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When travelling to Japan, it is often a concern for tourists whether they should buy Shinkansen tickets in advance or on the day of travel. This is a valid concern, especially during busy seasons such as New Year or cherry blossom season. While some travellers have been able to buy tickets at the station on the day of travel, others have faced sold-out trains and have had to opt for a different time. Tickets can be purchased at the JR West ticket machines at Kansai Airport, which is connected to the airport terminal building. Tickets can also be purchased online in advance through third-party sites or authorised sellers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I buy Shinkansen tickets at Kansai Airport? | Yes, you can buy Shinkansen tickets at Kansai Airport. |
| Where to buy | You can buy tickets at the JR KIX ticket office or from JR West ticket machines at the airport. |
| Online purchase | It is not possible to buy Shinkansen tickets online. However, you can buy a voucher from an authorized seller and exchange it for a pass at Kansai Airport. |
| Buying in advance | It is not necessary to buy tickets in advance, but it is recommended during busy periods such as New Year or cherry blossom season. |
| Discounts | Discounted tickets are available for purchase at the JR Kansai-Airport Station Ticket Office. |
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What You'll Learn
Buying Shinkansen tickets at Kansai Airport in advance
Yes, you can buy Shinkansen tickets at Kansai Airport in advance. The Kansai Airport Station is directly connected to the 2nd floor of the Terminal 1 Building and the 2nd floor of the Aeroplaza Building.
You can buy Shinkansen tickets at the JR West ticket machines or the JR Kansai-Airport Station Ticket Office. The ticket office is open from 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. However, it is known to usually have long lines. The ticket vending machines allow you to skip the lines and purchase tickets without having to go to the ticket office. You can also use these machines to search for specific stations before purchasing your tickets.
If you are looking to buy tickets in advance of your arrival at Kansai Airport, you can do so through a third-party website or travel agency. You can buy a voucher through an authorized seller and exchange it for an actual Shinkansen pass at Kansai Airport. You can also buy a JR Pass coupon outside of Japan and exchange it for the actual pass when you arrive at Kansai Airport.
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Purchasing Shinkansen tickets from a vending machine at Kansai Airport
To purchase your Shinkansen ticket from a vending machine, follow these steps:
- Look for a "Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machine."
- Choose between a "Reserved Seat" and a "Non-Reserved Seat." If you select a reserved seat, press "For seat reservation on Shinkansen."
- Select the Shinkansen line you want to use. There are three Shinkansen line regions: "Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu," "Tohoku/Yamagata/Akita/Hokkaido," and "Joetsu/Hokuriku." For example, if you're travelling to Osaka, choose the "Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu" line and select "Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station)" as your destination.
- Make your payment using cash or credit card. If you're using a credit card, you'll need to enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN).
- Collect your ticket from the machine.
Remember that to ride the Shinkansen, you'll need two tickets: a base fare ticket to enter the station gates and a Shinkansen limited express ticket for accessing the Shinkansen train. You can purchase both of these tickets from the vending machine. Additionally, if you have already booked your ticket online, you can pick it up from the vending machine using your pickup code and login password.
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Buying tickets at the JR Kyoto Station ticket office
JR Kyoto Station is a large train station with a dedicated Shinkansen ticket office. Here is a step-by-step guide to buying tickets at the JR Kyoto Station ticket office:
- Locate the Shinkansen ticket office: In larger train stations like JR Kyoto Station, there are dedicated Shinkansen ticket offices. These are usually located near the Shinkansen ticket gates.
- Decide on your seat preference: There are two classes of carriages on Shinkansen trains: Ordinary and Green Cars. Ordinary Cars offer comfortable seating, while Green Cars provide larger seats with more legroom, quiet, and comfort. Naturally, tickets for Green Cars are pricier and must be reserved in advance.
- Purchase your tickets: When buying Shinkansen tickets at the ticket office, you will need to provide the following information:
- Train name (e.g., Hikari, Kodama, Nozomi, or Mizuho)
- Destination station
- Preferred seating (reserved or non-reserved)
- Travel date and time
- Number of tickets
Receive your tickets: After purchasing your tickets, you will typically receive three cards:
- Basic fare ticket ("Joshaken"): This allows you to pass through regular JR ticket gates.
- Super express ticket ("Tokkyuken"): You will need both this ticket and the basic fare ticket to pass through the Shinkansen gates.
- Receipt: The third card may resemble a ticket, but it is actually your receipt.
Keep your tickets safe: Be sure to keep all your tickets securely as you will need to show them to the conductor on the train.
Additionally, it is worth noting that JR Kyoto Station also has ticket vending machines that offer the convenience of purchasing Shinkansen tickets without waiting in line at the ticket office. These machines are typically located inside or next to the ticket office and provide services in multiple languages, including English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. Credit cards are widely accepted at ticket offices, but some vending machines may not accept foreign credit cards.
Therefore, while buying tickets at the JR Kyoto Station ticket office is a straightforward process, it is recommended to allow adequate time, especially during busy travel periods, as there can be long lines at the office.
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Buying tickets online before arriving in Japan
When it comes to buying Shinkansen tickets online before arriving in Japan, there are several options available. Firstly, you can purchase tickets through the official JR Pass website. This option allows you to buy tickets up to one month in advance if you have purchased your JR Pass directly from them. Alternatively, you can use third-party websites like Klook or Rakuten Travel Experiences, which offer greater flexibility by allowing you to buy tickets further in advance and lock in your travel plans. These websites also provide the convenience of linking your IC card. Remember that Shinkansen tickets are typically only available for purchase one month in advance, with some exceptions during limited-time campaigns.
When buying tickets online, it is essential to know specific details about your intended journey. This includes not just the date and time of departure but also the name of the Shinkansen line you plan to take. This is because different lines are operated by different companies, each with its own ticketing websites and unique deals. To ride the Shinkansen, you will need two types of tickets: a passenger ticket indicating your car and seat numbers, as well as your destination station; and an express ticket specifically for Shinkansen trains or other types of fast "express trains."
When purchasing tickets online, you will need to provide customer information, such as your email address, and choose your preferred payment method. Most websites accept international credit cards, and some also support Apple Pay, Google Pay, and IC tap cards. After completing your purchase, you will receive a confirmation email, and the tickets can be delivered to your home or office, or you can pick them up at the station in Japan. If you opt for the latter, you can obtain your paper tickets from self-service ticket machines (kiosks) available at JR line stations.
It is worth noting that if you plan to spend a significant amount of time in Japan, visit multiple locations, or travel long distances, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a Japan Rail Pass instead of individual one-way tickets. The Japan Rail Pass offers unlimited travel within a designated region or across the country, providing hassle-free travel without the need to buy a ticket for every journey. Additionally, if you have a JR Pass, you can board any Shinkansen train (except for Nozomi and Mizuho services) with non-reserved seating. However, keep in mind that reserved seats on Shinkansen trains are complimentary but require advance booking.
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Buying tickets at the station on the day of travel
If you want to buy Shinkansen tickets at Kansai Airport on the day of travel, you can do so at the JR Kansai-Airport Station Ticket Office, which is open from 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The Kansai Airport Station is directly connected to the 2nd floor of the Terminal 1 Building and the 2nd floor of the Aeroplaza Building.
You can purchase Shinkansen tickets from the ticket vending machines or at the JR ticket counter. The vending machines offer the convenience of skipping the lines at the ticket counter, and you can use them to search for specific stations before purchasing your tickets. When purchasing with a credit card, you will need to enter your personal identification number (PIN). Passengers receiving Special Discounted Tickets from a ticketing machine will need to have their passport with an IC chip.
If you are travelling from Kansai Airport to Kyoto, you can take the Limited Express Haruka, which is the only rail service between Kyoto Station and Kansai Airport. It covers the distance in about 75 minutes, with stops at Osaka City's Shin-Osaka Station and Tennoji Station. The earliest Haruka service from Kansai Airport is at 6:30 a.m. (6:40 a.m. on weekends and holidays), and the latest is at 10:16 p.m.
Alternatively, you can take a bus or taxi from Kansai Airport to Kyoto. Limousine Bus services are available, with tickets purchased from the ticket windows by the bus stops. These buses operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and you can check the timetables on the Kansai Airport website. Taxi services, such as Yasaka Taxi and MK Taxi, offer affordable and convenient shuttle services between Kansai Airport and Kyoto, providing door-to-door pick-up and drop-off.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy Shinkansen tickets at Kansai Airport. The Kansai Airport Station is directly connected to the airport terminal building. You can purchase tickets from the JR West ticket machines or the JR Kansai-airport Station Ticket Office.
Yes, you can buy Shinkansen tickets online in advance through authorised sellers. You can also buy them at the station on the day of travel. However, during busy times such as New Year or cherry blossom season, it is recommended to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
You can travel from Kansai Airport to Kyoto by train or bus. The Limited Express Haruka train operated by JR West is the only rail service between Kansai Airport and Kyoto Station, taking around 75 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a limousine bus from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station, which takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
