Shinkansen fares and ticket reservation methods from Osaka to Odawara

Overview of travel methods from Osaka to Odawara

You can travel from Osaka to Odawara using the Sanyo and Tokaido Shinkansen lines. Note that the Shinkansen boarding station within Osaka city is "Shin-Osaka Station." The Shinkansen does not stop at "Osaka Station (Umeda)." Shin-Osaka Station is accessible from Osaka Station (Umeda) in approximately 5 minutes by JR conventional lines or approximately 3 minutes by the Midosuji Subway Line. This article explains Shinkansen fares, travel time, and how to book tickets. We have also compiled useful information for inbound travelers, such as JR Pass usage rules and the types of trains that can be used.

Basic information on getting from Osaka to Odawara

• Travel time: Approximately 2 hours 20-40 minutes (when using "Hikari")
• Fare for unreserved seats (seats that do not require advance reservation): Approximately 11,930 yen
• Fare for reserved seats (seats that require advance reservation): Approximately 12,730 yen
• Available trains: "Nozomi", "Hikari", "Kodama"
• The Shinkansen boarding station within Osaka City is "Shin-Osaka Station". Since the "Nozomi" train does not stop at Odawara Station, please use the "Hikari" or "Kodama" train.
• JR Pass: Please refer to "5. Can the JR Pass be used between Osaka and Odawara?" below.

The appeal of Odawara as a tourist destination

Odawara is a historic castle town located in southwestern Kanagawa Prefecture, known as a gateway to Odawara Castle, Odawara Fishing Port, and Hakone. It also boasts a wide variety of local delicacies, including kamaboko (fish cake), dried fish, and Odawara oden (a type of stew). The travel time from Osaka is approximately 2 hours and 20 to 40 minutes using the "Hikari" train.

Shinkansen fare from Osaka to Odawara

Overall view of Shinkansen fares from Osaka to Odawara

The Shinkansen fare from Shin-Osaka Station to Odawara Station varies depending on the seat class and train type you choose. The Sanyo and Tokaido Shinkansen lines operate trains such as "Nozomi," "Hikari," and "Kodama." The fares are approximate, and during peak seasons (the period from the end of December to the beginning of January, Golden Week, and Obon), a peak season surcharge may be added to reserved seats and Green Car, which require advance reservations. Discounted fares can be purchased using SmartEX or EX Reservation.

Comparison of fares for unreserved seats (seats that do not require advance reservation), reserved seats, and Green Car.

Features and benefits of unreserved seats (seats that do not require advance reservation)

Unreserved seats (seats that do not require advance reservation) are the cheapest seating option. You do not need to purchase a reserved seat ticket in advance before boarding. However, some trains, such as the "Nozomi", may not have unreserved seats available. During peak seasons and busy morning and evening hours, these seats can fill up, so it is recommended to line up on the platform early.

Features and usage scenarios of reserved seats (seats that require advance reservation)

Reserved seats (seats that require advance reservation) allow you to secure your seat number before boarding, so you can travel without worrying about crowds. Reserved seats are especially convenient for groups and families traveling together, as you can secure adjacent seats. If you book online in advance using EX Reservation or SmartEX, you may be eligible for early bird discounts or other discounted fares.

Features and comfort of Green Cars

Green Cars are a premium class offering more spacious seats and enhanced amenities compared to standard class. The seats are arranged in a 2+2 configuration (some are 2+1), and the reclining angle is significantly increased. They are recommended for those who want a more comfortable journey between Osaka and Odawara, as well as for business travelers and special trips.

Travel time from Osaka to Odawara

Shortest Shinkansen travel time between Osaka and Odawara

The travel time from Shin-Osaka Station to Odawara Station varies depending on the train you take. The Shinkansen boarding station within Osaka City is "Shin-Osaka Station." Since the "Nozomi" train does not stop at Odawara Station, please use the "Hikari" or "Kodama" train. The estimated travel time on the fastest train is approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes.

Estimated travel time and differences between trains

If you take the "Hikari" train, the travel from Shin-Osaka to Odawara takes approximately 2 hours and 20 to 40 minutes. Since the "Nozomi" train does not stop at Odawara Station, the "Hikari" is the fastest option. The "Kodama" train stops at every station, so it takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes or more. JR Pass holders can use both the "Hikari" and "Kodama" trains.

Speed and Features of the Sanyo and Tokaido Shinkansen lines

The Sanyo/Tokaido Shinkansen operates at a maximum speed of 285-300 km/h, and one of its attractions is its high on-time performance. This line is one of the busiest Shinkansen lines in Japan, catering to both business and leisure travelers.

Comparison of travel time with air travel

When traveling between Osaka and Odawara by plane, you need to factor in the time required for airport access, check-in, security checks, boarding procedures, and travel from the arrival airport to Odawara city center, in addition to the flight time. With the Shinkansen, you can travel directly from Shin-Osaka Station to Odawara Station without transfers, so the Shinkansen is often the more advantageous option in terms of total travel time.

Time comparison with cars and JR conventional lines

Traveling by car is prone to traffic congestion on expressways, and travel times can be significantly longer, especially during peak seasons and long holidays. JR conventional lines take two to three times longer in travel time than the Shinkansen. In terms of punctuality, travel time, and comfort, the Shinkansen is the best mode of transport between Osaka and Odawara.

Which train is the fastest?

Types of trains available

Between Osaka and Odawara, the "Nozomi," "Hikari," and "Kodama" trains operate. The Shinkansen boarding station within Osaka City is "Shin-Osaka Station." Since the "Nozomi" does not stop at Odawara Station, please use either the "Hikari" or "Kodama" train. Each train makes a different number of stops, resulting in differences in travel time. Please choose the train that best suits your destination and departure time.

Stations where each train stops and their features

The fastest trains make fewer stops and have shorter travel times, while trains that stop at every station run more frequently and are easier to board. Reserved seats tend to sell out quickly during peak season and on weekends, so advance booking is recommended.

Comparison of travel time

*For details, please refer to the "Shin-Osaka Station to Odawara Station Shinkansen Timetable" below.

Recommended trains between Osaka and Odawara

If time is your top priority, the fastest train is recommended. Those with a JR Pass can use the "Nozomi" and "Mizuho" by purchasing a separate "Japan Rail Pass Exclusive Nozomi/Mizuho Ticket." Please refer to the JR Pass section below to select the appropriate train. It's a good idea to check departure and arrival times using transportation information services such as Ekitan to choose the most suitable train.

Points to consider when choosing a train

When choosing a train between Osaka and Odawara, first check if there are any trains that stop at Odawara at your desired departure time. Securing your seat in advance using services like SmartEX, EX Reservation (Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen), or Ekinet (Tohoku/Hokuriku Shinkansen) will make your journey smoother.

How to book Shinkansen tickets

Basic methods for purchasing Shinkansen tickets

Shinkansen tickets between Shin-Osaka and Odawara can be purchased in three ways: at the station's ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi), at ticket vending machines, or online. In all cases, tickets can be purchased or reserved up to one month before the travel date. During peak season, reserved seats (seats that do not require advance reservation) tend to sell out quickly, so it's recommended to book early once your travel dates are finalized. Payment methods include credit cards, transportation IC cards, and cash.

 

 

How to purchase tickets at the station's ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi)

Shinkansen tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) at JR stations. Simply tell the staff your departure station, arrival station, date and time, number of passengers, and seat class to complete the process. Major stations such as Shin-Osaka Station and Odawara Station also have English-speaking counters, so even those who are not confident in their Japanese can use the service with ease. Since the counters can get crowded at certain times, it is recommended to visit with plenty of time to spare.

How to use a ticket vending machine

You can also purchase Shinkansen tickets at the "reserved seat ticket vending machines" installed at stations. Many of these machines now support multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, and French, allowing you to purchase tickets simply by following the on-screen instructions. Since credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and American Express are accepted, you don't need cash. Using a ticket vending machine is a smoother option if the ticket counters are crowded.

Online reservations (SmartEX/EX Reservation (online reservation service provided by JR Central and JR West))

For online reservations, SmartEX and EX Reservation (online reservation services provided by JR Central and JR West) are convenient. SmartEX allows you to pass through ticket gates using your smartphone or transportation IC card (such as Suica) without needing a physical ticket. EX Reservation offers greater discounts than SmartEX and is especially recommended for frequent Shinkansen users. Visitors from overseas can also utilize the official website and travel booking sites (such as Klook and Railpass) which are available in English.

 

 

Points to note when making a reservation

When booking a Shinkansen ticket between Osaka and Odawara, be sure to confirm that the train stops at Odawara Station. During peak seasons (the period from the end of December to the beginning of January, Golden Week, and Obon), reserved seats (seats that require advance reservation) tend to sell out quickly, so we recommend booking as soon as your travel plans are finalized. The Shinkansen boarding station within Osaka city is "Shin-Osaka Station." The Shinkansen does not stop at "Osaka Station (Umeda)." Shin-Osaka Station can be accessed from Osaka Station (Umeda) in about 5 minutes by JR conventional lines or about 3 minutes by subway Midosuji Line.

Can the JR Pass be used between Osaka and Odawara?

Overview of JR Pass

The JR Pass is a special ticket for travelers who do not reside in Japan, allowing unlimited travel on JR lines without additional charges. It comes in 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day versions, and during its validity period, it allows unlimited travel on JR Shinkansen, limited express trains, and JR conventional lines without additional fees. It can be purchased at travel agencies outside of Japan or at select ticket counters within Japan. A passport is required for use.

Regarding use between Osaka and Odawara

Restrictions on the use of "Nozomi" and "Mizuho"

The "Nozomi" and "Mizuho" cannot be used with the JR Pass. If you have a JR Pass, please choose a train that can be used with the JR Pass, such as the "Sakura", "Hikari", "Kodama", "Hakutaka", or "Yamabiko". Please note that the "Hayabusa" and "Komachi" on the Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen lines can be used with the JR Pass, but a separate reserved seat ticket (for a fee) is required.

Conditions for using trains with JR Pass

With a JR Pass, you can board trains with unreserved seats (seats that do not require advance reservation). If you wish to use a reserved seat (a seat that requires advance reservation), you must reserve your seat at the station's ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) or a reserved seat ticket vending machine before boarding. There is no additional charge for seat reservations.

Points to note when using JR Pass

The JR Pass is valid for consecutive days from the start date, so it's important to carefully set the start date to match your travel schedule. If your travel plans involve visiting multiple cities, not just Osaka to Odawara, you'll often get your money's worth from the JR Pass. Since ticket counters can get crowded on the day of travel, it's a good idea to make a seat reservation by the day before.

Shinkansen timetable between Osaka and Odawara

Osaka to Odawara Shinkansen service frequency

The Shinkansen trains between Shin-Osaka and Odawara operate frequently, even during the daytime. The "Nozomi", "Hikari", and "Kodama" are in service, and it's recommended to check the timetable in advance before departing. Extra trains may be added during peak seasons and tourist seasons.

Guideline for the first and last trains

The first trains departing from Shin-Osaka Station leave as early as 6:00 AM, while the last trains to Odawara Station depart between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Taking the early morning train allows you to enjoy sightseeing in Odawara from the morning. Using the late-night last train allows you to travel to Odawara on the same day, even after finishing your business in Osaka.

How to read a Shinkansen timetable

You can check the Shinkansen timetable between Osaka and Odawara on the JR official website or on transportation information services such as Ekitan. When searching, enter your departure station "Shin-Osaka", arrival station "Odawara", travel date, and time to see a list of train times and fares.

Shin-Osaka Station to Odawara Station Shinkansen Timetable (Excerpt/Approximate)

*Actual times and train numbers may change due to seasonal changes or revisions to the operating schedule. Please check the latest information on Ekitan or other sources.

Peak hours and points to note

The Shin-Osaka to Odawara section is particularly crowded during peak seasons (the period from the end of December to the beginning of January, Golden Week, and Obon) and on weekends. If you reserve your reserved seats (seats that require advance reservation) online in advance, you can travel comfortably without worrying about the crowds on the day of travel.

Summary: Shinkansen from Osaka to Odawara

The Sanyo and Tokaido Shinkansen lines are the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Osaka to Odawara. Fares are approximately ¥11,930 for unreserved seats (seats that do not require advance reservation), ¥12,730 for reserved seats (seats that require advance reservation), and ¥17,290 for Green Car. The fastest travel time is approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes, making it an efficient way to travel from Osaka to Odawara. The Shinkansen boarding station in Osaka is Shin-Osaka Station. Since the "Nozomi" does not stop at Odawara Station, please use the "Hikari" or "Kodama". If you have a JR Pass, you cannot use the "Nozomi" or "Mizuho", so please choose a train that is eligible for JR Pass. Tickets can be purchased at station ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi), reserved seat ticket machines, or online (SmartEX, EX Reservation (online reservation service provided by JR Central and JR West)). Choose the train that best suits your travel plans and enjoy a comfortable Shinkansen journey between Osaka and Odawara.

Ekitan Travel Media Editorial Department

The Ekitan Travel Media editorial team provides information on transportation in Japan, including Shinkansen, JR conventional lines, intercity travel, and access to tourist destinations. We also offer easy-to-understand travel information for international visitors.
This article is published by Ekitan Co., Ltd., the provider of the train transfer information service "Ekitan," and is based on Japanese railway and transportation information. Ekitan's website and app are used by over 10 million users per month.