Cheapest Shinkansen tickets to Tokyo

Hi,

I am living in Kansai and will need regular travel to Tokyo/Yokohama. I looked at the Shinkansen guide on here. Is there anyway to get really cheap tickets? It costs a fortune at the moment.

I will start the ball (train?) rolling by saying than in any country with High speed trains these trains are expensive because they save so much time. The price for a Shinkansen Tokyo-Osaka ticket is comparable to those in Europe for a similar distance. Some countries do have cheaper tickets if one buy them well in advance so you might want to inquire with JR East. This site is for tourists and doesn't have all the fares available to people living in Japan for longer than the average tourist.

I am living in Kansai and will need regular travel to Tokyo/Yokohama. I looked at the Shinkansen guide on here. Is there anyway to get really cheap tickets? It costs a fortune at the moment.

1. 'Puratto Kodama' ticket
-10,000 yen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka each way.
-Must be bought by one day prior to departure at JR Tokai Tours, JTB or JTB Traveland.
-Only valid on the Kodama

http://www.jrtours.co.jp/kodama/shinosaka.html

2. Utilizing a 'Shuccho Plan' or a business trip package on the Hikari sold by JR Tokai Tours.

http://www.jrtours.co.jp/domestic/tour/tourlist.aspx?sn=2008...

-Prices from 23,700 yen including a return ticket from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo on the Hikari and one night accommodation in Tokyo.
-Must be bought by 7 days prior to departure.
-JTB or other travel agencies sell very similar packages. In case of JTB, you can buy a similar package by one day before departure.