14Views 0Comments
How To Use the “Platt Kodama” Pass To Save on the Bullet Train
Everyone talks about the speedy Nozomi Shinkansen as if it’s the only way to cross Japan: a silver blur that gobbles up the hours between Tokyo and Osaka, faster than your coffee can cool. But on the same gleaming tracks, unhurried and priced right for those willing to take their time, is the Kodama — handily bundled into the Platt (Puratto) Kodama discount travel package, which can save you ¥3,000 to ¥7,000 one way.
The Kodama bullet train — an older, slower model — stops at every station, letting you admire views of everything from skyscrapers and shipping ports to farmland and forest. And in exchange for your patience, it hands you a subsidized seat, a drink coupon to quench your thirst, and the smug satisfaction of knowing you got a good deal.
What is the Platt Kodama bullet-train package?
The Platt Kodama is a discounted travel package provided by JR Central Tours. It includes:
Navigate Japan Like a Local [Never Get Lost]
Navigate Japan’s transportation as the locals do! Using Sim Local’s eSIM on AU’s network. Access real-time maps and train schedules instantly — Get 5G Speed internet connection like a local, forget roaming fees, and explore seamlessly. Use code CHEAPO10 and save money! …
- A reserved seat on the Kodama Shinkansen (bullet train) between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations, and various routes in between.
- A voucher for a drink worth up to ¥320, including soft drinks and alcoholic drinks (valid for 8 days from the day of boarding).
What’s the catch? Unlike the faster Nozomi and Hikari trains, the Kodama stops at every station along the route, so it’s slower. The journey from Tokyo to Osaka takes about four hours from end to end. That’s about 90 minutes longer.
But the price cut can be significant — enough to put towards a nice meal or fancy omiyage for folks back home, in some cases. You can easily save ¥3,000–¥7,000.
What does “Platt” even mean?
The “Platt” in Platt Kodama has nothing to do with platforms (of which you’ll see a lot). It comes from the Japanese expression puratto, meaning “casually” or “on a whim”.
The idea is that the package lets you embark on a relaxed, spur-of-the-moment trip — sort of, you do need to book at least a day in advance. More on that below.
Routes and costs
With the Platt Kodama, you can ride between the following city pairs.
Note that the prices below are for a one-way Ordinary Car seat. Green Car (Business Class) seats are available for a bit extra (add ¥900, or ¥1,250 for Tokyo to Shin-Osaka) — and still much cheaper than normal.
- Tokyo ↔ Kyoto – from ¥10,700
- Tokyo ↔ Shin-Osaka – from ¥11,110
- Tokyo ↔ Nagoya – from ¥8,710
- Tokyo ↔ Shizuoka – from ¥5,230
- Nagoya ↔ Kyoto – from ¥4,800
- Nagoya ↔ Shin-Osaka – from ¥5,400
We have a full fare breakdown below — just scroll a little bit further.
Conditions
There are, however, a few caveats you’ll want to keep in mind:
- The prices are dynamic. In other words, on weekends and during other busy times as designated by JR (usually before or after public holidays), prices may be a few hundred yen higher.
- Some dates are totally off-limits. The package is not valid during Golden Week, Obon or the New Year holiday.
- You can start or end your trip at Tokyo/Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Nagoya, Kyoto, or Shin-Osaka, but there’s no deal for ultra-short hops like Tokyo ↔ Shin-Yokohama, Shizuoka ↔ Hamamatsu, or Kyoto ↔ Shin-Osaka.
How much can you save?
A regular Nozomi reserved seat from Tokyo to Nagoya costs ¥11,300, while the same journey on Platt Kodama starts from ¥8,710.
Shibuya Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya Annex – 55% off!
Enjoy a 1 Hour karting experience on the city roads of Tokyo, with up to 55% discount this month!
Feel like a celebrity as this course will take you through the famous Shibuya Crossing more than once.
And if you’re heading further west, the discounts get even better: Tokyo to Kyoto in an ordinary reserved seat is ¥13,850 on Nozomi, but only ¥10,500 on Platt Kodama — a tidy saving of ¥3,350.
In the Green Car, the gap is even bigger — over ¥7,000 in savings — plus that sweet, sweet beverage voucher to sponsor the day-drinking.
Here’s how Platt Kodama stacks up on some popular routes.
| Route | Class | Nozomi Fare | Time (Nozomi) | Platt Kodama Fare | Time (Kodama) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo ↔ Kyoto | Ordinary | ¥13,850 | 2h 15m | ¥10,500 | 3h 40m | ¥3,350 |
| Tokyo ↔ Kyoto | Green Car | ¥19,120 | 2h 15m | ¥12,020 | 3h 40m | ¥7,100 |
| Tokyo ↔ Shin-Osaka | Ordinary | ¥14,650 | 2h 30m | ¥11,100 | 4h 0m | ¥3,550 |
| Tokyo ↔ Shin-Osaka | Green Car | ¥20,020 | 2h 30m | ¥12,360 | 4h 0m | ¥7,660 |
| Tokyo ↔ Nagoya | Ordinary | ¥11,300 | 1h 40m | ¥8,710 | 2h 40m | ¥2,590 |
| Tokyo ↔ Nagoya | Green Car | ¥14,960 | 1h 40m | ¥9,610 | 2h 40m | ¥5,350 |
Note that the prices above are for departures from Monday to Thursday during off-peak times (updated as of October 2025). Depending on the specific days you choose to travel, you may have to pay a bit more.
Where and when can you buy Platt Kodama tickets?
Reserve tickets for the Platt Kodama online
Shibuya Official Street Go-Kart – book now, likely to sell out!
Enjoy a 1 Hour karting experience on the city roads of Tokyo, with up to 55% discount this month!
Feel like a celebrity as this course will take you through the famous Shibuya Crossing more than once.
You can’t buy Platt Kodama tickets at station ticket machines or JR ticket offices. Instead, Platt Kodama tickets are only available online through JR Central Tours.
You must book at least one day in advance, and sales open one month before your travel date.
Seats are limited, particularly Green Car seats, so it’s worth locking yours in early during busy periods. This is especially true if you have oversized luggage or if there are major seasonal events taking place.
My experience
For reference, I booked my tickets 10 days in advance for a trip from Tokyo to Nagoya, scheduled to take place in late August soon after the busy Obon season. There were still plenty of seats available, both Ordinary and Green Car, but this may have had something to do with the bright and early departure time.
The return trip, too, had plenty of seats available at the time of booking.
However, the cars filled up considerably at Atami Station on the return trip from Nagoya to Tokyo, thanks to the Atami Marine Sea Fireworks Festival.
Even the Green Car was lively and full — proof that it’s worth keeping an eye on our Tokyo events calendar and Japan events listings to avoid surprises when you travel.
How to buy Platt Kodama tickets
As mentioned, Platt Kodama tickets can only be purchased online. To do so, you’ll need to either use the SmartEx website or download the SmartEX app.
The app
The SmartEX app seems to be polarizing. Some reviews reference issues with customer service, rates, and international cards, while others rave about the convenience. It’s worth noting that the app is currently only available in a select number of countries and territories.
I opted to use the website — a bigger screen for a big(ish) purchase — and found it relatively simple to use, if slightly time-consuming and finicky at times.
Whether you use the app or website, you’ll have to create an account and register a payment method before you can make a reservation.
Guide to purchasing Platt Kodama
Follow this step-by-step guide to purchase a one-way Platt Kodama ticket:
- Head to the SmartEX website (or app).
- Create an account. Fill out your details and register a valid payment method. (For reference, I tried using two different international debit cards, and both worked without a hitch.)
- With your registration complete, select the route you’d like to travel, dates, and number of people. You’ll be prompted to select the train car and seat of your choice, including seats with oversized baggage.
- Purchase the ticket. The screen will refresh a couple of times — don’t worry, it’s not glitching — then confirm your reservation.
- Check your email for your reservation details. You will also be able to view your booking upon logging in.
A note on Shinkansen day-trip packages
When purchasing Platt Kodama tickets, you may also notice Shinkansen day-trip packages. These are sold by JR Central Tours as round-trip bundles with pre-set outbound and return times. You can adjust those times by paying an additional fee, and the packages even let you ride faster Nozomi or Hikari trains with a surcharge.
These might look like a natural alternative to Platt Kodama, but in truth, this is a completely different product.
Day-trip packages are technically tour plans, not discounted tickets, and they almost always cost more than simply buying two Platt Kodama one-way tickets.
When they make sense:
- You’re a business traveller with a fixed meeting in Kyoto or Osaka and want a one-click round-trip option with practical departure and return times.
- You’re booking for family members or visitors who value simplicity.
- You don’t want to think about separate bookings and like the bonus shopping voucher (worth ¥1,000) included in the plan.
When to skip them:
How to ride the Kodama
Booking is one thing, but the process of actually riding the Kodama can feel a little confusing if you’ve never done it before. Generally, the process looks like riding any other bullet train.
Tickets
When you book the ticket online, you will have the option to use a QR code (that’s what I did) and register your booking onto your IC card (if you have a Suica).
At the turnstiles, simply scan your QR code.
Pro tip: It’s a good idea to keep the website landing page handy or save the QR code ticket to your phone beforehand if you can — even if you’ve designated an IC card to use.
How early should you arrive at the station?
Arriving about 30 minutes before the departure time is generally sufficient for any bullet-train ride. But if you’re unfamiliar with the station layout and/or traveling during popular times, you might consider giving yourself more wiggle room. You can always grab a coffee or ekiben if you end up with extra time.
Note, however, that the Platt Kodama, specifically, does not allow you to reschedule your train time.
Also, if you plan to redeem your drink voucher before your ride, anticipate queues. Give yourself a bit of a buffer so you’re not having to do a mad dash at the last moment.
Using the Platt Kodama drink voucher
In theory, you could redeem the drink voucher any time you like within the validity period (8 days).
However, in practice, only a limited number of kiosks accept the voucher. These are located within the station and on platforms. So, before your ride is probably the best time. The lines, though fast-moving, can get long, so allow 10 minutes or more.
At Tokyo Station, I went to Plusta, which was right on the platform, while at Nagoya Station, I found that Delica Station in the waiting room accepted the voucher. Both offer the standard selection of convenience-store drinks, from coffees and teas to beer and other alcoholic beverages.
Here’s how to redeem the drink voucher:
- Select your drink and queue.
- This next step should happen before you’re actually at the register, because it may take a few minutes: log in to your account. After entering your user ID and password, you’ll be prompted to receive a one-time password to get your booking information.
- Once you’ve successfully logged in, navigate to your booking information.
- Scroll down to view the details. You should see a button saying “1 drink e-voucher”. Select this, and you’ll be taken to a screen with some pictures of drinks.
- Select the red button that says “tap” at the top of the screen.
- At the register, utter the magic words: “Platt Kodama”.
- The staff will produce a laminated sheet with a QR code.
- Scan it, and the voucher will be duly marked “used”.
That’s it! Now find your car, settle in, and sip slowly. It’s a leisurely ride ahead.
Tips
Here’s a few more tried-and-true tips to make the most of the Platt Kodama.
- Ordinary seats are comfortable, clean, and have everything you need. Upgrading to Green Car, though, is worth it for the wider seats, reclining capacity, and personal charging ports and tray tables. You can also, as far as we could tell, order food and beverages by scanning the QR code tucked into the seat pocket.
- There is free Wi-Fi on the train. Just make sure you can receive the registration email and access the link, or log in using a Facebook or X account. When we rode the Green Car we didn’t need to register, but each session only lasted 30 minutes, which necessitated reconnecting multiple times during the ride.
- There are a few shelves to stow bags, which can be used freely for an ongoing trial period (since July 1, 2025). On our early train out from Tokyo, these were empty. But if your bags are on the larger side, you’ll still need to reserve the appropriate seat. See here for more info.
- The ride may feel longer if you’ve grown accustomed to whizzing off on the Nozomi, but it still goes by quick. There are some scenic spots worth pausing your doomscrolling for. In particular, the stretch from Atami to Kakegawa stations is stunning: all dense greenery and coastal hamlets.
Is the Platt Kodama worth it?
Overall, yes. However, you’ll need to consider your specific itinerary and see if it makes sense for you.
The Kodama takes its time. So, if you don’t mind a slower ride — or even relish the chance to look out the window, finish your podcast, and nurse that free drink — the Platt Kodama package is a bit of a gem. You’ll save a sizeable chunk of change — even more if you spring for the Green Car, which we recommend.
Frequently asked questions about the Platt Kodama
What is Platt Kodama?
The Platt Kodama is a travel package that includes discounted bullet-train tickets and a drink voucher.
Is Platt Kodama cheaper than Nozomi?
Yes, sometimes significantly. You can save thousands of yen, and it’s especially worth it to experience the Green Car for less.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. All prices should be considered estimates.
