Travel News: Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Changes

On October 1, 2003, several changes were introduced to the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen, Japan's most important bullet train line which connects Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka's Hakata Station.

While the changes greatly improved the nozomi service (the fastest of three train categories on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen), they reduced the attractiveness of the hikari service (the second fastest of the three train categories), which is not particularly good news for holders of the Japan Rail Pass, as the pass remains invalid on nozomi trains.


The changes in pictures

More Nozomi - Less Hikari
The number of nozomi was increased from a maximum of three to a maximum of seven trains per hour, while the number of hikari was decreased from a maximum of six to a maximum of two trains per hour. There are now no more direct hikari trains that run all the way from Tokyo to Hakata.

The nozomi gets cheaper
The supplemental fees for riding a nozomi were cut by more than half, reducing the price difference between nozomi and hikari/kodama tickets. From Tokyo to Kyoto, for example, the supplemental nozomi fee dropped from 970 to 300 Yen. The Japan Rail Pass is still not valid on nozomi trains!

Non-reserved seating on the nozomi introduced
The formerly all-reserved nozomi trains now carry three wagons with unreserved seats each. They can be found at the front of trains heading westwards (in direction of Hakata) and the back of trains heading eastwards (in direction of Tokyo).

Shinagawa Station opened for shinkansen
Shinagawa Station, a large train station in southern Tokyo, is now served by the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. About half of all trains make a brief stop at Shinagawa Station. The station was enlarged and renovated, and the surrounding area is being redeveloped.

Ogori Station becomes Shin-Yamaguchi Station
Ogori Station on the Sanyo Shinkansen was renamed Shin-Yamaguchi Station. The reason is the merger of Ogori Town with neighboring Yamaguchi City, the capital of Yamaguchi Prefecture.