Japan
ChinaTokyo to Shanghai shipping route.
1,042 nautical miles direct, about 3.1 days of steaming at 14 knots.
Sea Distance Between Ports: Tokyo and Shanghai
Port to Port Distance on the map, along real shipping lanes.
TokyoSeaShanghaiShipping time from Tokyo to Shanghai
| Route | Distance | 12 kn | 14 kn | 18 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| direct (shortest) | 1,042 nm | 3.6 d | 3.1 d | 2.4 d |
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Live numbers for this lane from Navo apps, updated 2026-10-31.
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About the Tokyo to Shanghai shipping route
Tokyo to Shanghai is a 1,042 nautical mile shipping route on a direct course, heading west from Japan to China. That is 1,930 km of water against 1,757 km as the crow flies. No canals or major straits on this leg, the ship stays close to the direct line.
At sea, the voyage lasts 3.6 days at 12 knots, 3.1 days at 14 knots and 2.4 days at 18 knots. Liner schedules on the lane quote 2 to 4 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 28 sailings by 2 carriers (COSCO and Maersk).
Recent freight rates for JPTYO to CNSHA start at $460 for a 20GP and $890 for a 40GP. These are spot market prices from carriers that sail the lane; your quote will also include terminal handling, documentation and any bunker surcharge. At Shanghai (CNSHA) carriers give about 6 free days before demurrage and detention charges start, so plan the truck or rail pickup before the box lands.
Of the 64 port to port routes from Tokyo in this directory, Shanghai is the 2nd shortest. Closer destinations include Busan (669 nm).
FAQ
How many nautical miles from Tokyo to Shanghai?
The port to port distance from Tokyo to Shanghai is 1,042 nautical miles (1,930 km), direct.
What is the shipping time from Tokyo to Shanghai?
About 3.1 days at 14 knots and 2.4 days at 18 knots of steaming, without port calls. Scheduled liner services on this lane quote 2 to 4 days.
What are freight rates from Tokyo to Shanghai?
Recent spot rates for JPTYO to CNSHA start at $460 per 20GP and $890 per 40GP, before local charges. Rates change weekly.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Shanghai to Tokyo has its own page with the same distance and route.
More port to port distance
- Tokyo to
Busan669 nm - Tokyo to Incheon1,067 nm
- Tokyo to Ningbo1,075 nm
- Tokyo to Qingdao1,113 nm
- Tokyo to Dalian1,176 nm
- Tokyo to Xiamen1,347 nm
- Qingdao to Shanghai410 nm
- Busan to Shanghai469 nm
- Incheon to Shanghai538 nm
- Dalian to Shanghai553 nm
- Xiamen to Shanghai589 nm
Kaohsiung to Shanghai635 nm
How we count: sea routes follow shipping lanes and canals, time is pure steaming at 14 knots without port calls. Engine navo-distance-time 0.3.0. See all sea distance between ports or the Shipping Routes Directory.