Hikari or Kodama: check the stops before booking
Look for a Hikari service that stops at Odawara and continues to Kyoto. Not every Hikari calls at Odawara, so the train name alone is not enough to choose a departure.
Kodama makes more stops and takes longer. Compare the departure, arrival and transfer count for your date. A connecting itinerary may also appear; check the change of train and total journey time before selecting it.
Allow time to reach Odawara from Hakone
Plan the local journey from your accommodation to Odawara before choosing the Shinkansen departure. Hakone-Yumoto, Gora and the Lake Ashi area are different starting points, with different connections to Odawara.
Allow a buffer for the local connection, walking to the Shinkansen gates and any ticket collection. A fixed transfer time cannot cover every hotel, bus connection or luggage situation. Check the local timetable for the day you travel.
Arriving at Kyoto Station
Your Shinkansen arrives at Kyoto Station. An onward trip to a hotel, Gion or another sightseeing area is separate from the Shinkansen journey. Check the local train, subway, bus or taxi connection for your final destination.
Seats, luggage and boarding
Choose your date and departure before comparing the available seat options. If travelling together, check the assigned seats and confirmation rather than assuming adjacent seats are guaranteed.
For baggage whose length, width and height total more than 160 cm and no more than 250 cm, reserve a seat with an oversized baggage space on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen. Baggage exceeding 250 cm in total dimensions cannot be brought on board. Other length and weight limits also apply; check the operator guidance before travel.
Follow the collection and boarding instructions supplied with your issued ticket. A booking confirmation or collection code is not automatically a ticket that opens the gate. Allow time for collection if required, and check your train, carriage and seat before boarding.
