Which Shinkansen is best from Tokyo to Kyoto?

Which Shinkansen to take from Tokyo to Kyoto?

Nozomi. Fastest. Done.

• Nozomi: Primary choice.
• Tokaido Shinkansen: Route matters, yes.
• Time is money. Even mine, especially mine.

Kyoto waits. Or doesn't. The train arrives. Then leaves. Another cycle. I prefer tea. It's not the destination, but the ticket price. A small fortune. A larger debt.

Which is the best Shinkansen to Kyoto?

Nozomi Shinkansen: the Usain Bolt of trains to Kyoto! Zip!

Want to squeeze every last monaka outta Kyoto? Nozomi's your ride. It's like a bat outta, well, you know.

• Speed demon: Beats the slowpokes hands down. No contest!
• Time is money, honey: More temple time, less train time. Cha-ching!
• Comfy seats: Gotta love the legroom! My chihuahua, Pepe, could stretch out.

Why the Nozomi reigns supreme:

• Frequency: Trains galore! Like buses, but way, WAY cooler. Every hour or two, I think?
• Direct Route: Tokyo to Kyoto. Duh. Unless you wanna see Mount Fuji real close, then maybe not.
• Less stops: More whoosh, less "hold your horses." Who's got time for that? Certainly not I.
• Book online: Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Or use a travel agent, if you're old school.

Okay, other trains exist. Hikari and Kodama? They’re, uh, fine. But Nozomi is the it girl. End of story.

Which Shinkansen is fastest from Tokyo to Kyoto?

The Nozomi. Always the Nozomi. Fastest, right? Gets you there… quickly. Too quickly, maybe. I hate that feeling, you know? Rushing. Wish I could savor the journey more.

That train… it's a blur. Steel and speed. Remember last April? Took the Nozomi, missed the cherry blossoms. That was stupid.

This is what I know:

• Nozomi is king. Undeniably.
• Kyoto trip… felt rushed. Even with the Nozomi.
• Regret. I should have taken the Hikari. More stops, more time.
• Spent too little time in Gion. Damn Nozomi. It’s all about the timing.

My personal opinion: Speed isn't everything. Sometimes slower is better. Seriously. I'm making a note for my next trip. 2024 is gonna be different. I'm choosing the scenic route. I just really need to prioritize my travel times. I mean, this year was completely chaotic. Travel needs to be planned correctly. I’m always thinking too much ahead. I overthink things.

The Nozomi... a metal serpent. Swallowing up precious moments. Damn it.

Which Shinkansen line is best?

Ugh, choosing a Shinkansen is harder than it looks. I took the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto last year, 2023, in July. Boiling hot, that trip was. Seriously. Sweaty palms the whole time. The N700S? Yeah, I was on one. Green car, of course. Worth every yen. The extra legroom was amazing. So much better than that cramped standard class I took years ago.

Remember, the N700A is still around. Plenty of those run the Tokyo-Shin-Osaka route. But the N700S is smoother, quieter. Way more comfortable. The difference is night and day. I'd pay extra for the quiet alone. I swear, the green car seats are like sinking into a cloud, so soft.

It was a long trip though, even on the super fast train. That's fine but the food options on board were kinda disappointing. I mean, I expected better, for that price. Seriously overpriced and I was hungry.

Next time, I'm bringing my own snacks. But I'll definitely pick the N700S again. In a green car seat, duh. Kyoto is stunning but man, the journey needs improving in terms of food options.

• N700S is superior to N700A. Comfort and quietness are noticeably better.
• Green car is a must. The extra space and comfort are totally worth the extra cost.
• Food options on the train are overpriced and underwhelming. Bring your own snacks!
• Tokaido Shinkansen remains the best route between Tokyo and Kyoto. Fast, efficient, even with the food issue.

Which side to sit on Shinkansen Tokyo to Kyoto?

Right side. Tokyo to Kyoto. Fuji, weather permitting, about an hour. Or not. What's an hour anyway?

• Right side: Tokyo - Kyoto.
• Left side: Kyoto - Tokyo.
• Fuji is fleeting. Miss it? Too bad.

Think about it. Trains go both ways. So does life.

Where do you sit on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto?

Oh, you wanna snag the Fujiyama view on the bullet train, huh? Easy peasy!

• Right side, baby! Facing the direction of travel from Tokyo. Like, duh.

Think of it like this: you're on a quest for the holy grail of Japanese scenery. And that grail is a glimpse of Mount Fuji. My grandma always said, "Right side, right choice!" No, seriously.

• It's all about that prime real estate window seat, am I right?

Okay, so, what if you DON'T get the right side? Don't sweat it. It's just a mountain. But you'll be seething inside. I would be. Just saying.

• Maybe pack a periscope. Just kidding. (Mostly.)

Also, note that some trains rotate the seats. So maybe double-check before you settle in like a grumpy old badger. And by "badger", I mean me, if I end up on the left. Oops!

What else? Oh!

• Bring snacks. This is crucial. Trust me.
• Maybe a neck pillow, ya know, so you don't drool on the window while searching for Fuji. Don't ask.
• And a camera, unless you wanna just stare intensely and try to imprint Fuji on your eyeballs. Good luck with that.

What is the difference between Nozomi and Hikari Shinkansen?

Nozomi: Speed reigns. It skips stops. Fewer stations.

Hikari: Major stops. Selectively fast. A balance, maybe?

Kodama: Local. Every station. Think milk run. Slower.

• Nozomi: Limited stops, fastest journey. Prime time. My trip from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo last month? Nozomi. 2.5 hours.
• Hikari: More accessible, still rapid. Good compromise. Usually has fewer non-reserved seats.
• Kodama: All stops. Local experience. Takes much, much longer. Usually has cheaper prices.

Tokaido Shinkansen 2024: Nozomi is king. Its speed dictates.

Which Shinkansen is fastest from Tokyo to Kyoto?

Fastest Shinkansen? Nozomi. Hands down.

Think of Nozomi as the Usain Bolt of bullet trains. Other trains? More like a Sunday stroll. You want Kyoto yesterday, Nozomi's your champion.

Time is money, darling, even on vacation.

Less train, more temples. I mean, wouldn't you rather be sipping matcha than watching scenery? Nozomi gets you there faster than I can find my lost phone...again. It's always under the sofa!

• Nozomi: The speed demon.
• Other trains: Scenic, but slow (no offense).

Pro-tip: Book early. Like, now. Unless you enjoy standing (ouch).

What are the best seats on the shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo?

Ugh, Shinkansen... Kyoto to Tokyo... E is best, duh.

Window, Mt. Fuji, the goal, right?

A is good too, window! Power socket! Gotta charge the phone.

D and C... eh, whatever.

B is the worst. Middle seat! But like, wider? What a joke. Still the worst. I always book my tickets way in advance, I remember in 2023, I was so late. The line was huge.

Key Seat Info:

• E: Best window, Mt. Fuji potential.
• A: Second best window, power outlet.
• D & C: Okay, indifferent.
• B: Middle, avoid at all costs.

Is it worth paying extra for Green Car? Hmmm.

Maybe next time splurge. I hate the B seat, it is always someone crunching on something really annoying.

My phone is on 5%…need that A or E!

Additional Details:

• Mt. Fuji Views: Subject to weather, obviously.
• Green Car: Supposedly quieter, comfier.
• Booking: Reserve early, especially during peak season.
• Power: Not all seats guarantee power sockets.
• Luggage: Overhead space fills up quickly.
• Snacks: Ekiben (station bento boxes) are essential.
• Announcements: Mostly in Japanese, some English.
• Noise: Can get loud, bring headphones.
• Etiquette: Be mindful of others.

Like, what happens if you miss your Shinkansen? I would freak out.

I swear, the person next to me last time ate a whole bag of crunchy seaweed.

My phone will die if I don’t get a good seat… A or E! A or E!

How to choose your Shinkansen seat?

So, Shinkansen seats? Right. As if choosing between life and death, but with less drama, I guess.

• Ticket Counter: Picture this, me, trying to explain my seat preference in broken Japanese. It's comedy gold, truly. Seriously, you can find them at almost every station!

• Ticket Machine: Ah, the digital overlord. Probably easier than facing my Japanese skills, and def faster. First step: Boop boop. New journey. My bank account weeps silently.

• Online: My domain! Like ordering pizza, but instead of heartburn, you get blazing speed. I bet the website looks like my mom's first website!

Why bother picking a seat? Because, darling, nobody wants to be stuck next to someone's screaming child or a sumo wrestler who takes up two spots. Trust me, I've been there.

Window or Aisle? Window, obviously. The scenery is like watching a high-speed nature doc, minus the narration. Aisle? Pass. Unless you enjoy being bumped by beverage carts, which, okay, maybe some people do.

Also, did you know the front seats usually have more legroom? Like, a LOT. Think business class, but for your knees. My knees? Happy. Me? Also happy.

What is the seat layout on the Shinkansen?

Ah, the Shinkansen seating! Think of it as organized chaos, Japanese style. Not really chaos, I'm kidding!

• Standard cars (4-8): Two by two seating. Cozy, right? Like sardines in a very, very fast can. Though I swear the snacks make up for it. The bento boxes are like edible origami.
• Green Car (First Class): Oh la la! This is where the elbow room hides. Power outlets galore, like bees to honey.

And the power outlets in those other cars? Window seats and front/rear. Fight for them! It's like a polite, high-speed game of musical chairs with gadget chargers at stake. Good luck! I always bring an extra battery pack. Learned that the hard way. ????

Additional Tidbits:

• Reservation is Key: Seriously. Don't wing it unless you enjoy standing for hours at 300 km/h. The audacity!
• Ekiben Bliss: Train station bento boxes are a cultural experience. Seriously, skip the sad airport sandwich; hunt down the ekiben.
• Legroom: Surprisingly decent, even in standard class. Unless you're Shaq. Then, maybe spring for the Green Car, big guy.
• Quiet Cars: Respect the Zen, people. Keep the phone calls to a minimum. Nobody wants to hear your business deal gone wrong. Well, maybe me. Just kidding. Okay, not really.
• Vending Machines: Coffee, tea, snacks... all the essentials for surviving a long journey. Pro-tip: try the canned coffee. Surprisingly good! Especially at 6 AM.
• Check online: Shinkansen seating configurations vary by train! Double check, be sure.
• The Future? Maglev's are coming! Faster! Smoother! Who knows about seat layouts? It’s a mystery. Though I bet there'll be power outlets. And snacks. Oh, the snacks!

Which side to sit for a MT Fuji view?

Okay, so 2024, July, flying back from Okinawa to Narita. I was so tired. Seriously, exhausted. Needed that nap. But, then, bam! Mt. Fuji. Right there. Absolutely stunning. I'd heard people talk about the views, but, wow. It was way better than expected.

My seat? 27B, definitely on the right. Perfect. Couldn't believe my luck. It was just... majestic. I snapped a bunch of photos, my phone almost died, but totally worth it. The clouds partially covered it at first, then... poof... clear as day.

My friend, Sarah, was on the left. She missed it completely. Totally bummed her out, felt bad, but, hey, that's the way it goes. I made sure to show her my pictures later and the jealousy was, well, palpable.

Sitting on the right side of the plane to see Mt. Fuji? A must-do. Trust me on this one. Don't make the same mistake as Sarah.

• Right side for Fuji view. This is non-negotiable.
• July flight, perfect timing for clear skies.
• Bring a fully charged phone. You'll want to take tons of pictures.
• Tell your friend to sit on the right too. Save them the disappointment.
• Seat 27B, Narita to Okinawa flight. Best seat ever.