Getting from Tokyo to Osaka: The Ultimate Guide

If you are visiting Japan for the first time, or have only been to Tokyo and you’re still pondering where to go next, Osaka might be your best bet.

Osaka City is the perfect combination of Japan’s heritage with a modern twist. Whether you're a foodie, a history enthusiast, or just want to get that dopamine rush while shopping, Osaka has something for you at every corner.

Traveling between these two bustling cities is easier than you might think. We have compiled the existing transportation options all in one spot so you can seamlessly hop from Japan’s capital to the cosmopolitan city of Osaka.

The most common transportation methods to travel from Tokyo to Osaka are buses, domestic flights, or the Shinkansen. If you are traveling on a budget or want to arrive in Osaka with some spare cash, buses offer a much cheaper alternative, though the journey is significantly longer. If you just can’t wait to arrive in Osaka, domestic flights take about one and a half hours and the ticket costs about ¥10,000 per person. However, most tourists are drawn to the Shinkansen, which is faster and costs less than flying. In this article, we will introduce the different ways of traveling from Tokyo to Osaka.

JR Pass for Traveling from Tokyo to Osaka

Before going into the specifics of each transportation method, one must-have you can’t miss while traveling in Japan is the JR Pass.

The Japan Rail Pass, known as the JR Pass, provides access to a wide range of trains from six JR Group companies, including the Shinkansen High-speed rail lines. JR Pass holders can also use the local lines of JR Bus for free. While direct bus routes between Tokyo and Osaka are not typically operated by JR Bus companies, JR Kanto and Nishinihon JR Bus primarily serve the Kanto and Kansai regions, including Tokyo and Osaka, respectively.

The JR Pass offers various validity periods, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your travel itinerary.

Here’s the breakdown of the prices for the ordinary cars:

How to Purchase the JR Pass?

You can purchase the JR Pass online from authorized retailers such as JRailPass or through specific JR Rail companies like JR East. You can also purchase an Exchange Order from authorized sales offices or agents before traveling to Japan. Upon your arrival in Japan, just present your Exchange Order and passport at a Japan Rail Pass exchange office in a major JR station to receive your pass within the first 3 months of the issuance of the exchange order. You can also claim your JR Pass at the Ticket Office (“Midori-no-madoguchi”). While you cannot purchase a JR Pass from ticket machines at stations in Japan, these machines are incredibly useful once you have your pass, since you can use them to reserve seats on specific trains.

Bus: Budget-Friendly Option

There’s a wide variety of local buses to choose from. The luggage volume limit varies by operator. For example, JAM JAM allows luggage up to 120 cm in total dimensions and 10kg.

You can make your booking via Kosokubus.

Resource: Kosoku Bus

High-Speed Railway: The Shinkansen

Three main types of Shinkansen run from Tokyo to Osaka: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama. We break down the different fares and essential information about them for you right here:

Nozomi Shinkansen: Fastest Option

• Travel Time: About 2.5 hours
• Stops: Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka
• JR Pass: Not valid for Nozomi. However, if you are a JR Pass holder, you have the option to buy a special additional ticket priced at just ¥4,960, allowing you to ride the Nozomi train.

Hikari Shinkansen: Balanced Option

• Price: ¥8,360 (basic fare) + ¥5,490 (super express surcharge), ¥530 discount for non-reserved seats
• Travel Time: About 2 hours 50 minutes
• Stops: Major stations like Odawara, Shizuoka, and Hamamatsu, plus the main ones
• JR Pass: Valid

Kodama Shinkansen: Scenic Route

• Price: Same as Hikari for basic fare
• Travel Time: About 3 hours 40 minutes
• Stops: All 16 stations between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka
• JR Pass: Valid

To book a Shinkensan ticket, you can visit the Smart-EX or download its mobile apps. You can choose the date, time, service, and preferred seating online on the website or apps. All the price and time information are included on the website and app.

Resource: Smart - EX

To determine which option suits you better, first, you’ve got to identify your needs. If speed is your priority and you’re not using a JR Pass, Nozomi is your ideal. However, If you’ve got time to spare and relax, Kodama would be the perfect option since it stops at every station, allowing you to bask in the gorgeous scenic views Japan has to offer. The Hikari is a great middle-ground option, and the fact it is covered by the JR pass is just the icing on the cake.

Reserved seats require a ¥ 2,290 additional charge for both Hikari and Kodama. All Shinkansen options have a ¥ 200 discount for the off-peak season and a ¥ 200 surcharge for the peak season. If you are traveling with children from the ages of 6-11, the fare paid would be half the adult fare.

As for luggage options, you can only bring two pieces of luggage (length, width, and height must not add up to more than 250 cm, and weight must not exceed 30 kg). Prior reservation is required for luggage exceeding 160cm, and they must be stored in the designated oversized luggage areas. These areas are typically located behind the last seats of the train car or in special compartments between cars. If you are traveling with toddlers or small children who require baby strollers, put a pin on this, since these restrictions apply for special items.

LuggAgent - Tokyo to Osaka Luggage Delivery Service

If you are leaning towards the Shinkansen, it's important to consider how much luggage you plan to take. You also have to think about the time needed to travel from your hotel in Tokyo to the train station and from the arrival station to your next hotel in Osaka.

We’d advise you to plan your itinerary in advance. If you are carrying big suitcases or special items, you might have to take more time out of your day to see your luggage through, which could be invested in other activities you’ve planned.

One of the best things about Japan is that it’s home to convenient and innovative solutions such as luggage delivery services. LuggAgent will help with your luggage transferring problem! They take care of your luggage from the minute you step foot into the airport, whether you are changing hotels, or when you’re departing back home, so you don’t have to worry about carrying your suitcases on the train or bus stations. With the help of LuggAgent, your luggage will be delivered safely and quickly. You don't have to worry about the luggage forwarding process and our delivery will make sure all of your belongings arrive at the place you want in time.

We offer a mind-blowing same-day delivery service from Tokyo to Osaka. That’s right, you don’t have to worry about your bags arriving long after you, you can relax and enjoy the beauty of Osaka without having to check in at the hotel to get your bags to a safe place. This service is a lifesaver if you want to travel light and enjoy your trip without luggage hassle. If you are transferring hotels to and fro Tokyo and Osaka, you can just leave your bags at the hotel reception and your luggage will arrive at your next destination before 9 PM. There’s also no baggage limit! So you don’t have to limit yourself in the Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street!

The only thing you have to remember is to make your bookings 24 hours in advance. All of the information and customer service they provide is in English, so you don’t have to worry about miscommunications or getting lost in translation!