How to Get from Tokyo to Osaka with Kids: The Complete Family Guide
Traveling from Tokyo to Osaka with kids can feel daunting , but it’s a right of passage, especially for first time visitors to Japan. If you’re taking the journey from Tokyo to Osaka then there are several different options and there’s a lot to consider: time, cost, convenience, and keeping little ones entertained. How to get from Tokyo to Osaka with kids was something we really thought about, especially because we like to travel on a budget.
We’ve made this journey ourselves (via shinkansen) with our boys when they were younger and we’re making it again with them next month! But which route is right for you? In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the options, share our experience, and help you decide what’s best for your family.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to get from Tokyo to Osaka with kids:
Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
Quick Comparison Table
Don’t want to read the whole article? Here’s a quick comparison table if you need to make a decision fast!
| Transport | Duration | Pros | Cons | Book Now |
| Shinkansen train | 2h30m | Fast, fun, and convenient | More expensive than buses | Check prices here |
| Flight | 1h15m + transfer and waiting time | Shorter time travelling, could use air miles | Takes longer when you consider check in and waiting times, have to pay for transfers to and from the city centre | Check prices here |
| Car hire | 6-8 hours | Great if you want a road trip | Takes a long time, toll roads can be pricey | Check prices here |
| Highway bus | 8-10 hours | The cheapest option, best for budget travellings | Takes the longest, an uncomfortable journey | Check prices here |
1. Tokyo To Osaka Via Shinkansen (Bullet Train)
The fastest, most convenient option for families. Despite the extra cost, we always choose the Shinkansen.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (Nozomi train), 3 hours (Hikari)
✔ Pros
- Departures are every 10–15 minutes, making it perfect for flexible schedules
- You travel city centre to city centre, no airport transfers needed
- Comfortable seating, lots of space for kids
- Scenic views along the way
- No luggage limits like planes
❌ Cons
- More expensive than buses
- Reserved seating is recommended during busy periods (Golden Week, school holidays) which reduces flexibility
Our Experience
We did so much research on all the options available before our first trip to Japan and we always take the Shinkansen with kids. Firstly, it’s worth noting that factoring in getting to/from airports, check-in, and security, the bullet train is actually faster than flying. Kids can move around, look out the window, and there’s no stressful airport waiting. Plus the experience of riding the shinkansen is a bucket list item in its own right: my boys absolutely love watching the world whizz by them on these high speed trains! They got train shaped eki ben (bento boxes) and it was a ‘we’ll never forget this’ moment for both of them.
It isn’t the cheapest option (the overnight bus is cheaper) but it is the most convenient…and the most fun!
💡 Tip: Buy your tickets in advance (especially for reserved seating). JR Pass holders can use the Hikari trains, so something to consider if you decide to buy a JR Pass.
🚅 Is the JR Rail Pass Worth It? Read my full article here to find out
👉 Check availability and book your Shinkansen tickets here to avoid disappointment
🎁 Use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an extra exclusive reader discount
2. Flying From Tokyo To Osaka
Faster in the air, but often slower door-to-door.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes flight
✔ Pros
- Can be cheaper if you book in advance with low-cost carriers
- Useful if you have airline miles or points to use up, as you could travel for free!
❌ Cons
- It’s not as fast as it sounds! Airport check-in, security, and waiting time can easily add anther 2 hours to your journey
- You’ll have to travel to/from airports outside city centres (Haneda → Osaka Itami or Kansai) which will add to the cost and the journey time
- You will have luggage limits to think about
- It tends to be less comfortable for kids than the train
Verdict
You might find that flying is cheaper, and especially if you have points to use, this can be a very tempting offer. But for families, flying is usually slower overall than the Shinkansen unless your staying near an airport and have light luggage. We will be taking our first internal flight in Japan this year (Osaka to Okinawa) so I will update with more first-hand experience when we have it!
3. Car Hire / Driving In Japan
You’ll have the freedom to stop wherever you like, but a long journey time. This only works if you want to make the road trip a part of your adventure!
Duration: 6–8 hours depending on traffic
✔ Pros
- Flexible schedule is the main pro here. You can explore small towns along the way!
- Great if you have lots of luggage or want to bring strollers / equipment
❌ Cons
- It’s a long drive for kids, who may require multiple breaks (so plan for that!)
- Toll roads in Japan can be expensive. Going off the toll roads will make your journey time even longer!
- Parking costs in cities in Japan are expensive!
Verdict
We love a good road trip, and we’ve written here about our road trips around Europe before. But hiring a car in Japan is only the best option if you’re planning a road trip, otherwise the Shinkansen is far less stressful. We will be hiring a car to take a road trip around Okinawa this year, and I can’t wait to share that adventure here!
👉 Thinking of hiring a car in Japan? We’ve booked our car hire with Klook and you can check prices and availability here
🎁 Code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK gets you an extra discount too
4. Highway Buses
Budget-friendly, overnight options exist. If you’re on a budget, and comfort and convenience aren’t your top priority, consider a highway bus
Duration: 8–10 hours
✔ Pros
- Cheapest option, works best for those on the tightest budgets
- Overnight buses can save on accommodation costs, as you can sleep on the bus
❌ Cons
- It’s much less comfortable than the train or the plane
- It’s a very long journey for kids, who will be expected to be quiet as other people sleep
- You’ll have Limited space to move around
Verdict
In my opinion taking the overnight bus between Tokyo and Osaka is only really worth it for budget travellers or overnight trips; not ideal for families with small children. I would have opted for this on my own in my 20s, but I would never do it with the boys now!
👉 Check availability and book your overnight highway bus from Tokyo to Osaka here
🎁 Use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an extra exclusive reader discount
Our Recommendation
Take the Shinkansen.
It’s fast, reliable, and stress-free. You avoid airport transfers and long lines, your kids can relax or move around, and you’re right in the city centre when you arrive. You won’t have to spend money on airport transfers, and you won’t waste a precious day of your Japan trip travelling from city to city. Plus, it’s the most fun option too! If you plan ahead and book reserved seating, it’s smooth sailing.
Flying is only worth it if your schedule is tight and you’re near airports. Driving is a fun road trip option but not ideal for a standard family visit. Buses are cheapest but very long for little ones, and they waste a lot o time (even more so if you can’t actually do anything when you get to Osaka because your kids are tired and cranky!) .
Practical Tips for Families
- Reserve seats early: Especially during peak travel times. We’re taking the shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka at the beginning of April (in just over 2 months time) and we’ve already booked our tickets!
- Pack snacks and entertainment: Kids get restless even on trains, and although you’re not usually allowed to eat on trains in Japan, the shinkansen is the rare exception: take advantage of that!
- Use luggage forwarding services: Ship larger suitcases to Osaka for stress-free travel
- Arrive early: Even trains have boarding time considerations with children. Get to the platform and find the right door for boarding around 15 minutes before your planned departure time (trains in Japan are never late!)
How To Get From Tokyo To Osaka : Further Reading
Ready to keep planning your trip in Tokyo and Osaka? Don’t worry, we have a whole host of resources to help you make your trip to Japan your next vacation yet! Check out:
🗼Ultimate 5-Days Tokyo Itinerary for Families: Full Guide For Travelling With Kids
🎴 10 Day Tokyo Itinerary for 2025: The Perfect Japan Stay For Families and First Timers
🐱👤3 Day Osaka Itinerary (2026): The Perfect Family Guide to Japan’s Most Fun City
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Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
