If you're going from Tokyo to Nagoya, the Shinkansen "Nozomi" is the fastest and easiest. It takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes to arrive, with trains running every 5 to 10 minutes. You can go directly to Nagoya Station without any transfers.
Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes (Nozomi)
Fare: 11,100 yen (Nozomi reserved seat)
Suica / PASMO: Cannot be used alone (can be used if registered with Smart EX)
Japan Rail Pass: Only valid for "Hikari" and "Kodama" (additional fee required for "Nozomi")
Three Steps to Get to Nagoya:
Reserve a seat on the "Nozomi" via Smart EX (English support available, can be reserved from abroad)
Go to the "Tokaido Shinkansen" ticket gate with the blue logo at Tokyo Station (Tracks 14-19)
Arrive at Nagoya Station in approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes
Take the "Tokaido Shinkansen" to Nagoya
There are two types of Shinkansen at Tokyo Station. Please be careful as getting it wrong can lead you in completely the opposite direction.
Line | Logo Color | Destination | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
Tokaido Shinkansen | Blue | To Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka (West) | Tracks 14-19 |
Tohoku / Hokuriku Shinkansen | Green | To Sendai, Kanazawa (North) | Tracks 20-23 |
If you're going to Nagoya, take the Tokaido Shinkansen with the "blue logo". Follow the signs for "Tokaido Shinkansen."
Differences Between Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama
There are three types of trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen. If you're going to Nagoya, the "Nozomi" is the fastest.
Nozomi: Fastest. Approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. Up to 10 trains per hour
Hikari: Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. Can be used with JR Pass
Kodama: Local train. Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. Can be used with JR Pass
Detailed differences between train types are explained in this article.
Fare and Travel Time
The Shinkansen fare between Tokyo and Nagoya is as follows (as of January 2026). During peak seasons (Golden Week, Obon, New Year holidays, etc.), there is a fluctuation of +200 to 400 yen, while during off-peak seasons, it decreases by 200 yen.
Train | Seat Type | Fare | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Nozomi | Reserved Seat | 11,300 yen | Approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes |
Hikari / Kodama | Reserved Seat | 11,090 yen | 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 40 minutes |
All Trains | Unreserved Seat | 10,560 yen | — |
How to Reserve Tickets
We recommend Smart EX (Smart EX) for foreign travelers.
Reserve with Smart EX (Recommended)
Smart EX is the official online reservation service of JR Tokai. It is fully supported in English and allows you to reserve and pay before arriving in Japan.
Official Site: smart-ex.jp/en/
Supported Languages: Japanese, English
Annual Fee: Free
Credit Cards: VISA, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club
How to Use: Register an account → Select a train and reserve → On the day, scan the QR code at the ticket machine at the station to receive your ticket (ticketless travel is also possible if you register Suica)
Purchase at the Station Counter or Ticket Machine
You can also purchase tickets at the station on the day without prior reservation. For detailed purchasing methods, please refer to this article.
Using the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)
If you have a JR Pass, you can ride the Shinkansen, but an additional fee is required for "Nozomi". If you want to ride without additional fees, please use "Hikari" or "Kodama."
Important Points When Boarding
Before boarding the Tokaido Shinkansen, please check the following points.
1. Large Luggage Requires Prior Reservation
If you are bringing a suitcase with a total of 160 cm or more on its three sides, you need to reserve a "seat with large luggage space". If you bring it without a reservation, a handling fee of 1,000 yen will be charged. Please select "with large luggage space" when reserving your seat on Smart EX.
*Changes after July 2025: The "large luggage corner" in the deck area will be available without reservation. However, the "seat with large luggage space" (space behind the seat) will still require prior reservation.
2. Cannot Board with Just Suica
You cannot board the Tokaido Shinkansen by just touching your Suica. There is a service called "Touch and Go! Shinkansen" for JR East's Shinkansen, but it does not apply to the Tokaido Shinkansen (JR Tokai).
If you want to travel ticketless with Suica, please register your Suica with Smart EX and make a reservation before boarding. For more details about Suica and transportation IC cards, click here.
3. Cannot Ride "Nozomi" with JR Pass
With the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), you cannot ride "Nozomi" or "Mizuho." You can ride if you purchase a separate "Nozomi / Mizuho usage ticket," but if you want to travel without additional fees, please use "Hikari."
Shinkansen Platforms at Tokyo Station
The Tokaido Shinkansen platforms at Tokyo Station are on the Yaesu side, Tracks 14-19.
Follow the "blue logo" on the guidance signs
If transferring from JR local lines or the subway, follow the signs for "Tokaido Shinkansen"
If you are underground, first go up to the first floor
Transfers at Nagoya Station
Nagoya Station is the largest terminal station in the Chubu region, serving JR, Meitetsu, Kintetsu, and the subway. Transportation IC cards like Suica can also be used on Meitetsu, Kintetsu, and the subway.
Transfer to the Subway (About 10 Minutes)
The Higashiyama Line (Yellow Line) is convenient for sightseeing in Nagoya City.
Sakae: Nagoya's busiest shopping district → About 5 minutes on the Higashiyama Line
Nagoya Castle: Get off at City Hall Station → Transfer at Sakae on the Higashiyama Line, then about 15 minutes on the Meijo Line
Transfer to Meitetsu (About 10-15 Minutes)
Meitetsu (Nagoya Railroad) is used for travel to Inuyama Castle and Chubu Centrair International Airport (Centrair). The red trains of Meitetsu are the landmark.
Meitetsu Nagoya Station is complicated! Multiple trains to different destinations depart from the same platform. Be sure to check the destination display before boarding.
Inuyama: About 25 minutes on the Meitetsu Inuyama Line
Chubu Centrair International Airport (Centrair) : About 28 minutes on the Meitetsu μ-SKY
For detailed access to Inuyama, please refer to this article.
For access from Centrair Airport to Nagoya City, click here.
