, don't forget to take it out at the other side of the barrier because there are also ticket checks onboard.
Train Luggage Allowance and Luggage Delivery
Each Shinkansen ticket includes two pieces of luggage, for which the combined length, width, and height cannot exceed 250 cm (or 98 inches). Their individual weight also cannot exceed 30 kilograms (66 pounds).
To bring oversized luggage, you need to book a seat with an oversized baggage area nearby, These seats can be reserved in advance online or at the train station. If you are bringing strollers or wheelchairs, or bicycles in cases, you do not need to book these seats ahead of time.
Japan is also home to an amazing luggage delivery service that allows you to ship your luggage to your destination ahead of time. This is called takuhaibin, and can be booked at hotels or at the train station.
Takuhaibin can really transform a journey if you are carrying a lot of luggage, particularly if you're with children or you have a lot of luggage, as it means you only need to take a day's worth of items with you on the train, and your luggage can be waiting at your hotel for you.
Takuhaibin services costs around US$20 per 25 kg (or 55 lbs) item of luggage, and it can either arrive the same day or the next day depending on when you ship it.
2. Take a Flight from Tokyo to Nagoya
If you prefer to fly, or if you are already at one of Tokyo's airports and want to head straight to Nagoya, there are also flights connecting the two. The flight takes around an hour, and one-way tickets will cost around US$75 on Japan Airlines, and you will fly from Tokyo's Haneda Airport or Narita Airport and come into Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport.
If you are coming from abroad, it's worth noting that Nagoya Centrair International Airport is also served by other countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore and China.
While this is not the most recommend way if you're in Tokyo city, we can suggest this for travelers already at the airport in Tokyo wanting to continue their journey on to Nagoya from the airport.
3. Get a Bus from Tokyo to Nagoya: the Cheapest Way
For budget travelers, there are also buses between Tokyo and Nagoya. Even though the journey takes between 5 and 6 hours, the prices for buses start at around US$17, making this the cheapest option for transport between the two cities if you aren't in a rush and don't mind a longer bus ride.
Buses depart from Tokyo Station every two hours on the JR Bus Kanto Chou Liner Nagoya, or using Keio Dentetsu Bus four times a day from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Meitetsu Bus Center at Nagoya Station.
4. Get a Private Transfer between Tokyo and Nagoya
Your final option would be to get a private transfer between the two, which Asia Highlights can help you arrange. While definitely not the quickest option (the drive is just under 4 hours), this can be convenient if you have a lot of luggage that you don't want to send ahead, or if you'd rather travel together by car.
The drive takes you through beautiful countryside, just like the train does, but you will be brought from door to door by an experienced driver.
It is also possible to take a regular taxi, and this ride costs around US$550 at least, depending on traffic and time of the day.
Can I Take a Day Trip from Tokyo to Nagoya?
It is possible to do the trip to Nagoya in a day, technically, but we do recommend staying for a night or two, given that your train ride will take up at least 3 hours including transfers to and from the train stations. Doing Nagoya in just one day would be a big rush.
You might like to read The Best Ways to Travel from Nagoya to Kyoto
Exploring Japan with Asia Highlights
The Asia Highlights team have decades of experience creating custom itineraries, and we also have some amazing Japan tours ready. Should you want to tailor any of the itineraries listed below, please don't hesitate to contact us today.
For visitors looking to visit Nagoya as well as see Japan's amazing other cities and experience Japanese culinary delights, we suggest:
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.