Nozomi (train)
Nozomi is the fastest train service operating on Japan's Tōkaidō and San'yō Shinkansen lines. Nozomi services reach speeds of up to between Shin-Ōsaka and Hakata. The fastest Nozomi service covers the journey between Tokyo and Osaka in 2 hours 21 minutes, while the fastest Tokyo–Hakata service takes 4 hours 45 minutes., services are operated primarily by the newest N700S series trainsets, with some N700A series sets also in use.
Compared with the limited-stop Hikari and local Kodama services, the express Nozomi trains stop only at major stations. On the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, Nozomi services stop only at Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, and Kyōto between Tokyo and Shin-Ōsaka. On the San'yō Shinkansen, stops are limited to Shin-Kōbe, Okayama, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, and Kokura between Shin-Ōsaka and Hakata.
Holders of the Japan Rail Pass are required to purchase an additional ticket to travel on Nozomi services.
History
Wartime steam services
The Nozomi name was first used for long-distance express services operated between Busan in Japanese-occupied Korea and Mukden in the former Manchukuo from 1934. From 1938, the services were extended to run between Busan and Xinjing in Manchukuo. The journey from Busan to Xinjing took over 29 hours, with an average speed of. The services were run down between 1943 and 1944.Shinkansen services
Nozomi shinkansen services commenced on March 14, 1992, using new 300 series trainsets with a top speed of. From March 1997, 500 series trainsets were introduced on Tokyo - Hakata Nozomi services, running at a maximum speed of and covering the section between Shin-Osaka and Hakata in 2 hours 17 minutes.700 series trains were introduced on Nozomi services in 1999, and N700 series trains were introduced from July 1, 2007, initially with four daily round-trip runs. All regularly scheduled through Nozomi services to the San'yō Shinkansen were operated by N700 series sets from 13 March 2010. From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012, all regularly scheduled Nozomi services, including runs limited to the Tokaido Shinkansen, were operated by N700 series sets.
With effect December 2023, JR Central and JR West adjusted all Nozomi services to operate with only reserved seats during three seasons that experience the highest ridership: New Years and Christmas, Golden Week, and the Obon festival. These adjustments were made in a bid to increase seat patronage and reduce the amount of standing passengers. From the start of the revised timetable on 15 March 2025, Nozomi services began to operate with only two non-reserved seating cars instead of three outside of peak periods, with officials citing an increase in the popularity of online train reservations.
Stopping pattern
LegendOnly basic Nozomi stopping patterns are shown. Additional Nozomi trains with differing stopping patterns are added during holiday and high-peak travel periods and are not included in this table. Some trains begin/terminate at Nagoya, Shin-Osaka, Nishi-Akashi, Himeji, Okayama, or Hiroshima.
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Rolling stock
Current rolling stock
Former rolling stock
Formations
Current operations
As of March 2025, trains are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Hakata end, and car 16 at the Tokyo end. All seats are non-smoking.On N700A trains, power outlets are located at the window seats and car end seats on standard cars, and at each seat in Green cars. On N700S trains, power outlets are located at each seat.
The seventh car is designated as the S Work car, which is intended for business travelers. Unlike standard cars, where a quiet, library-like atmosphere is encouraged, the S Work car permits phone calls, video conferences, and laptop use. Passengers are asked to refrain from chatting with strangers in order to maintain a work-focused environment. Seats recline less than in other cars to provide additional usable tray-table space. Some seats are designated S Work P, in which the tray tables are angled toward the passenger to improve comfort when using a laptop and the middle seat is blocked, providing additional personal space, a privacy partition, and a beverage holder, as the angled tray tables are not suitable for holding drinks. The S Work car also offers WiFi that is faster, more secure and has no time limits.
In 2021, payphones were removed from cars 4, 9, 15 and car 12. In March 2024, smoking rooms in cars 3, 7, 10, and 15 were deactivated on trains.