Shinkansen Hikari (Train No. HKR) is a high-speed train operated by JR Group on the Japan national rail network. As a high-speed train, it is a high-speed service operating on a dedicated or upgraded corridor at greatly reduced journey time compared to conventional trains.
Shinkansen Hikari runs on every day of the week, with the timetable above showing the scheduled departure time at each intermediate stop.
Shinkansen Hikari typically offers multiple travel classes ranging from economy through to premium options including air-conditioned coaches and where applicable sleeper berths for overnight travel. Current class availability and published fares are best confirmed through the official JR Group booking platform on the day of booking.
Tickets for Shinkansen Hikari are sold by JR Group through the official booking portal at jrpass.com. Online booking typically opens between 30 and 180 days before departure depending on the operator and service type. Booking early gives access to the cheapest advance discount fares which can be 30–80% cheaper than walk-up tickets at the station. Tickets are also available at station booking offices and from authorised travel agents and ticket resellers. Most operators accept payment by credit card, debit card, and digital wallet.
On the day of travel, arrive at the originating station at least 30–45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. This gives time to locate the correct platform (platform number is announced on station information displays 20–60 minutes before departure), find your reserved coach (coach numbers are marked along the platform edge at major stations), and board with your luggage. High-speed trains require reserved seating and operate strictly to timetable — last-minute boarding is rarely possible after the scheduled departure time. Coach numbers, seat row, and platform are all confirmed on the e-ticket or booking confirmation; do not rely on the seat being available unreserved.
This Shinkansen Hikari page is part of the TrainsTracking Japan timetable collection covering passenger rail services across the JR Group network. Schedule data is verified daily against the official operator timetable, and fare information reflects the most recent published tariff. TrainsTracking is an information platform and does not process bookings or payments — all ticket purchases are completed directly through jrpass.com. For real-time delay information, platform changes, and same-day cancellations, always check station displays or the official operator app immediately before travel.
Book Shinkansen Hikari tickets at jrpass.com, the official JR Group portal. Compare fares and seat availability before booking. Online booking typically opens 30 to 90 days before departure.
Book NowVisit any JR Group booking office in person. Staff can help with seat selection, group bookings, and special assistance. Book early for popular departure times and holidays.
Contact JR Group for schedule information, delay updates, and booking assistance via their official website or station helpdesk.
Visit JR GroupThe full Shinkansen Hikari timetable is shown in the schedule table above with departure times at every stop. Confirm timings with JR Group before travel as schedules can change between annual timetable revisions.
Ticket prices for Shinkansen Hikari vary by travel class, booking date, and seat availability. Check https://www.jrpass.com for current published fares and class options.
Tickets for Shinkansen Hikari are sold through jrpass.com, the official JR Group booking platform. Online booking opens between 30 and 180 days before departure depending on operator. Book in advance for the cheapest available fares. Tickets can also be purchased at station booking offices during opening hours, typically 08:00–20:00 daily.
The full stop list for Shinkansen Hikari is being expanded in our database. For the complete route stop sequence, check the official JR Group timetable or website.
Shinkansen Hikari running days are shown in the hero section at the top of this page (badges indicate which days of the week the train operates). Some long-distance services run daily while others operate only on specific days (typically weekday-only or weekend-only). Operating days can change with the annual timetable revision (usually December) so verify current running days with JR Group before booking, particularly for trips planned more than 6 months ahead.
Yes, jrpass.com typically accepts international debit and credit cards from major card networks. Some operators require a local phone number for SMS confirmation — check the booking requirements before starting your reservation. Booking platforms display fares in the local currency of the operator.
Shinkansen Hikari typically offers multiple travel classes from economy through to premium options. Current class availability is best checked through jrpass.com at the time of booking.
Platform numbers are not pre-published — they are announced on station information displays between 20 and 60 minutes before scheduled departure. Arrive early at the originating station to check the platform allocation displays. At larger stations, platform numbers can also be viewed on the operator's app. If the train is delayed or rescheduled, the platform may change at short notice — always verify against station displays immediately before boarding.