Best Ways to Go from Osaka to Tokyo - How to Travel Around Japan by Land & Air

Here, we'll tell you the different ways on how you can travel from Osaka to Tokyo. In these methods, you can choose which is the best one for you.

Best Ways to Go from Osaka to Tokyo - How to Travel.jpg

In order to have a smooth trip to Japan, you need to meticulously plan your trip, especially if you want to travel from Osaka to Tokyo. These two biggest cities in the said country are also the most popular tourist destination there. With having the best of the best, like shopping, entertainment, history, cafes, restaurants, and a lot more, we all want to explore both at the same time.

However, there's one problem. They are far from each other, and when we say far, we meant 397 km far. Yes, they are almost 400 km away from each other. If you think about it, it's quite impossible to explore both in one go especially if you have limited time, BUT with Japan's advanced transportation technology, it's possible. And because of that, there are now certain ways on how you can travel from Osaka to Tokyo, and that's what we're going to discuss to you.

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Different Ways to Go From Osaka to Tokyo

From Osaka to Tokyo by Shinkansen (Bullet Train)

Traveling from Osaka to Tokyo by bullet train may be the most popular one, and they are connected by the Tokaido Shinkansen Line. There are three trains that operate on this line which are from Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo Station, namely, Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama.

The fastest among these 3 is the Nozomi, it will get you from Osaka to Tokyo in just 2 hours and 30 minutes. Taking Hikari will take you to Tokyo in over 3 hours. While the slowest and the oldest is the Kodama train which stops at every station and will take you to Tokyo in about 4 hours.

Cost

A regular one-way ticket will cost you around ¥14,500 and that is with a reserved seat. If you have strong legs and you're willing to stand the whole trip, then you can take a risk by purchasing a ticket with an unreserved seat which is around ¥13,600. And yes, those are all one-way tickets.

But if you will use a JR Pass, you'll be able to save money. It usually offers a 7-day pass which costs around ¥28,500. The good thing is, it'll give you unlimited travel which covers buses, ferries, local trains, and airport transfers. However, as for the bullet train, JR Pass only covers Hikari and Kodama, and Nozomi is not included.

If you're a first-timer in Japan (or even if you're not) and plan to explore numerous places and cities, which will obviously require you to use a lot of transportation, JR Pass is highly recommended.

Pro's and Con's of Traveling by Bullet Train

Pros

Going to Tokyo by bullet train is fast and is also the easiest. You don't need to go through a lot of security inspections or check-in procedures like in airports. You also don't need to get to the station for an hour in advance.

Cons

It's expensive. This is the only disadvantage a bullet train has. But if you don't mind the ticket price, then this will not be a problem for you. And this is also the reason why we recommend JR Pass for you to save money.

From Osaka to Tokyo by Bus

This is absolutely the cheapest way to go from Osaka to Tokyo. There are numerous bus companies that offer services between the two cities. However, Willer Express is the most popular discount bus in Japan. They offer reasonably priced tickets. But you should hurry when purchasing one since they sell out really fast.

The travel time from Osaka to Tokyo is between 6-10 hours, but the average is 8 hours. If you have a limited time in Japan, then this is not really recommended. The good thing is there are night buses available if you don't want to waste your time sitting on a bus (during the daytime) for about 8 hours instead of wandering around the cities in Japan. These buses leave in the evening and arrive in Tokyo at around 6 or 7 in the morning.

Suggested Tour: Shared Night Bus Transfers from Osaka to Tokyo

Cost

Traveling by bus from Osaka to Tokyo will only cost you between ¥4,000 to ¥8,000.

Pro's and Con's of Traveling by Bus

Pros

It's way cheaper compared to a bullet train and airplane. Plus, it can serve as your accommodation overnight and you will wake up to a new city.

Cons

If you're a light sleeper, it may not be a good idea since you may find it uncomfortable, but for a cheaper price, this is the best option.

From Osaka to Tokyo by Plane

With Osaka having 2 airports namely; Kansai International Airport and Osaka Itami Airport, which both fly frequently to Tokyo, it is not difficult to find a flight.

The travel time is around 1 hour and 15 minutes. However, you also need to consider the travel time getting to the airport and security.

Cost

The flight tickets range from ¥12,000 to ¥30,000. It depends on how early you will book your flight so it is highly recommended to purchase a plane ticket at least 2 months before your target date.

Pro’s and Con’s of Traveling by Plane

Pros

It’s the fastest and also one of the most comfortable way of traveling from Osaka to Tokyo. And because of that, it will save you a lot of time and you’ll get the chance to explore more the two biggest cities in Japan.

Cons

It’s a bit hassle since you need to pass through the security checks and check-in procedure at the airport. Plus, you also need to consider how you will travel from and to the airport.

Whatever your choice is, what matters is how you will manage your time, schedule, and money in order to enjoy both Osaka and Tokyo in one go.

About the Writer

Hi there! I’m Fatima. My first major travel was in 2016 in the beautiful city of Cebu. After that, I got interested in traveling. Now I enjoy learning languages and other country’s cultures. My goal is to visit at least one country each year and to share my experiences with other people through writing or blogging. Witness my journey by following me on Instagram.

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