How to Buy Shinkansen Tickets
Buying Shinkansen tickets in Japan is easier than it looks. We've broken down every method—from speaking with station staff to buying the cheapest online tickets from your hotel room.
Counters, Ticket Machines, and Smart EX
Quick Answer:
• Required Tickets → Base Fare Ticket AND Express Ticket
• Best booking method → Smart EX (App)
• Tickets go on sale → 1 month before departure at 10:00 AM
1. Understanding Ticket Types
To legally ride the Shinkansen, you must simultaneously possess two separate fares: a Base Fare Ticket and an Express Ticket. It is highly advised to just purchase them together.
| Ticket Name | What it does |
|---|---|
| Base Fare Ticket | The standard distance boarding fee to get from City A to City B. |
| Reserved Express Ticket | The surcharge required to ride the high-speed Shinkansen. It guarantees you a specific seat. |
| Unreserved Express Ticket | The surcharge to ride the Shinkansen without an assigned seat. Usually ~¥530 cheaper than reserved. |
| Green Car Ticket | Required if you wish to ride in the luxurious first-class Green Car. |
2. Ticket Counters (Midori no Madoguchi)
These are the physical, green-signed JR ticketing counters found in major stations. You talk directly with a JR staff member, tell them your destination, and they print the tickets for you.
Pros & Cons
- Staff often speak English/Chinese/Korean or utilize translation devices.
- Excellent for resolving complicated itineraries or discount passes.
- Accepts cash and credit cards.
- Lines can be brutal, sometimes exceeding 30 to 45 minutes of wait time.
The Japan Rail Pass
If you possess the physical exchange voucher for a Japan Rail Pass, you must visit these counters to activate it into a physical ticket. You can also book Shinkansen seat reservations here for free with your active pass.
3. Ticket Machines
These are touch-panel ticket vending machines located near Shinkansen gates. They feature full English language support.
How to purchase
- Press “English” at the top right of the screen.
- Select “Shinkansen / Limited Express Tickets”.
- Input your departure station, destination, date, time, and passenger count.
- Select your preferred train and pick your exact seat from the digital map.
- Pay with Cash or Credit Card.
- Grab the printed tickets.
You also print online tickets here
If you bought tickets online without assigning them to an IC card, you can use these machines to quickly print them out by inserting your booking code and credit card.
4. Smart EX (App Booking)
The official online reservation app for the Tokaido / Sanyo Shinkansen (Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka/Hiroshima).
Key Benefits
- Membership gets you around a ¥200 discount on standard fares.
- You can link a digital IC Card (Suica/PASMO) to your phone and ride entirely ticketless.
- Offers massive 21-day massive “Early Bird” discount plans.
- You can change your train times for free online before departure.
| Smart EX | EX Reservation | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | Free | ¥1,100 / Year |
| Discount | Small base discounts / Huge Early Bird | Excellent year-round discounts |
| Best for | Tourists & Occasional travelers | Frequent business travelers |
5. Eki-Net (For Northern Japan)
This is the official JR East online booking service used for the Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku, and Hokkaido Shinkansen lines.
Key Benefits
- Provides massive discounts (up to 30%-50%) if booked 14 or 21 days early.
- Supports ticketless riding via IC cards.
- Mandatory service if you are planning to travel north toward Sendai, Aomori, Niigata, or Kanazawa.
6. Booking Method Comparison
| Method | Area Covered | Potential Discounts | Ticketless? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ticket Counter | All Japan | None | No |
| Ticket Machine | All Japan | None | No |
| Smart EX | Tokyo to far West | Up to 50% (Early Bird) | Yes |
| Eki-Net | Tokyo to far North | Up to 50% (Early Bird) | Yes |
7. FAQ
- Q How early can I buy a Shinkansen ticket?
- A Standard ticket sales open at exactly 10:00 AM, one month prior to your departure date.
- Q Can I buy a ticket on the exact day I want to travel?
- A Yes, you can buy tickets right up to departure at the counters or machines. However, trains may be entirely sold out during major holidays (Golden Week, Obon, New Years).
- Q What are the fares for children?
- A Children aged 6 to 11 are generally charged half the adult fare. Toddlers (under 6) can ride for free, provided they sit on an adult's lap and do not occupy their own reserved seat.