Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo

The Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen is a bullet train network that extends from Fukuoka on Kyushu Island in southern Japan to Tokyo in the eastern part of Honshu Island.

A Nozomi service on the Sanyo Shinkansen line waits to depart at Hakata Station

The railway is actually made up of two connected bullet train lines: the Sanyo Shinkansen, which links Hakata Station in Fukuoka with Shin-Osaka Station, and the Tokaido Shinkansen, which connects Shin-Osaka with Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo. The fastest direct Nozomi services can travel all the way from Hakata to Tokyo in under five hours, while other trains take longer depending on service type and stops.

Shinkansen high-speed train network in Japan map

Having carried billions of passengers since they were opened between 1964 and 1975, the Tokaido and Sanyo bullet train lines are some of the busiest high-speed rail lines in the world. JR Central cites 383 daily trains and an average delay of 1.4 minutes for the Tokaido Shinkansen in 2024, and the bullet trains have contributed significantly to the economic development of modern Japan.

Interior view of a regular carriage on the Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train

The bullet trains on these lines are divided into three main classes of service: Nozomi, the fastest service, making the fewest stops; Hikari, which stops at more stations than Nozomi services; and Kodama trains, which stop at every station. In addition to these, Mizuho and Sakura services run between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chuo, with Mizuho trains making fewer stops than Sakura services.

The base national Japan Rail Pass can be used on Hikari, Kodama and Sakura services, but not on Nozomi or Mizuho services unless pass holders buy the separate Nozomi Mizuho ticket before boarding. Nozomi trains can also be all-reserved during specified peak travel periods, so check the seating rules when booking.

Nozomi Shinkansen services link Hakata and Tokyo in under five hours on the fastest direct trains

Key Destinations from Hakata Station

Hiroshima

Hiroshima bears an important legacy as the world’s first city to suffer atomic bombing. Its A-bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a haunting testimony to the horrors of war and efforts toward nuclear disarmament. But this bustling city of 1.2 million people is also a foodie paradise, with okonomiyaki savory pancakes not to be missed, and a gateway to the beautiful island of Miyajima, famed for its Itsukushima Shinto shrine, which seems to float on the waters of the Inland Sea. Other attractions include the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Shukkei-en garden and Hiroshima Castle.

Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station)

Osaka is a freewheeling, fun-loving metropolis at the heart of an urban area that’s home to 19 million people.

Dotonbori district in Osaka

Some of the highlights here include the riot of neon signs in the Dotonbori district, shopping in Shinsaibashi, checking out the marine life in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, and visiting Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan. Osaka’s proximity to the historical and cultural attractions of Kyoto also makes the two cities easy to combine. From Shin-Osaka, Kyoto is about 28 minutes away on the JR Tokaido Main Line or about 12 minutes by Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train.

Kyoto

Kyoto is regarded as the traditional, cultural heart of Japan because it was the capital for more than 1,000 years. With a population of nearly 1.5 million, it’s a modern metropolis but still has a wealth of traditional architecture such as Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto

Highlights include Kiyomizu-dera temple, Kinkaku-ji temple, Ryoan-ji temple rock garden and Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine. The Gion district is also one of Kyoto’s best-known historic areas, especially for visitors interested in traditional teahouse culture.

Nagoya

Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and one of Japan’s largest cities, with the greater Nagoya area home to around 9 to 10 million people. Although it’s the center of Japan’s industrial and manufacturing heartland, Nagoya also has some worthy sights for travelers. The arcade by Osu Kannon temple is packed with small shops selling Japanese handicrafts and local specialties. The Tokugawa Art Museum features exhibits related to the shogunal rulers of Japan’s samurai era. The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, meanwhile, shows off the innovations of local powerhouse Toyota Motor.

Tokyo

Japan’s capital, for centuries the seat of the shogun, lies at the center of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world and offers a dynamic blend of traditional culture and contemporary innovation. The Imperial Palace, home of the Japanese emperor and his family, stands across from Tokyo Station and is home to one of the most popular Japanese gardens in the country, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. The Tokyo Station Hotel, designed with classic European decor, high-vaulted ceilings and expansive windows, is located in the iconic Tokyo Station Building.

Iconic Tokyo Station building in the capital’s Marunouchi district

Aside from other sights such as Tokyo Skytree, Roppongi Hills, Tsukiji Outer Market and Toyosu Market, Tokyo is best experienced through its neighborhoods: Asakusa, Ginza, Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku to name a few. Tokyo’s innumerable excellent dining options, pop culture products and blend of East and West continue to make it one of the most popular cities for international tourism in Japan.

Fares and journey times vary by train, seat type, season, reservation method, peak all-reserved periods and timetable revision. Check the current timetable and fare before traveling.

Article by Tim Hornyak. All rights reserved. Last updated 23-Jul-2026.