Shinkansen (新幹線) = “new main line” — a high-speed rail network covering Japan’s 4 main islands. Tokyo to Osaka 2h30, Tokyo to Hakodate 4h.
1) **Tokaido** (Tokyo↔Osaka): busiest, with Nozomi/Hikari/Kodama. 2) **Sanyo** (Osaka↔Hakata): continuation of the Tokaido line, serving Hiroshima/Fukuoka. 3) **Tohoku** (Tokyo↔Shin-Aomori): Hayabusa at 320 km/h. 4) **Hokkaido** (Shin-Aomori↔Shin-Hakodate): underwater tunnel. 5) **Joetsu** (Tokyo↔Niigata). 6) **Hokuriku** (Tokyo↔Kanazawa↔Tsuruga). 7) **Kyushu** (Hakata↔Kagoshima).
On the Tokaido line: **Nozomi** (fastest, stops at 6 stations, 2h30 Tokyo-Osaka) — NOT covered by the JR Pass. **Hikari** (stops at 8-10 stations, 3h) — covered by the JR Pass. **Kodama** (stops at every station, 4h) — covered by the JR Pass. On the Tohoku line: **Hayabusa** = fastest (reservations required, JR Pass with a surcharge). **Yamabiko/Komachi** = medium-speed. **Nasuno** = local.
**Unreserved** (自由席, jiyū-seki): cars 1-3, no seat reservation, queue in advance — cheapest. **Reserved** (指定席, shitei-seki): a specific seat is reserved, +¥320-730 depending on the route. **Green car** (グリーン, first class): wider seats, ~30% surcharge. **Gran Class**: Hayabusa only — leather seats, meals, 2-1 layout, double the price of Reserved.
1) The **Midori-no-madoguchi** counter at major JR stations: pay by cash or card and receive a paper ticket. 2) The **SmartEX** app (Tokaido/Sanyo): book 1 month in advance, pay with an international card, and collect your ticket from the machine. 3) The **JR East app** or **JR West online**: similar options for other routes. Make reservations 1-2 months in advance for peak seasons (sakura, Golden Week, Obon).
