[lj3]

It's $130 one way. Surely, people don't use that to commute on a daily basis? A round trip flight is faster and cheaper ($80-$300 vs $260).

[jaredklewis]

Having done both, I'd say door to door total travel time of Tokyo -> Osaka is shorter by train. But I like to get to airports two hours early to deal with security non sense. YMMV.

Also, a standard Shinkansen seat is far more spacious and comfortable than any economy plane seat.