Ticket - Train - Matsumoto - Shinjuku

The most efficient way to travel from Shin-Osaka to Shinagawa is by taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) on the Tokaido Shinkansen line. Several types of trains are available:
Nozomi: The fastest and most frequent service, directly connecting the two stations with few stops. This service is generally not covered by the standard Japan Rail Pass, requiring an additional surcharge.
Hikari: A slightly slower service than the Nozomi, with a few extra stops, but it is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
KodamThe slowest service, stopping at all stations. It is also covered by the Japan Rail Pass, but the journey time is significantly longer.
We recommend checking schedules and reserving your seats in advance, especially during peak periods. For oversized luggage (over 160 cm in total dimensions), a prior reservation for a dedicated space is required on some Shinkansen trains. Travelers without a reservation may be subject to additional fees.

The cost of a Shinkansen ticket between Shin-Osaka and Shinagawa varies depending on the type of train and seat class.
For a one-way Nozomi journey, the price is approximately 14,000 to 15,000 yen for a reserved seat in standard class.
A non-reserved seat on a Nozomi, Hikari, or Kodama is slightly cheaper, around 13,000 to 14,000 yen.
Green Car (first class) tickets are more expensive, costing approximately 19,000 to 20,000 yen.
If you are using a Japan Rail Pass, Hikari or Kodama journeys are included. To take a Nozomi, a surcharge is required, which is calculated based on the distance traveled.

The Shinkansen journey duration between Shin-Osaka and Shinagawa depends on the chosen service:
Nozomi: The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Hikari: The journey generally takes about 3 hours.
KodamThis service makes more stops, and the journey can take about 4 hours.
Shinkansen trains are renowned for their punctuality.

The choice between Shinagawa and Tokyo depends on your final destination and your transfer preferences.
Shinagawa Station is an important hub, often less crowded than Tokyo Station. It offers excellent connections to JR lines (Yamanote Line, Yokosuka Line for Narita Airport), Keikyu lines for Haneda Airport, and other local lines. For travelers heading to the south or west of Tokyo, or to Haneda, Shinagawa can be a more convenient and less stressful arrival point for connections.
Tokyo Station is Japan's main railway terminal, offering the largest number of connections, including other Shinkansen lines (Tohoku, Hokuriku, Joetsu), Narita Airport (Narita Express), and a vast network of JR and subway lines. However, due to its size and high traffic, transfers there can be more complex and time-consuming.
We advise you to evaluate your precise arrival point in Tokyo. If your accommodation or next step is closer to Shinagawa or requires easy access to Haneda, Shinagawa is often the more judicious choice.