The Kodama Shinkansen is one of the three main services on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines, Japan’s iconic high-speed railway connecting Tokyo and Osaka and Fukuoka.
Unlike the faster Nozomi and Hikari, which skip many stations, Kodama (meaning ‘echo’) stops at every station along its route. This makes it ideal for travelers aiming to visit smaller cities, enjoy scenic rides, or access destinations off the main tourist trail.
Kodama trains are fully covered by JR Pass, making them especially attractive for travelers exploring Japan on a budget or taking a more leisurely journey.
In the sections below, you’ll find a full breakdown of the Kodama Shinkansen, including route and stops, departure times, ticketing options, and seating choices.
Kodama Shinkansen route and stops
Kodama primarily operates along the Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo to Shin-Osaka) and some services extend into the Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to Hakata). The train stops at every station on the line, providing access to cities that other Shinkansen skip.
Here’s a complete list of each stop and the connections at each of them:
Stop
Major connections
Tokyo
JR Yamanote Line, Narita Express, Tokyo Metro
Shinagawa
Keikyu Line (Haneda Airport access), JR Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line
Shin-Yokohama
Yokohama Line, Sotetsu Line
Odawara
Hakone Tozan Railway, Odakyu Line (Hakone access)
Atami
Ito Line, JR Tokaido Line (Izu Peninsula access)
Mishima
Izu-Hakone Railway, buses to Mt. Fuji
Shin-Fuji
Shuttle buses to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station
Shizuoka
Local JR Tokaido Line, Sumpu Castle and tea fields
Kakegawa
Tenryu Hamanako Line
Hamamatsu
Local JR Tokaido Line, music instrument museums
Toyohashi
Meitetsu Line to Nagoya, Atsumi Line
Mikawa-Anjo
Local JR Lines
Nagoya
Meitetsu & Kintetsu Lines, Chubu Airport (via Meitetsu)
Gifu-Hashima
Local trains to Gifu and Ogaki
Maibara
JR Hokuriku Line to Kanazawa, Biwako access
Kyoto
JR Lines, subway, Kintetsu Line to Nara
Shin-Osaka
Osaka Metro, local trains to Umeda, Tennoji
Note: Some Kodama trains extend beyond Shin-Osaka toward Okayama or Hiroshima, but most terminate in Shin-Osaka.
You then have the option to switch trains to the Sanyo Shinkansen towards Hakata:
Stop
Major connections
Shin-Osaka
JR Kyoto Line, JR Kobe Line, Osaka Metro Midosuji Line
Shin-Kobe
Kobe subway Seishin-Yamate Line
Nishi-Akashi
JR Kobe Line (local/regional trains to Osaka, Himeji)
Himeji
JR Kobe Line, Bantan Line, Kishin Line
Aioi
JR Sanyo Main Line, Ako Line
Okayama
JR Sanyo Main Line, Uno Line, Tsuyama Line, Hakubi Line
Shin-Kurashiki
JR Sanyo Main Line
Fukuyama
JR Fukuen Line, Sanyo Main Line
Shin-Onomichi
JR Sanyo Main Line (nearby)
Mihara
JR Kure Line, Sanyo Main Line
Higashi-Hiroshima
Sanyo Shinkansen only
Hiroshima
JR Sanyo Main Line, Kure Line, Geibi Line
Shin-Iwakuni
JR Gantoku Line
Tokuyama
JR Sanyo Main Line, Gantoku Line
Shin-Yamaguchi
JR Sanin Main Line, Yamaguchi Line, Ube Line
Shin-Shimonoseki
JR Sanyo Main Line
Asa
JR Mine Line
Kokura
JR Kagoshima Main Line, Nippo Main Line, Hitahikosan Line, monorail
Hakata (Fukuoka)
JR Kagoshima Main Line, Fukuhoku Yutaka Line, Subway Airport Line
Kodama Shinkansen timetable
Kodama runs frequently throughout the day, roughly every 30–60 minutes.
Below are sample first and last departure times from both Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
Timings can vary slightly depending on the train schedule and season, so always confirm on the JR timetable.
Tokyo to Shin-Osaka
Station
First departure
Last departure
Tokyo
06:00
21:30
Shinagawa
06:06
21:36
Shin-Yokohama
06:18
21:48
Odawara
06:40
22:08
Atami
06:47
22:15
Mishima
06:54
22:22
Shin-Fuji
07:00
22:29
Shizuoka
07:09
22:37
Kakegawa
07:22
22:49
Hamamatsu
07:34
23:00
Toyohashi
07:47
23:13
Mikawa-Anjo
08:00
23:25
Nagoya
08:10
23:35
Gifu-Hashima
08:20
23:45
Maibara
08:34
00:00
Kyoto
08:55
00:15
Shin-Osaka
09:10
00:30
Shin-Osaka to Tokyo
Station
First Departure
Last Departure
Shin-Osaka
06:00
21:30
Kyoto
06:14
21:44
Maibara
06:36
22:06
Gifu-Hashima
06:50
22:20
Nagoya
07:00
22:30
Mikawa-Anjo
07:10
22:40
Toyohashi
07:22
22:52
Hamamatsu
07:35
23:05
Kakegawa
07:46
23:16
Shizuoka
07:59
23:29
Shin-Fuji
08:07
23:37
Mishima
08:13
23:43
Atami
08:20
23:50
Odawara
08:27
23:57
Shin-Yokohama
08:48
00:15
Shinagawa
08:59
00:27
Tokyo
09:05
00:35
Tokyo to Hakata
Station
First departure
Last departure
Shin-Osaka
07:00
19:00
Himeji
07:15
19:15
Okayama
07:35
19:35
Hiroshima
07:55
19:55
Shin-Yamaguchi
08:10
20:10
Shin-Shimonoseki
08:20
20:20
Kokura
08:35
20:35
Hakata
08:50
—
Note: These times are approximate and based on typical 2025 Kodama schedules. Variations may occur.
Tickets and passes for the Kodama Shinkansen
You can purchase regular one-way or return tickets for Kodama at:
JR station ticket counters (Midori no Madoguchi)
Automatic machines
Online (JR Central, JR East, JR West sites)
JR Pass coverage: Kodama is fully included in all JR Passes.
Unlimited train travel in Japan
Unlimited access to transportation across Japan for 7, 14, or 21 days on:
All Shinkansen trains
Rapid and Local JR trains
JR bus and ferry services
Airport Transfers
A single ticket, huge savings.
Buy your JR Pass
Unlike Nozomi, which is excluded from national JR Passes, Kodama is an ideal slower alternative for JR pass holders.
Kodama Shinkansen seat reservation
Kodama offers both:
Non-reserved seating: Available in designated cars (usually 1–3)
Reserved seating: Bookable at no extra cost with a JR Pass
Although the train is usually less crowded, we recommend booking seats during:
Reservations can be made at any station, through ticket machines, or online if you have a JR Pass exchange order number.
Green car: first class on the Kodama Shinkansen
For a more luxurious ride, Kodama includes Green Cars. These premium-class cars offer:
Wider, 2×2 seating
Extra legroom
Quieter cabins
Power outlets
Window alignment and extra luggage space
You’ll need to pay an upgrade fee unless you hold a Green JR Pass, which grants unlimited access to Green Cars.
Travel Japan in first class comfort
The JR Green Pass allows you to travel in first class comfort with spacious seating on all Shinkansen bullet trains and certain fast lines.
Buy your JR Green Pass
It’s a great choice for long rides (Tokyo to Shin-Osaka), business travelers, and families needing quiet time or space.
