Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen (2026): Price, Time and How to Book
Going from Tokyo to Kyoto? Take the Nozomi. It takes about 2 hours 10 minutes and a reserved seat costs ¥14,170. Book it on JR Central's own site (smartEX) and it's ¥200 cheaper in the regular season.
Reserved seats go on sale one month before at 10:00 Japan time. A JR Pass does not pay off for this trip alone. We checked the fares and rules on JR's official pages on 6 November 2026.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We give JR's own prices so you can compare.
Nozomi, Hikari or Kodama: which train should I take?
All three run on the same line from Tokyo Station and Shinagawa. The difference is how often they stop.
Nozomi
About 2h10. Non-reserved seats in cars 1–2 only.
Hikari
About 25 minutes slower. Covered by the JR Pass with no extra ticket. Non-reserved seats in cars 1–5.
Kodama
Stops at every station, so it takes much longer than the Nozomi. Non-reserved seats in cars 1–6 and 13–16 (subject to change).
How far in advance should I book?
Reserved seats go on sale at 10:00 Japan time, one month before the travel date. You can also buy a non-reserved ticket and sit in a non-reserved car, except on peak days when the Nozomi is all reserved.
Book on the first day for New Year (late December to early January), Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid-August). During the major peak periods, all seats on the Nozomi are reserved. Busy seasons explained →
How do I book Tokyo to Kyoto online?
JR Central's smartEX covers this line. It has an English site, you can book from inside or outside Japan, and a reserved Nozomi seat is ¥200 cheaper than at the station in the regular season. Full booking guide →
- Create a free smartEX account. You need an email address and a credit card.
- Search Tokyo → Kyoto. Pick the date, the time and your train.
- Choose your seat. Choose seat E if you want Mt Fuji. Book an oversized-baggage seat if your suitcase is over 160 cm in total.
- Pay and pick how to board. Link an IC card (Suica, ICOCA) and tap through the gate, or use the QR ticket.You need mobile data to show a QR ticket at the gate.Japan eSIM on Klook ↗
JR Central's smartEX service page: bookings open at 5:30 one year before travel, the train and seat are confirmed one month before, and a refund before departure costs ¥320.
JR Central's English guide: the Nozomi reaches Kyoto in about 130 minutes, and Mt Fuji is on the seat E side.
JR Central's fare release of October 2026: Tokyo–Kyoto Nozomi fees rise by ¥700 for tickets bought from 1 July 2027.
Which side is Mt Fuji on?
On the way to Kyoto, Mt Fuji is on the right: seat E in Ordinary cars, seat D in the Green Car. On the way back to Tokyo, take seat A. You need a clear day.
Is the JR Pass worth it for Tokyo to Kyoto?
Not for this trip alone. A 7-day pass is ¥50,000 on the official site (¥53,000 from agencies since October 2026). A Tokyo–Kyoto return is ¥28,340, and Kyoto–Osaka by JR adds only ¥580.
smartEX, Klook or the station: where to buy?
smartEX (JR Central)
¥13,970 in the regular season. English site, free changes before departure (as many times as you like).
Klook
Klook sets its own price, so compare it with smartEX's ¥13,970 before you buy.
Affiliate linkStation machine or counter
¥14,170 for a reserved seat. Buy it from a ticket machine or at the ticket office before you go through the gate.
What if…?
…I miss my train?
With a regular ticket you can ride a later train the same day in a non-reserved car. On peak days when the Nozomi is all reserved, you may have to stand on the deck. smartEX Hayatoku discount tickets are only valid on the train you booked.
…I have a big suitcase?
Bags of 161–250 cm (length + width + height) need an oversized-baggage seat, booked in advance at no extra charge. Without one you pay ¥1,000 on board. Over 250 cm is not allowed. Luggage rules →
…the train I want is full?
Try another departure time or a Hikari, or ride in a non-reserved car (except on peak days when the Nozomi is all reserved).
Arriving in Kyoto: what to book next
Bus and subway pass
One ticket for a day of Kyoto city buses and the subway.
Still deciding how to get around?
Going on to Osaka? From Kyoto you can take the Shinkansen one stop to Shin-Osaka, or the JR Special Rapid to Osaka for ¥580. Booking a different route? The steps are the same on every Tokaido Shinkansen trip.
The Klook link is an affiliate link. smartEX is ¥13,970 in the regular season, ¥200 less than a station ticket.