Nozomi, Hikari or Kodama: which to take
Three train names stand between you and Kyoto, and you are tired from the flight.
Itineraries by region
Arrive in Tokyo, leave from Osaka
You want to see Tokyo and Kansai without a day spent travelling back to where you started.
An open-jaw ticket lets you land in Tokyo and fly home from Osaka, so you do not lose a day returning to Tokyo. It suits a one-way route through Tokyo and Kansai, and it is worth pricing against a return fare. This page is a starter brief for Malaysian flights.
What is an open-jaw ticket?
It is a return ticket with different arrival and departure airports. Our open-jaw glossary entry explains the basics. You then travel between the two cities on the ground, usually by shinkansen.
Why does it help on a Tokyo and Osaka route?
A return ticket forces you back to the first airport, which wastes a day or adds a domestic flight. With open-jaw you end the trip at the airport closest to your last stop. The fastest Nozomi takes 2 hours 21 minutes 1, but you still need to carry bags and move hotels, so the saving is the return leg, not the ride itself.
If you are comparing rail and flight, see Tokyo to Osaka by rail or domestic flight and which shinkansen to take.
What should you compare before you book?
- The open-jaw fare against a return fare for the same dates.
- Your arrival time. A late landing changes which airport suits the first night.
- Tokyo’s airports. There are two, Haneda and Narita, with different rail links 2.
- The Osaka departure. Kansai Airport to Namba takes about 34 minutes at the fastest 3, so allow time for the check-in.
Our flight gateways data page pairs each airport with a first-night base.
When is open-jaw not the best choice?
If you stay in one city, a return ticket is simpler. If you plan to add a third region, such as Hokkaido, a different routing may save more. Read the reverse routing, tour ends in Osaka and flight leaves Tokyo for that case.
What should you send us?
Send your Malaysian departure airport, your date range, the number of travellers and which city you prefer to start in. We outline the routing and the questions to put to the airline. For more on the time between cities, read Tokyo and Kansai without losing transit time.
If you are weighing an open-jaw ticket, send your Malaysian departure airport, dates and the two cities. We will outline the routing and what to ask the airline.
Keep planning
Tokyo, planned around your family
Tokyo is big, fast and a little overwhelming, and you want it to feel easy.
Tokyo and Kansai without losing time
You want both regions, and you are afraid half the trip will vanish on trains.
Tour ends in Osaka but flight leaves Tokyo
Your tour finishes in Osaka and your flight home leaves from Tokyo, and the gap worries you.
Japan flight gateways from Malaysia
You are looking at flights and unsure which Japanese airport should be your first stop.
Open-jaw flights
You would rather not walk the same route back to the airport you flew into.
Questions travellers ask
Is an open-jaw ticket more expensive?
Not always. It can cost more, the same or less than a return to one city, depending on the airline, season and demand. Compare both options for your dates. If the open-jaw price is close, the day saved from not backtracking is often worth it.
Which direction is better, Tokyo to Osaka or the reverse?
Either works. Start in Tokyo if you want to settle into Japan in a big city first, and end in Osaka for an easy airport ride. Start in Osaka if your flight lands there more conveniently. The better direction depends on your flight times and what you want for your last night.
Will I need to ship my bags between cities?
Usually not, since you carry them on the shinkansen. But if you have large cases, luggage forwarding between hotels is available and makes the transfer lighter. Ask us if you travel with elders or children, so you can arrive at the station with only a day bag.
Sources
Figures are checked against these sources and dated so you can see how current they are.
- JR Central Annual Report 2025accessed 2026-10-20
- JNTO, Tokyoaccessed 2026-10-20
- Nankai Electric Railwayaccessed 2026-10-20
Ready to shape your Japan trip?
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you hope to see. We will reply with ideas and a tailored quote.