The shinkansen is not equivalent to business class travel. Flights between Tokyo and Osaka cost roughly half of a shinkansen ticket, but that doesn't include tr

The shinkansen is not equivalent to business class travel. Flights between Tokyo and Osaka cost roughly half of a shinkansen ticket, but that doesn't include transport to and from the airport. It also takes way more time to fly, including transit time to and from the airports. The average person is willing to spend an extra 10000 yen to save 2-3 hours and the hassle of a flight. Funnily enough, the business travelers I know in Japan actually take the plane, because it's cheaper for the company and they can keep the miles.