515 km Tokyo-Osaka in 2h30 on the bullet train. Full breakdown from Nozomi to Kodama, Reserved to Green Car.
Nozomi (のぞみ): 6 stops, ~2h30. Fastest, and the reserved-seat fare is slightly higher than Hikari/Kodama. Hikari (ひかり): 8-10 stops, ~2h55. JR Pass covers. Kodama (こだま): every stop, ~3h55. Slowest but cheapest via the Platt Kodama package. Check current fares in a route search — they vary by train, seat class and season.
JR Pass covers Hikari, so each Hikari leg costs nothing extra. Hikari is only 25 min slower than Nozomi. Worth it for most travelers. Nozomi only if business-critical timing.
Unreserved (cheapest, cars 1-3): first-come. Full Monday morning. Reserved (small supplement, cars 4-16): guaranteed window/aisle. Green Car (larger supplement, cars 8-10): 2+2, more legroom, quieter. Gran Class not available on Tokaido. Recommend Reserved for all but tightest budgets.
SmartEX app (English): Tokaido/Sanyo, credit card, mobile ticket. Reserves up to 1 month out. JR-West Online Reservation: for Sanyo portion. At the station: any Midori-no-madoguchi. Tourist offices at airports also handle JR Pass reservations.
Platt Kodama (JTB): a discounted Tokyo-Osaka package, but Kodama only. Must book 1+ day ahead via JTB website. Early Bird (Hikari): 30% off via SmartEX 21+ days ahead. Off-peak Saturday: no discount but less crowded Unreserved. JR Pass 7-day: only worth it if you're doing multiple long trips beyond Tokyo-Osaka.
Free WiFi (Shinkansen_Free_Wi-Fi SSID, 30-min sessions). Power outlets every seat on N700S (newest), window+aisle on older. Clean toilets every 2 cars. Vending cart with coffee/beer/snacks on Nozomi. Bento available at Tokyo/Shin-Osaka station before boarding — 20+ varieties.
