The 4 Best Ways to Travel from Tokyo to Osaka

Osaka is well-known for its fun, food, and its nightlife, and is just a few hours away from Tokyo.

We suggest taking the Japanese Shinkansen bullet train to get there, due to the fact that it is very quick, the views are great on the way, and the seats are comfortable. It's one of the fastest trains in the world, which is a great experience.

Read on for other options to get to Osaka, including by bus, by car, and by airplane.

1. Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka: The Best Way

Taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka is your best bet for convenience, speed, reliability, but also price and time trade-off. Relax on a comfortable and speedy train while watching the Japanese countryside pass by, and if you travel on a clear day, you will even be able to see the magnificent peak of Mount Fuji in passing.

Read on to find out more about how to get there, how long it takes, which trains are best to take, and whether you need to book in advance.

Which Trains Are Best: Nozomi, Hikari, or Kodama?

There are a few different types of Shinkansen bullet trains: Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama. The difference between these is the number of stops along the way, and thus the speed at which they get to your destination.

The Nozomi trains are the fastest, taking just 2½ hours to get to Osaka from Tokyo and departing every approximately 6–10 minutes. These trains are not included in the Japan Rail Pass unless you pay a small supplemental fee, which you can do at the station.

The second-fastest trains are the Hikari trains, which are covered by the Japan Rail Pass. This is the train we'd recommend for Japan Rail Pass travelers, unless you're open to paying the small additional fee, or unless you are traveling outside of the pass. In that case we suggest taking the Nozomi. Hikari trains take around 3 hours.

Your final option is the Kodama train, which takes around 4 hours. It is still high-speed, and costs slightly less, but takes that little longer due to the additional stops on the line.

Shinkansen trains usually have food and beverage carts coming through, but prices are a little higher so we suggest bringing your own snacks if you can.

Tokyo–Osaka Shinkansen Trains Summary Table

Train Schedules

There are a lot of trains to take you between Tokyo and Osaka.

Japanese trains schedules can feel a little overwhelming, particularly if you're not used to the number of different options available. Once you've picked your train type, Japan Transit Planner is one of the more popular tools to find train times.

Trains run between around 6am and 9pm, and there are trains every 6–10 minutes (Nozomi), every half an hour (Hikari), and every hour (Kodama).

If you are traveling on the Nozomi Shinkansen you don't even really need to check the schedule if you're not traveling in peak season (March to May and October to mid-December), because there are so many trains, making it really convenient.

How to Buy Shinkansen Tickets

Shinkansen tickets are available approximately 2–3 months ahead of time, and you can either buy them in advance, at the ticket machines or counters at the station on the day, or you don't need to book them at all if you're using the Japan Rail Pass and happy to travel in the non-reserved carriage.

If you have some other cities in mind to travel to with the bullet train, we highly suggest investing in a Japan Rail Pass, which covers unlimited travel on Shinkansen trains (Hikari and Kodama, and Nozomi too for an extra fee).

The pass is worth the money if you have a few journeys in mind — standard passes start at US$331 for 7 days, while a green pass (Japan Rail's first class), costs US$464. There are 14-day and 21-day options, too. If you do have this pass, you don't need a ticket, you can just show up and sit in the non-reserved carriage, or you can reserve a seat at the station or on the Japan Rail website.

For a one-off ticket, you will have to pay the base fare which is dependent on distance, a bullet train fee, and you will have the option to either pay to reserve a seat or to go into first class (the Green Car). A one-way ticket from Tokyo to Osaka costs around US$120. These tickets can be bought at the station or online in advance. There is also the SmartEX app, which is popular for booking.

Children between the ages of 6 and 11 pay half the adult fare, and up to two kids under the age of 5 can travel free with an adult.

Should You Purchase Tickets in Advance / Reserve Seats?

Whether you need to book tickets in advance depends on the time of year you're looking to travel.

Peak season is March to May as well as October to mid-December, and during this time we definitely recommend booking ahead of time and reserving a seat. Particularly if you are traveling with multiple people or if you have larger luggage.

At other times of the year, because there are so many trains, it's usually fine to book or reserve either the day before or the day of travel. We suggest reserving a seat on the right-hand side, or asking for a seat where you'll be able to see Mount Fuji on your way.

Which Station to Use in Tokyo and How to Board Your Train

Trains from Tokyo to Osaka depart from Tokyo Station, then stop at Shinagawa, and then go on towards Kyoto and Shin-Osaka Station. You can get on at either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa.

Getting on at Shinagawa makes it a little easier to navigate the station since this is smaller than Tokyo Station, while getting on at Tokyo Station makes it more likely to find a seat if you haven't reserved. We suggest going from Shinagawa and reserving a seat in advance, unless you want to visit shops or restaurants in Tokyo Station, which is bigger and has more going on.

At either station, you'll be able to find the right platform using signs at the station. There are also staff on site to help you navigate should you get lost. Platforms have automatic gates that you can either put your physical ticket into (don't forget to take it out at the other side of the ticket reader) and a QR code scanner if you have a QR ticket.

Train Luggage Allowance and Luggage Delivery from Tokyo to Osaka

Your Shinkansen ticket includes a luggage allowance of two pieces per person. Each bag's length, width, and height cannot exceed 250 cm (or 98 inches) and suitcases cannot weigh over 30 kilograms (66 pounds).

If you have larger luggage or pieces, you need to book a seat with luggage space especially so that you can sit in an area where you can fit the larger luggage. Exceptions to the luggage size restrictions include strollers, wheelchairs, or a bicycle in a carrier.

Japan also has an incredible luggage transfer service called takuhaibin. Through your hotel or at the train station it is possible to arrange for your luggage to be delivered to Osaka either the same day or the next day, saving you from having to carry it around or up and down stairs. A suitcase weighing less than 25 kilograms (or 55 pounds) costs around US$10 to ship from Tokyo to Osaka.

2. Flights from Tokyo to Osaka

There are flights from Tokyo to Osaka that take around 1 hour to 1 hour 25 minutes. While the flight itself is faster than the train ride, there is of course the time you need to get to/from the airport and checking in time that adds up. While we suggest taking the train if you're already in Tokyo, if you are going straight from Tokyo Airport to Osaka, transferring onto another flight is a good idea.

Prices range between US$60 and US$100, with Japan Airlines an ANA on the more premium side of airlines offering this route, and Peach and Jetstar Japan offering more budget options.

There are plenty of flights per day, most going from Haneda Airport, and some departing from Narita Airport. You can generally get tickets quite last minute because of the many flights available on this route, but booking ahead is better if you wish to save money.

3. Buses from Tokyo to Osaka

There are options to take a bus from Tokyo to Osaka. The buses take around 8 hours, but prices are low starting from approximately US$20. This is a good option if you are looking to travel to Osaka on a budget. Willer Budget run a lot of the budget buses, and there are also more premium options if you're open to pay US$50 or up. Buses go during the day or overnight.

4. Car / Private Vehicle from Tokyo to Osaka

Driving from Tokyo to Osaka is possible, and takes around 5 and a half hours minimum, more with traffic. While it is possible to rent a car or to book a private transfer, this is definitely not the fastest option nor the cheapest option. There are also tolls on expressways that cost around US$70.

If you're traveling with a family and prefer to take this route, do reach out to Asia Highlights, because our experts can help book you a private transfer with a safe and trustworthy driver. Contact us.

Can I Take a Day Trip from Tokyo to Osaka?

Due to the speed of the Shinkansen, it is possible to do a day trip from Tokyo to Osaka, although it will definitely be a busy and long day! The fastest train takes 2 and a half hours, and the first train leaves Tokyo at 6am, with the last train departing Shin-Osaka Station at 9.24pm. This gives you a good day to explore from mid-late morning until the evening. If you do decide to do this, please book your train back ahead of time to ensure you don't miss it.

We do suggest that if you'd like to visit Osaka, you stay for a night or two if your itinerary allows it, because Osaka has a lot to offer and is worth exploring.

You might like to read more about how to get around Japan:

How to Get around Japan — the Most Practical Ways

The Best Ways to Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto

Exploring Japan with Asia Highlights

Asia Highlights have decades of experience delivering custom tours, and our experts know the best places to visit in Japan. If you'd like to explore Japan, we would love to put together the best possible itinerary for you, and curate your visits to your preferences, needs, and requirements.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are looking for a unique Japan experience.