BULLET TRAIN vs PLANE across JAPAN! Which is Faster
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Date: 2026-03-07
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Comments and reviews: 20
nameno9697
Thank you for the great video, it's interesting even for Japanese people to watch.
In fact, the Shinkansen’s greatest advantage lies in its massive transport capacity. One 16-car train can carry up to 1, 300 passengers, equivalent to several large aircraft or as many as ten regional jets. Furthermore, these trains can operate at intervals of just three minutes during peak times, a frequency that airplanes simply cannot match.
The availability of both systems provides travelers with genuine freedom of choice, fostering fierce competition that drives continuous service improvements. While flying remains the primary choice for longer journeys, such as Tokyo to Fukuoka, the Shinkansen serves as a vital alternative if flights are cancelled, ensuring a resilient transport network.
As a side note, Shinkansen operators are pushing even further with the Maglev. Currently under construction (initially to Nagoya, it will travel at 310 mph, reaching approximately 60% of the speed of a commercial plane.
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Thank you for the great video, it's interesting even for Japanese people to watch.
In fact, the Shinkansen’s greatest advantage lies in its massive transport capacity. One 16-car train can carry up to 1, 300 passengers, equivalent to several large aircraft or as many as ten regional jets. Furthermore, these trains can operate at intervals of just three minutes during peak times, a frequency that airplanes simply cannot match.
The availability of both systems provides travelers with genuine freedom of choice, fostering fierce competition that drives continuous service improvements. While flying remains the primary choice for longer journeys, such as Tokyo to Fukuoka, the Shinkansen serves as a vital alternative if flights are cancelled, ensuring a resilient transport network.
As a side note, Shinkansen operators are pushing even further with the Maglev. Currently under construction (initially to Nagoya, it will travel at 310 mph, reaching approximately 60% of the speed of a commercial plane.
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aikotoba99
Japanese train stations aren't really that difficult to navigate. The signs are in Japanese, English and in some cases also Mandarin and Korean. They have arrows affixed on the floor pointing you to the right destination. They are far simpler to use than those in the US and the UK, that is for certain. The major thing to remember is to STOP, take a breath, look around you first and take note of the location of the closest entrances and exits before just rushing in and exiting. Get a PASMO or SUICA card to be able to ride both the subway and the regular JR line trains and understand that you can't just ride the Shinkansen without first having an entry ticket to get in. Using an IC card such as SUICA or PASMO makes it easier than remembering to buy separate paper tickets. If you do these things, riding the trains in Japan are a breeze. If you're not sure, ask and someone will help you unlike the crappy service you get here in the USA.
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Japanese train stations aren't really that difficult to navigate. The signs are in Japanese, English and in some cases also Mandarin and Korean. They have arrows affixed on the floor pointing you to the right destination. They are far simpler to use than those in the US and the UK, that is for certain. The major thing to remember is to STOP, take a breath, look around you first and take note of the location of the closest entrances and exits before just rushing in and exiting. Get a PASMO or SUICA card to be able to ride both the subway and the regular JR line trains and understand that you can't just ride the Shinkansen without first having an entry ticket to get in. Using an IC card such as SUICA or PASMO makes it easier than remembering to buy separate paper tickets. If you do these things, riding the trains in Japan are a breeze. If you're not sure, ask and someone will help you unlike the crappy service you get here in the USA.
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MrChadbag
Between Osaka and Tokyo it’s probably lay sixes once you factor in getting to and from the airport, security, checking, and obligatory time before checking. We went by plane from Kobe to Haneda last summer and it was about the same overall time vs getting the Shinkansen. But we took the Shinkansen in December from Kobe to Yokohama and we did that because we had a lot of luggage and it was easier to deal with it on the train. Now try Fukuoka to Tokyo or Sapporo to Tokyo or vice versa: . Plane all the way. I love riding the Shinkansen and have been for 20 years every other year but have recently started taking domestic flights as well inside Japan (go SkyMark) and they’re very competitive and often less expensive and for further differences its also a lot faster and the domestic flights we’ve taken have quick security etc since each grouping of gates seem to have its own security. At least at Haneda, Kobe, and Sapporo.
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Between Osaka and Tokyo it’s probably lay sixes once you factor in getting to and from the airport, security, checking, and obligatory time before checking. We went by plane from Kobe to Haneda last summer and it was about the same overall time vs getting the Shinkansen. But we took the Shinkansen in December from Kobe to Yokohama and we did that because we had a lot of luggage and it was easier to deal with it on the train. Now try Fukuoka to Tokyo or Sapporo to Tokyo or vice versa: . Plane all the way. I love riding the Shinkansen and have been for 20 years every other year but have recently started taking domestic flights as well inside Japan (go SkyMark) and they’re very competitive and often less expensive and for further differences its also a lot faster and the domestic flights we’ve taken have quick security etc since each grouping of gates seem to have its own security. At least at Haneda, Kobe, and Sapporo.
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OldManBadly
I will say you picked sort of the best case for the train, worst case for the plane here. With no security and no other checks, the train is certainly simplier. It is also often easier to get to an in town station. Conversely, the airport adds in security and is often further away from the city or on one side, which generally means longer taxi rides. But if you took the train further away (say okayama or even a place like Hiroshima) It would likely tilt things back slightly in favor or the plane because of how fast it is moving when it is actually moving.
Certainly in Japan the train is an excellent option for almost everything, but it is a rare country that built everything based on trains, so it works perhaps better than anywhere else on the planet.
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I will say you picked sort of the best case for the train, worst case for the plane here. With no security and no other checks, the train is certainly simplier. It is also often easier to get to an in town station. Conversely, the airport adds in security and is often further away from the city or on one side, which generally means longer taxi rides. But if you took the train further away (say okayama or even a place like Hiroshima) It would likely tilt things back slightly in favor or the plane because of how fast it is moving when it is actually moving.
Certainly in Japan the train is an excellent option for almost everything, but it is a rare country that built everything based on trains, so it works perhaps better than anywhere else on the planet.
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Sacto1654
Interestingly, most people travel between Tokyo and Osaka and Tokyo and Sendai on the Shinkansen because you are essentially going from (almost) central Osaka to central Tokyo and central Tokyo to central Sendai. Longer distances like Tokyo to Okayama/Hiroshima/Kokura (Kitakyushu)/Hakata (Fukuoka) and Tokyo to Morioka/Hachinohe/Aomori/Hakodate is faster by airplane because of the sheer distance involved. (Indeed, Tokyo to Sapporo and Tokyo to Fukuoka are some of the busiest domestic flights in the world)
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Interestingly, most people travel between Tokyo and Osaka and Tokyo and Sendai on the Shinkansen because you are essentially going from (almost) central Osaka to central Tokyo and central Tokyo to central Sendai. Longer distances like Tokyo to Okayama/Hiroshima/Kokura (Kitakyushu)/Hakata (Fukuoka) and Tokyo to Morioka/Hachinohe/Aomori/Hakodate is faster by airplane because of the sheer distance involved. (Indeed, Tokyo to Sapporo and Tokyo to Fukuoka are some of the busiest domestic flights in the world)
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flyingsebi8986
Same thing In France where the TGV is actually much faster than the bullet train.
Paris centre to marseilles centre.
Plane, Taxi to CDG or ORY: 45 m
Check in 45 m before boarding
Taxi after another 15m. Taxi time 10 m
Flight 1h00
Time to exit and recover bag: 45 m
taxi to town: 45 m
Total time: 4h20 minimum
Train:
Taxi to train station 20m
check in 15m before departure
Journey time 3h00
taxi to city center 10m
Total time: 3h45
No contest.
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Same thing In France where the TGV is actually much faster than the bullet train.
Paris centre to marseilles centre.
Plane, Taxi to CDG or ORY: 45 m
Check in 45 m before boarding
Taxi after another 15m. Taxi time 10 m
Flight 1h00
Time to exit and recover bag: 45 m
taxi to town: 45 m
Total time: 4h20 minimum
Train:
Taxi to train station 20m
check in 15m before departure
Journey time 3h00
taxi to city center 10m
Total time: 3h45
No contest.
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heatherp8584
I wonder what the cost of each journey was, including the taxi fare
It doesn't seem a fair comparison. There would be 'wasted' time because of the length of time between Noel's departure from the Running Man and the expected departure time of the flight.
It would have been good to have seen another vlogger take the plane and Noel taking the train and meet up at Osaka, both leaving the hotel at the same time.
Loved the video. Keep them coming.
No graffiti
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I wonder what the cost of each journey was, including the taxi fare
It doesn't seem a fair comparison. There would be 'wasted' time because of the length of time between Noel's departure from the Running Man and the expected departure time of the flight.
It would have been good to have seen another vlogger take the plane and Noel taking the train and meet up at Osaka, both leaving the hotel at the same time.
Loved the video. Keep them coming.
No graffiti
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jamesrichardson476
We went to Japan last year and did several journeys on the Shinkansen network, in a bullet train. It was an incredible experience, and I'd recommend it over flying, even if it had taken longer.
We did a Running Man boat trip along the canal, which was bonkers. Our guide was a middle aged woman yelling hysterically into a microphone, to try and encourage us to do various asinine things. I cherish memories like that: D
Japan is incredible.
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We went to Japan last year and did several journeys on the Shinkansen network, in a bullet train. It was an incredible experience, and I'd recommend it over flying, even if it had taken longer.
We did a Running Man boat trip along the canal, which was bonkers. Our guide was a middle aged woman yelling hysterically into a microphone, to try and encourage us to do various asinine things. I cherish memories like that: D
Japan is incredible.
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chriscondon6426
Noel, just read today that airlines are going to fine people for booking a layover flight and not going to the final destination. Say you book a flight from New York to Denver with a layover in Chicago. Then you get to Chicago and dont go to Denver. Doing this saves you money than if you booked a flight from new york to Chicago. How do you feel about that I think they dont like being outsmarted.
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Noel, just read today that airlines are going to fine people for booking a layover flight and not going to the final destination. Say you book a flight from New York to Denver with a layover in Chicago. Then you get to Chicago and dont go to Denver. Doing this saves you money than if you booked a flight from new york to Chicago. How do you feel about that I think they dont like being outsmarted.
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mikecondon9576
Interesting comparison and very topical in Australia at present.
I like your productions generally but this one has given me a better insight of what is possible using this rail technology versus the airline solution over the ideal distance for the train.
I took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto return and like you managed a splendid view of Mount Fuji.
Keep making great productions!
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Interesting comparison and very topical in Australia at present.
I like your productions generally but this one has given me a better insight of what is possible using this rail technology versus the airline solution over the ideal distance for the train.
I took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto return and like you managed a splendid view of Mount Fuji.
Keep making great productions!
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noel_philips
I stayed at the Conrad last May, amazing hotel, but the multi-lift problem is real! It's perhaps not the best location for touring Tokyo, but not bad as the train system is great. The only time I used taxi's was when I missed the last train!
Also worth noting that there is a station really close to take you to Haneda really quickly.
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I stayed at the Conrad last May, amazing hotel, but the multi-lift problem is real! It's perhaps not the best location for touring Tokyo, but not bad as the train system is great. The only time I used taxi's was when I missed the last train!
Also worth noting that there is a station really close to take you to Haneda really quickly.
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yorgunsamuray
To be fair, for the plane there was a delay so if you deduce that part you could still have overtaken the train with the plane. Though the extra check-in and security procedures make the train a less stressful choice. Even more so in Japan. And as there's a good train service in both Tokyo and Osaka, I wouldn't rely that much on taxis.
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To be fair, for the plane there was a delay so if you deduce that part you could still have overtaken the train with the plane. Though the extra check-in and security procedures make the train a less stressful choice. Even more so in Japan. And as there's a good train service in both Tokyo and Osaka, I wouldn't rely that much on taxis.
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MrBetaKiller100
Hahaha the ending top gear reference. 10/10 video, I'm going with my friends next month and I was joking with them about doing this challenege except Tokyo to Hiroshima. The plane/train argument is even more complicated there because the Airport is so far out of Hiroshima, but it's much farther so the plane picks up a bunch of time.
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Hahaha the ending top gear reference. 10/10 video, I'm going with my friends next month and I was joking with them about doing this challenege except Tokyo to Hiroshima. The plane/train argument is even more complicated there because the Airport is so far out of Hiroshima, but it's much farther so the plane picks up a bunch of time.
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mercierfromCDMX
Why are you so stubborn and keeps talking in miles I bet a lot of audience is not even from USA (like me) and doesn't have any ideas of how much is 300 miles. If you can't be more inteligent that that and make sure we can understand, I'll stop following you; it does not worth it. At least, you could tell both like Jeb does.
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Why are you so stubborn and keeps talking in miles I bet a lot of audience is not even from USA (like me) and doesn't have any ideas of how much is 300 miles. If you can't be more inteligent that that and make sure we can understand, I'll stop following you; it does not worth it. At least, you could tell both like Jeb does.
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magicsheepmom778
Green class on the shinkansen is like premium economy or business class. If you book standard class instead, there's a bit less room (3x2 instead of 2x2 rows) and you cannot order food on the app. Bring food and drinks with you. I prefer that anyways, because there are some amazing bento boxes for sale at the stations.
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Green class on the shinkansen is like premium economy or business class. If you book standard class instead, there's a bit less room (3x2 instead of 2x2 rows) and you cannot order food on the app. Bring food and drinks with you. I prefer that anyways, because there are some amazing bento boxes for sale at the stations.
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noel_philips
The problem with planes is that they are frequently delayed.
I once had a plane from Tokyo to Fukuoka delayed for 4 hours, so taking a train to Fukuoka would've been quicker. I also had once where the plane was delayed from Hakodate to Sapporo, so taking the limited express train would've been faster than flight too.
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The problem with planes is that they are frequently delayed.
I once had a plane from Tokyo to Fukuoka delayed for 4 hours, so taking a train to Fukuoka would've been quicker. I also had once where the plane was delayed from Hakodate to Sapporo, so taking the limited express train would've been faster than flight too.
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EasternCapeBeauty
Takoyaki is a popular Japanese street food, originating from Osaka in the 1930s, consisting of savory, bite-sized fried dough balls filled with diced octopus (tako, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion. They are cooked in a special molded pan, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft, molten interior.
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Takoyaki is a popular Japanese street food, originating from Osaka in the 1930s, consisting of savory, bite-sized fried dough balls filled with diced octopus (tako, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion. They are cooked in a special molded pan, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft, molten interior.
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siobhanmurphy6301
I know you were in a rush to get off the plane, I’m surprised the Japanese passengers on the 787 didn’t get annoyed with you when you just got and barged up the aisle not waiting for your turn to deplane like an uncultured foreign American with the other passengers still waiting their turn to get off.
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I know you were in a rush to get off the plane, I’m surprised the Japanese passengers on the 787 didn’t get annoyed with you when you just got and barged up the aisle not waiting for your turn to deplane like an uncultured foreign American with the other passengers still waiting their turn to get off.
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noel_philips
For those excited about wide bodies over short distances - I had an a350 for a run between SGN and Cam Ranh in Vietnam - 20 min flying time. A side note about check in times for domestic flights in Japan - it’s not uncommon to show up 20 minutes before your flight, especially smaller airports like Okayama.
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For those excited about wide bodies over short distances - I had an a350 for a run between SGN and Cam Ranh in Vietnam - 20 min flying time. A side note about check in times for domestic flights in Japan - it’s not uncommon to show up 20 minutes before your flight, especially smaller airports like Okayama.
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OssWiX
Those moving things on top of your takoyaki, grilled octopus balls, are bonito flakes. It's thinly sliced dried fish, usually tuna. It's so thin that they move just by the heat of the fresh takoyaki. It's got a concentrated umami flavour, bonito is an essential ingredient in many stocks in Japanese cuisine.
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Those moving things on top of your takoyaki, grilled octopus balls, are bonito flakes. It's thinly sliced dried fish, usually tuna. It's so thin that they move just by the heat of the fresh takoyaki. It's got a concentrated umami flavour, bonito is an essential ingredient in many stocks in Japanese cuisine.
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