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If you’re planning to travel from Nagoya to Osaka, you may be considering the bullet train (this is called the Shinkansen in Japan).
The bullet train may not be the cheapest way to travel from Nagoya to Osaka; however, if you are in a rush or you are interested in the experience of riding a bullet train, we do highly recommend this.
We chose to use the Shinkansen bullet train to ride from Nagoya to Osaka because our boys were very interested in the bullet trains (they are 4 years old and 7 years old, so this really was a magical experience for them).
In this article, we will tell you everything that you need to know about traveling from Nagoya to Osaka by bullet train. Everything we share in this article also applies if you are traveling from Osaka to Nagoya – so if this is you keep reading 🙂
GET EQUIPPED – Find out how to travel Japan for just £50 per day (this really is possible)
LEARN MORE – Find out some Similarities and differences between Nagoya
Need a JR Pass?
If you are doing a lot of train travel in Japan, it may be better value to get hold of a JR pass. However, it is not possible purchase your JR Pass from the stations in Japan – so you need to book it online in advance. We highly recommend getting your JR Pass on KLOOK. They offer 7, 14 and 21 day Whole-Japan passes and also include a FREE Guide Book to help you make the most of your pass. They also do global delivery – so if you do need a JR pass make sure you book it on KLOOK.
Shinkansen Nagoya – Osaka – Journey in Brief
- Distance: 190 km
- Journey time: 1 hour
- Maximum speed: 230 km/h or 199 mph
- Average speed: 190 km/h
Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen
Schedule: First train between 6 am – 6:30 am, last train between 10:30 pm – 11:00 pm. The trains are very regular – every 10 minutes. With such a high regularity, it is generally not necessary to pre-book or reserve seats.
How Much Does it Cost to Take the Bullet Train from Nagoya to Osaka?
If traveling with a JR pass, this journey is included in your pass, so you don’t need to pay any extra.
Nagoya to Osaka Shinkansen train costs 6,500 – 6,800 yen (£32 – £34 or $36 – $40). The exact price depends on when you choose to travel. If you’re traveling with kids from 6 – 11 years old, tickets are half price. If you’re traveling with kids under 6, it is free (but it is not possible to reserve a seat for them unless you pay a child’s fare).
How Do You Book Your Ticket from Nagoya to Osaka?
There are several different ways to book your ticket for this journey. One option is to book your ticket online in advance using The official JR West website.
Alternatively, you can purchase your ticket from any JR station. You need to use the special Shinkansen ticket vending machines; you can purchase it when you arrive in Nagoya Central Station. You can also purchase your ticket at Central Japan Travel Center (which is situated at Chubu Airport). This is very convenient if you are flying into this airport.
The bullet train journey from Nagoya to Osaka is also covered by the JR Pass. It is important to book it before you travel (it is not possible to purchase your JR Pass from train stations in Japan). If you do need a JR Pass for your trip, we recommend that you book it on Klook. They offer a good range of full Japan passes, including 7, 14, and 21-day passes, and they also include a free guidebook with your pass so that you can make the most of your trip.
Taking the Shinkansen: Top Tips
- Arrive early and grab some food so you can enjoy a tasty bento box on the train.
- The Shinkansen line is separate from the other JR lines (you need to follow signs to the correct entrance in Nagoya station).
- Check your carriage on the ticket marker on the platform safety barrier, which shows you where to wait so you can board the train in the correct carriage (no need to shuffle up and down the length of the train).
- Don’t worry about reserving a seat. There are so many trains they do not tend to be too busy.
- Check the information carefully on the platform. The trains are so regular it could be potentially confusing, so be sure that you are boarding the correct train (there is a digital display on the side of the carriage which shows the service to make sure you get on the right train).
What Are the Facilities Like on the Shinkansen?
You’ll probably not be surprised to learn that the Shinkansen has outstanding facilities:
- Plenty of bag storage space
- State-of-the-art high-tech toilets on board
- Large comfortable reclining chairs
- Large windows so you can appreciate the speed
- Free Wi-Fi on board
Can You Take a Non-Bullet Train from Nagoya to Osaka?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Nagoya to Osaka using a non-Shinkansen (normal train). You will need to take the Kintetsu Limited Express Osaka-Namba line. The journey costs 5,000 yen (£25 or $30) and takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes.
