Travel Around Japan: Which Shinkansen Bullet Train Line to Take

The Shinkansen bullet train is one of the most convenient ways to travel across Japan, offering fast and comfortable transport. Whether you're heading to the northern cities of Hokkaido or the southern beaches of Kagoshima, just sit back in your comfortable seat, enjoy the passing scenery, and let the extensive Shinkansen network take you there. Here are some of the most popular Shinkansen lines on the network, providing great options to start your Japan tour.

Map of Shinkansen

Tokaido Shinkansen Line

• Tokyo - Yokohama - Nagoya - Kyoto - Osaka
• Best for: Tokyo to Kyoto (2.5h), Tokyo to Osaka (3h)

The Tokaido Shinkansen, starting at Tokyo Station and ending at Shin-Osaka Station, is the most popular Shinkansen line, passing through five of Japan's top tourist destinations: Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka.

There are three types of trains on this line: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama. If you plan to visit these five popular cities, the Nozomi is the fastest option, stopping only at these locations and taking about 2.5 hours to reach Osaka.

The Hikari and Kodama trains make more stops along the route. For example, Atami, known for its seaside views and hot springs, is just a 45-minute ride away, while Mount Fuji, offering stunning panoramic views from the train, takes about an hour to reach it.

Mount Fuji

Sanyo Shinkansen Line

• Osaka - Kobe - Okayama - Hiroshima - Kokura – Fukuoka
• Best for: Osaka to Hiroshima (2h) Osaka to Kobe (0.5h)

The Sanyo Shinkansen Line starts at Shin-Osaka Station and ends at Hakata Station, passing through Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, and Hiroshima. The entire journey takes about 2.5 hours.

There are five types of trains you can choose from. The fewer stops Nozomi and Sakura trains are still the faster options, only takes about 15 minutes to Kobe, famous for its beef and sake (Japanese rice wine).

After enjoying a gourmet meal in Kobe, you can continue westward to Himeji for another 15-minute ride, where the World Heritage Site Himeji Castle is located. Hiroshima, home to Peace Memory Park, is another popular destination on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line, about a 2-hour ride away from Osaka.

Shinkansen Bullet Train

Kyushu Shinkansen Line

• Fukuoka - Kumamoto - Kagoshima
• Best for: Fukuoka to Kumamoto (1h)

Connecting Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima, the Kyushu Shinkansen Line is a convenient way for passengers to travel through the southern parts of Japan.

The Kyushu Shinkansen Line departs from Hakata Station and terminates at Kagoshima-Chuo Station, and the entire journey takes about 1.5 hours.

About 35 minutes away by the Mizuho train is Kumamoto, located in the central part of Kyushu and home to Kumamoto Castle (one of the three great castles in Japan) and the Suizenji Jojuen Garden. A further 40-minute journey takes in the beautiful views of Mount Shiroyama in Kagoshima.

Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen Line

• Takeo - Nagasaki

In the western part of Kyushu, the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen Line connects Saga and Nagasaki. Also known as the shortest Shinkansen bullet train line in Japan, it offers magnificent views of the Saga Plain and the Ariake Sea.

This line starts at Takeo-Onsen Station and ends at Nagasaki Station, and the Kamome trains on this line take about 25 minutes to complete the entire journey.

Hokuriku Shinkansen Line

• Tokyo - Ueno - Omiya - Nagano - Toyama - Kanazawa
• Best for: Tokyo to Nagano (3h) Tokyo to Kanazawa (4.5h)

The Hokuriku Shinkansen Line starts at Tokyo Station and ends at Kanazawa Station. Connecting Tokyo, Nagano, and Kanazawa, it is one of the most convenient lines to explore the Northeast part of Japan, especially for nature and history lovers.

Before your journey to the west, you can stop at Ueno for a while, an ideal cherry blossom viewing place during your spring break. As you approach Karuizawa Station (about 1.5 hours from Tokyo), look out the train window for a spectacular view of the active volcano, Mt. Asama.

When you reach the final station, the little Kyoto of Kanazawa (about 2.5 hours from Tokyo), don't miss Kenrokuen Garden, which is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan.

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Joetsu Shinkansen Line

• Tokyo - Ueno - Omiya - Nagaoka - Niigata

Partly overlapping with the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the Joetsu Shinkansen Line also starts from Tokyo Station and, after passing through Jomo Kogen, heads north to Nagaoka and finally terminates at Niigata Station.

The whole journey usually takes about 2 hours on the Toki train, then you can soak up the cozy atmosphere in Niigata and start your skiing or hot spring holiday.

About 40 minutes from Tokyo, Kumagaya is also worth a visit. From there it is a 5-minute walk to the fairytale Kumagaya Sakura Tsutsumi, famous for its stunning views of cherry and rapeseed blossoms. As well as Echigo Yuzawa, a resort famous for its hot springs and snowy scenery.

Tohoku Shinkansen Line

• Tokyo - Ueno - Omiya - Sendai - Morioka - Aomori
• Best for: Tokyo to Sendai (1.5h) Tokyo to Aomori (3h)

From Tokyo Station to Shin-Aomori Station, the Tohoku Shinkansen is a line connecting Tokyo, Sendai, and Aomori, one of the best ways to explore the northeast part of Japan, as well as the gateway to begin your journey to Hokkaido.

It is quite a long line, about 675 km. However, thanks to Hayabusa, the fastest train in Japan, the 3-hour journey will take you to Aomori, home to Hirosaki Castle, best known for its cherry blossom festival and stunning fall foliage.

A drop-by at Sendai is also a good idea. About 2 hours away from Tokyo is the city that holds Japan's largest Tanabata Festival each summer. As for a winter journey, don't miss Mount Zao, one of Japan's most famous ski resorts, where numerous snow monsters (snow-covered trees) kick off a special snow festival.

Hirosaki Castle Cherry Blossoms

Akita Shinkansen Line

• Tokyo - Ueno - Omiya - Sendai - Morioka - Akita

The Akita Shinkansen is a branch of the Tohoku Shinkansen that runs west to Akita after passing through Morioka. The journey usually takes 4 hours and Komachi is the only station on the Akita line.

Reservations are required on this line, so don't forget to book early for your cozy Akita journey with thousands of hanging lanterns during the Kanto Matsuri in the summer.

Also worth a visit is Lake Tazawa at Tazawako Station, a stunning caldera lake where you can take a leisurely cruise along its calm waters, enjoy some water activities to beat the summer heat, hike around the nearby mountains, or steam in the white spring water.

Yamagata Shinkansen Line

• Tokyo - Ueno - Omiya - Yamagata - Shinjo

The Yamagata Shinkansen Line starts at Tokyo Station and ends at Shinjo Station, which is also one of the branch lines of the Tohoku Shinkansen. It takes about 3.5 hours to reach the final station, a harmonious garden city that blends with the countryside and nature.

Stop off at Yamagata Station, a 5-minute walk from the picturesque Yamadera Temple, built on a hill and dating back around 1,000 years, which is the most popular attraction in Yamagata.

If you are traveling to Japan in August, use the Yamagata Line to take part in the Shinjo Festival, which features colorful float parades and stalls selling local food.

Hokkaido Shinkansen Line

• Aomori - Kikonai - Hakodate

Best for: Tokyo to Hokkaido (4.5h, Combined with the Tohoku Shinkansen)

Connecting Honshu and Hokkaido, the Hokkaido Shinkansen Line will take you across the ocean to the northernmost part of Japan. If you like, a combination of the lines of Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen is always a good idea to make a Tokyo to Hokkaido journey.

Starts at Shin-Aomori Station and ends at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, and after an hour's ride through the undersea tunnel, you will arrive on the opposite side of the sea.

After lingering around Hakodate with its Goryokaku Park, you can follow the JR train keep the way northern to Otaru for its tranquillity; Lake Toya, to capture the fireworks at night; Sapporo, to join its grand Sapporo Snow Festival; and Biei, famous for its fascinating flower fields.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Travel Around Japan By Shinkansen Line

Have some clues about your Japan tour with the Shinkansen bullet train taking you around the charming city? Or a little bit confused about which line to take since there are so many lovely cities to see? Contact Odynovo with your requirements, we will not only provide a more detailed guide on Shinkansen but also the service that will set you free from the planning.