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Platto Kodama - Discount Shinkansen Tickets Between Tokyo and Osaka ​

Platto Kodama (ぷらっとこだま) Regular Car; Reserved seat plan

Overview ​

Travel time between Tokyo & Kyoto ​

NameJPTimeNote
Nozmoiのぞみ2.25 hrsFastest, Cannot use JR Pass
Hikariひかり2.67 hoursCan use JR Pass
Kodamaこだま3.62 hoursSlowest (1.37 hours slower), Can use JR Pass

Naming ​

  • Japanese: ぷらっとこだま普通車指定席プラン
  • Google Translate: Plattokodama Regular Car Reserved Seat Plan
  • English: Platt Kodama

Pricing ​

  • Platto Kodama + Ordinary car plan -> 10,600 yen
  • Platto Kodama + Green car plan -> 12,100 yen
  • Comparison (Regular Prices):
    • Nozomi Ordinary car; reserved seat -> 14,170 yen (+3,670 yen)
    • Hikari or Kodama Ordinary car; reserved seat -> 13,850 yen (+3,350 yen)

Restrictions ​

  • Platto Kodama tickets MUST be purchased the day BEFORE the travel date.
    • It cannot be bought on the day of travel
  • Fixed trip plan - you cannot take any other trains.
  • Seat assigned - you cannot use any other seat or change the seat.
  • No stopover allowed - your ticket expires once you get off the train.
  • A handling charge is charged when issuing a refund

Is it worth it? ​

TripSavingsAdded Travel Time
Tokyo ↔ Shin-Osaka4,020 yen+1.5 hrs
Tokyo ↔ Kyoto3,670 yen+1.5 hrs
Tokyo ↔ Nagoya2,800 yen+1 hr 10 mins
Nagoya ↔ Shin-Osaka2,180 yen+21 mins
Nagoya ↔ Kyoto1,510 yen+21 mins

Details ​

Japanese

English

Booking Methods ​

In-Person Booking ​

Go to a JR Tokai Tours branch office and book the ticket in person.

Online Booking ​

⚠️ Warning for Online Booking! ⚠️

  • Their website is terrible and can run into bugs!
  • Some credit cards are denied without reason given.
  • Reservations on this site are ONLY available from 5:30 to 23:30
    • Apparently, their servers need to sleep...

⚡ Tips for Online Booking:

  • Create an account first (it is buggy )
    • It is called My Page (マイページ) account
  • Reserve tickets well ahead of 23:30
  • Prepare multiple credit card options

Search Query ​

JapaneseEnglishExample Values
乗車日Boarding date2020/01/01
乗車駅Boarding station東京 (Tokyo)
降車駅Arrival station京都 (Kyoto)
出発時刻Boarding timeSelect the earliest desired boarding time

Online Booking Steps ​

  1. 商品選択 - Product selection
  2. 選択内容確認 - Confirm your selection
  3. 取引条件確認 - Confirm transaction conditions
  4. 申込情報入力 - Enter application information
  5. 申込情報確認 - Confirm application information
  6. 申込完了 - Application completed

Vouchers You Will Get ​

With Platt Kodama, you will get the following vouchers/documents the following:

  • Platt Itinerary - i.e., receipt
  • Kodama Coupon - Train ticket for the Kodama Express Shinkansen
  • Platt Drink Voucher

What is the Kodama Coupon?

  • Use Kodama Coupon as a ticket for the Kodama Express train.
    • You do not need to exchange the coupon for a ticket.
  • Only use ticket gates for JR Tokai's SHINKANSEN train!
    • Show the Kodama Coupon at the gates.
    • ⚠️ Do not use automatic gates.

Platt Free Drink ​

Get a free drink at shops with the following conditions:

  • In the Tokaido Shinkansen Stations (Tokyo ~ Shin-Osaka Stations)
  • Shops with this sticker JR TOKAI TOURS, INC. Sticker
  • ⚠️ The voucher cannot be exchanged on Kodama Express as there is no wagon service.

Pick Up The Platt Kodama Tickets ​

Two Steps:

  1. Prep - Get your Platt Kodama ticket's pickup QR Code and confirmation 6-digit code ready!
  2. Pickup - Scan the QR Code and input the confirmation code to get your tickets from the Ticket Machine

Prep - Getting the ticket's pickup QR Code and confirmation code ​

  1. Navigate to the JR Tokai Tours's Reservation Confirmation Page (予約内容確認): https://ec.jrtours.co.jp/ec/member/InquirySelect
  2. Log in to your My Page (マイページ) account
  3. Click the 一覧 (List) or 一覧を表示する (Display list) button
  4. Click the 詳細 (Details) button
  5. Navigate to the 選択ツアー詳細 (Select tour details) column
  6. Click the JR乗車票 受取コード 確認コード表示 (JR boarding pass receipt code/confirmation code display) button
  7. A Platt Kodama ticket's pickup QR Code and confirmation 6-digit code will be displayed
  8. {Optional} Repeat the process to display the return trip's Platt Kodama ticket pickup QR Code
StepScreenShot
3 ~ 4ticket-details-1.png
5ticket-details-2.png

Pickup - Using the Ticket Machine ​

⚠️ Navigate to the Correct Ticket Machine

✅ Correct Ticket Machines❌ Incorrect Ticket Machines
TicketMachine-Correct.pngTicketMachine-Incorrect.png
StepsScreenshotsDescription
1method001.pngPlease press the "Pick up JR TOKAI TOURS tour ticket" button
2method002.pngScan the Platt Kodama ticket's pickup QR Code
3method003.pngInput the confirmation 6-digit code and press the "Confirm" button
4method004.pngConfirm the ticket details and press the "Print" button
5method005.pngPlease take all the vouchers/documents: Platt Itinerary (1x), Kodama Coupon (number of passengers), Drink Voucher (number of passengers)

Pickup Locations ​

(As of September 2020)

  • Tokyo Station
  • Shinagawa Station
  • Shin-Yokohama Station
  • Shizuoka Station
  • Hamamatsu Station
  • Nagoya Station
  • Kyoto Station
  • Shin-Osaka Station

⚠️ Tickets cannot be picked up by Ticket Machines inside the JR East, JR West, or JR Kyushu stations.

Pick Up at Tokyo Station ​

Branch Location:

  • Next to the ticket gate at the South Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station
  • Google map
  • Map: Tokyo station branch

Hours:

  • Mon - Fri: 10:00-18:00
  • Sat/Sun/Holidays: 10:00-18:00

Pick Up at Shinagawa station ​

Branch Location:

  • Next to the Shinkansen South exit in JR Shinagawa Station
  • Google map
  • Map: Shinagawa station branch

Hours:

  • Mon - Fri: 11:00-18:00
  • Sat/Sun/Holidays: 11:00-18:00

Pick Up at Shin-Yokohama station ​

Branch Location:

  • Next to Shinkansen West exit in JR Shin-Yokohama Sta.
  • Google map
  • Map: shin Yokohama station branch

Hours:

  • Mon - Fri: 10:00-17:00
  • Sat/Sun/Holidays: 10:00-17:00

Pick Up at Nagoya station ​

Branch Location:

Hours:

  • Mon - Fri: 10:00-18:00
  • Sat/Sun/Holidays: 10:00-18:00

Pick Up at Kyoto Station ​

1st Floor Kyoto Branch ​

Branch Location:

  • 1st Floor of JR Kyoto Station - Hachijo exit
  • Google map
  • Map: Kyoto station's 1st floor branch

Hours:

  • Mon - Fri: 10:30-18:00
  • Sat/Sun/Holidays: 10:30-18:00

2nd Floor Kyoto Branch ​

Branch Location:

  • 2nd Floor of JR Kyoto Station - Shinkansen Central exit
  • Google map
  • Map: Kyoto station's 2nd floor branch

Hours:

  • Mon - Fri: 9:30-17:30
  • Sat/Sun/Holidays: 9:30-17:30

Pick Up at Shin-Osaka Station ​

Branch Location:

Hours:

  • Mon - Fri: 10:00-17:30
  • Sat/Sun/Holidays: 10:00-17:30

Call JR Tokai Tours Support ​

  • JR Tokai Tours / JR東海ツアーズ
  • Platto Travel Support / ぷらっと旅・コールセンター
  • Platto Kodama "Online Reservation" Tour Desk / ぷらっとこだま"ネット予約"ツアーデスク
  • Business days: Open all year round (excluding year-end and New Year holidays)
  • Business hours: 10:00-18:00
  • Phone number: 03-6854-4160

Sources ​

⚠️ JR Central's servers are down from 23:30 ~ 5:00 JST ⚠️ ​

You cannot book tickets during this time.

Takaido Shinkansen Line - JR Central ​

  • JR Central operates the Tokaido Shinkansen Line, which connects Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
  • The line is served by 3 types of trains: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama
    • Nozomi is the fastest, express train. Nozomi is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
    • Hikari is the second fastest. Hikari is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
    • Kodama is the slowest, stopping at every station. Kodama is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Stations on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line ​

StationNozomiHikariKodama
TOKYO⬤⬤⬤
SHINAGAWA⬤⬤⬤
SHIN-YOKOHAMA⬤⬤⬤
ODAWARA▲⬤
ATAMI▲⬤
MISHIMA▲⬤
SHIN-FUJI▲⬤
SHIZUOKA⬤⬤
KAKEGAWA▲⬤
HAMAMATSU▲⬤
TOYOHASHI▲⬤
MIKAWA-ANJO▲⬤
NAGOYA⬤⬤⬤
GIFU-HASHIMA▲⬤
MAIBARA▲⬤
KYOTO⬤⬤⬤
SHIN-OSAKA⬤⬤⬤

Legend

  • ⬤ = Stop
  • ▲ = Some trains stop
  • (Blank) = No stop