How to board Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen with a JR Pass

Can I use the "Nozomi" or "Mizuho" Shinkansen with my JAPAN RAIL PASS?

Not with the standard JAPAN RAIL PASS alone. Traditionally, the JR Pass has excluded the two fastest Shinkansen services: the "Nozomi" (on the Tokaido/Sanyo lines) and the "Mizuho" (on the Sanyo/Kyushu lines). However, following the major price revision in October 2023, a new option has been introduced for travelers who prioritize speed and convenience.

How to use the Nozomi and Mizuho:
To board these trains, you must purchase a "Special Upgrade Supplement Ticket [ONLY WITH JAPAN RAIL PASS]" before your journey.

  • Cost: You must pay an additional fee for each segment (e.g., Tokyo to Shin-Osaka). The price varies depending on the distance.
  • Where to purchase: These supplement tickets can be bought at JR Ticket Offices (Midori-no-madoguchi), Reserved Seat Ticket Machines, or JR Travel Service Centers throughout Japan.
  • Required Documents: You must hold both your valid JAPAN RAIL PASS and the specific supplement ticket to board.

Free Alternatives:
If you prefer not to pay an extra fee, your JR Pass continues to offer unlimited free travel and free seat reservations on other high-speed services such as the Hikari, Sakura, Kodama, and Tsubame. While these trains make more stops than the Nozomi, they use the same tracks and reach the same major destinations.