From Tokyo to Kyoto: Tips You Must Know about Shinkansen, JR Pass and Luggage Restriction

Have you been to Kyoto? Kyoto is a historical city that was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868. It is full of political, economical and cultural meaning in the whole city. Although Kyoto was destroyed many times by the wars, there are still plenty of old temples and buildings such as Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace that deserve to be visited.

Kyoto is in the middle part of Honshu, the biggest island of Japan. It is about 370 kilometers west of Tokyo, which takes people about 2.5 to 3 hours to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen. As a result, we will talk about how to take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, including the train options, the luggage limitation and the usage of JR Pass in this article.

Shinkansen: the Fastest and Most Convenient Way to Travel

Taking the Shinkansen is definitely the best way to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto because of its high speed and convenience. Normally, it would take about 2 to 3 hours, depending on which type of train you take. There are three kinds of Shinkansen that travel between Tokyo and Kyoto: Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama. The price of tickets is between ¥12,000 to ¥19,000. In the next paragraph, we will talk about the three types of trains in detail.

According to Japan Rail Pass, Nozomi is the fastest train because it has the least stops. As a result, the travel time is about 2 hours and 10 minutes. However, tourists need to pay more attention when taking Nozomi since it is not included in the Japan Rail Pass, which means you cannot use JR Pass to take Nozomi.

Both Hikari and Kodama can use JR Pass. The difference between the two is that Hikari has fewer stops and on the other hand, Kodama would stop at every small station from Tokyo to Kyoto. Hence, Hikari takes 2 hours and 50 minutes and Kodama takes 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Nazomi train, resource: Japan Rail & Travel

Hikari train, resource: Smart Ex

Kodama train, resource: Wikipedia

Luggages Restriction of the Shinkansen

Since 2020, Shinkansen has set a rule regarding the pieces and size of people’s luggages. Every person can bring two luggages on board. However, the total of each baggage’s length, width and height cannot exceed 160 centimeters. Besides, the weight must be under 60 kilograms.

Luggage restriction, resource: Matcha

Using the JR Pass to Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto

When using the Shinkansen, the basic fare and the express surcharge for Hikari and Kodama trains are covered by the JR Pass, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing additional tickets beforehand or feel overwhelmed with calculating surcharge fares.

However, if you're traveling with oversized luggage, you must reserve specific seats. The only items that don’t require a reservation are musical instruments, sports and leisure equipment, and baby strollers. Note that reserved seats require a ¥ 2,290 additional charge. Passengers who travel with oversized baggage without a prior reservation will incur a baggage fee of ¥1,000 (including tax), so make sure to take note of these tips so you don’t have to pay extra!

Always check the particular conditions and requirements when planning your trip.

How to Reserve A Seat with Your JR Pass

Booking a reserved seat from Tokyo to Kyoto guarantees a comfortable spot on the train, especially during peak travel times when trains can be crowded. You can store oversized luggage/suitcases larger than 160cm and special items such as baby strollers at the back of your reserved seat.

According to JR Central, the seats that include an oversized baggage area are the 5 seats at the back row of Standard Cars (From A to E) or the 4 seats at the back row (From A to D) of the Green Cars. As you may notice, the seats are limited so make sure you make your reservations early.

There are two ways of reserving a seat with your JR Pass:

Reserving A Ticket Using the Ticket Machines Located at JR Stations

1. Select “Japan Rail Pass” on the screen
2. Make sure to press the “Select the train to use now” option
3. Scan the QR code on your JR Pass at the ticket machine reader (or enter the reservation number printed on the PASS) and input your passport number.
4. Select “Tokyo” as your departure station and “Kyoto” as your arrival station.
5. Select the travel section, date, and time, then choose the train and facilities.
6. Review the details, and if everything is accurate, proceed to issue the ticket.

LuggAgent: Your Best Travel Partner

Because of the luggage restriction, it is inconvenient for long-term travelers who have many pieces of baggage to take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto. Especially for family travelers, who might need to bring a baby car or more belongings on the way, which makes moving around harder.

LuggAggent has developed a service to make travel easier from Tokyo to Kyoto for these kinds of tourists. We provide the luggage delivery service from Tokyo to Kyoto and vice versa. Travelers can drop off their pieces of luggage at hotels in Tokyo to our drivers and go directly to take the Shinkansen without any burden. Moreover, it helps people to save more time. People who use LuggAgent’s delivery service might also be able to go to another tourist spot or shop before boarding. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Travelers do not have to think about how to transfer with heavy luggage. All they need to do is to reserve online at least one day before the travel date. And we will take good care of the luggage transfer schedule and make sure all the luggages would arrive before 9 pm on the same day.

Reserving a Ticket at The Midori-no-madoguchi" (Ticket Office)

Ticketing office, source: JRail Pass

Another way to obtain your reserved seat ticket is by presenting your JR Pass at any Travel Service Center, "Midori-no-madoguchi" (ticket office) at a JR station, or the sales office of a JR-affiliated travel agency. The ticket offices usually operate from 4:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (Japan local time), however, actual hours may vary by location.

If you bought the JR Pass through the official website, you can also reserve a seat right away in the same platform. You just need to remember to collect your reserved seat ticket at the reserved seat ticket machine or at the "Midori-no-madoguchi" (ticket office) found at JR stations.

Traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen offers a seamless blend of speed, convenience, and comfort. Whether you opt for the Nozomi, Hikari, or Kodama trains, each provides a unique travel experience catering to different needs. By understanding the train options, luggage restrictions, and the benefits of the JR Pass, you can ensure a hassle-free journey. Additionally, services like LuggAgent make it even easier for travelers with heavy luggage to enjoy their trip without the burden of carrying bags. With these tips and insights, you are well-prepared to embark on an unforgettable adventure from Tokyo to the historic and culturally rich city of Kyoto!