Jazmin Li
Shinkansen bullet trains are a fast and convenient way to travel around Japan. To ride one, you need two types of tickets: a passenger ticket and an express ticket. These can be bought online, at ticket counters, or from vending machines at stations. Tickets can also be purchased in advance through third-party agents like Klook and Rakuten Travel Experiences. While it is possible to buy Shinkansen tickets at the airport, this is not always the case. For example, Japan Railways West (JR West) allows you to buy tickets online and pick them up at major train stations in west Japan, but not in Tokyo.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you buy Shinkansen tickets at the airport? | No, but you can buy them online before you arrive in Japan or from local vending machines. |
| Where to buy Shinkansen tickets | Shinkansen tickets can be bought online (via apps and websites), at ticket machines, and at travel service counters in major stations around Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan. |
| How far in advance can you buy Shinkansen tickets? | Usually, Shinkansen tickets can only be bought one month in advance, but through sites like Klook or Rakuten Travel Experiences, you can buy tickets much further in advance. |
| What are the different types of Shinkansen tickets? | There are regular Shinkansen tickets and the Japan Rail Pass. |
| Where can you buy the Japan Rail Pass? | The Japan Rail Pass can be purchased from an authorized overseas travel partner or online through the dedicated JR Pass website. |
| What are the benefits of buying Shinkansen tickets in advance? | Buying Shinkansen tickets in advance can get you seats on busy days/times/routes, allow you to pick a seat, and snap up limited reserved baggage spots. |
| What information do you need to provide to buy a Shinkansen ticket? | You need to provide the train name, departure station, date, estimated time, and number of people. |
| What are the different seating options on Shinkansen trains? | There are reserved and non-reserved seats. There are also GreenCar (similar to business class) and GranClass (first class) seats available on some trains. |
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What You'll Learn
Buying Shinkansen tickets online
Shinkansen tickets can be purchased online via apps and websites, at ticket machines, and at travel service counters in major stations around Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan. However, Japan's rail system is complicated, and your options may differ depending on your destination.
You can buy Shinkansen tickets online from the official SmartEx app, the JR West website, or from official third-party agents like Klook. However, it's important to note that JR West only covers train routes in Western Japan and does not offer countrywide coverage. Third-party agents like Klook provide coverage for buying tickets online for all destinations in Japan.
If you're looking to purchase tickets in advance, you can do so through third-party websites like Klook or Rakuten Travel Experiences, which offer the flexibility to buy tickets far in advance and lock in your travel plans. On the other hand, Shinkansen tickets are typically only available for purchase one month in advance through the official channels.
When buying tickets online, you will need to provide your name, email address, and a four-digit identification number that you will need when picking up your ticket. You will also need to select your ticket type, preferred seats, and the number of passengers or tickets. Options for one-way and round-trip tickets are usually available.
Additionally, there are different types of Shinkansen tickets to consider. Firstly, you need a passenger ticket that indicates the car and seat numbers, along with the destination station. Secondly, you need an express ticket to ride Shinkansen trains or other types of fast 'express trains'. Certain trains may use a single integrated ticket, but often you will need both types of tickets to board.
For non-JR Pass holders, the price of a Shinkansen ticket includes the base fare, Shinkansen supplement, seat reservation fee (if applicable), and green car fee (if applicable). The base fare and supplemental super-express surcharge increase with the distance travelled. During peak seasons, additional surcharges are applied, while discounts are offered during the off-season. An additional charge applies to reserved seats and green cars (equivalent to first class).
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Buying Shinkansen tickets at the airport
Shinkansen bullet trains are a fast, comfortable, and luxurious way to travel around Japan. To ride a Shinkansen, you need two types of tickets: a passenger ticket and an express ticket.
Shinkansen tickets can be purchased at the airport, online, or at the station. Here is a guide to buying Shinkansen tickets at the airport.
Shinkansen tickets can be purchased at the airport through the official website or third-party agents such as Klook. Japan Rail Passes can be purchased from an authorized overseas travel partner or online through the dedicated JR Pass website. The JR Pass offers unlimited travel on JR trains, including Shinkansen trains, and can be used as a regular train ticket.
Buying Tickets Online
Tickets can be purchased online in advance through apps and websites such as Klook, Rakuten Travel Experiences, and SmartEX. Buying tickets online allows for a smoother experience, as you can secure your seat in advance and compare prices and timings. Tickets purchased online can be delivered to your hotel in Japan for a small fee.
Buying Tickets at the Station
Shinkansen tickets can also be purchased at the station through ticket counters or vending machines. Ticket counters offer assistance in English, but there may be long lines during busy times. Ticket vending machines are available in multiple languages and can be found inside the Shinkansen ticket office or nearby. These machines vary in appearance and interface depending on the station.
Tips for Buying Shinkansen Tickets
- It is recommended to book tickets in advance during peak seasons, such as Christmas, New Year, cherry blossom season (April), and fall foliage season (November).
- Faster Shinkansen services, such as the Nozomi, may cost extra.
- Reserved seats can be selected during the booking process, which is recommended if you have luggage greater than 160 cm in total linear dimensions.
- Children under 12 years old are entitled to discounts, while young children up to 5 years old can travel for free with an adult.
- Buying tickets online through Ekinet may offer additional discounts.
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Buying Shinkansen tickets at the station
Shinkansen bullet trains are a fast and luxurious way to travel around Japan. However, buying Shinkansen tickets can be a confusing process for first-time travellers. This guide will instruct you on how to buy Shinkansen tickets at the station.
Shinkansen tickets can be purchased at the station until just before departure, provided that they are available. Tickets can be bought at a ticket counter or at special ticket machines. Ticket machines are useful when the queues at the counter are long. Ticket machines come in all shapes, colours, and sizes, but they can be confusing to use. Some machines only offer Shinkansen tickets, while others only offer seat reservations, and some do not accept foreign credit cards. Most ticket machines can be used in English.
To buy a Shinkansen ticket, you will need to provide the following information:
- Date and time of departure
- Number of people travelling
- Departure station
- Shinkansen line
- Whether you want a “Non-Reserved Seat” or a “Reserved Seat"
To ride a Shinkansen, you need two types of tickets:
- A passenger ticket, which indicates the car and seat numbers, as well as the destination station
- An express ticket to ride Shinkansen trains (and other types of fast 'express trains')
In some cases, you may only need a single integrated ticket. However, the ticket machine may still print out two tickets, one for the basic fare and one for the super express fare.
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Buying Shinkansen tickets from vending machines
Shinkansen tickets can be purchased from vending machines at stations. These machines are multilingual, offering support in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean. They also accept various payment methods, including cash and credit cards.
To purchase a Shinkansen ticket from a vending machine, first select your preferred language. Then, choose between a "Reserved Seat" or "Non-reserved Seat" ticket. Non-reserved tickets are cheaper and offer the flexibility to ride any Shinkansen train that day, but seating may be limited, especially during rush hour. On the other hand, reserved tickets guarantee a seat of your choice.
Next, select the Shinkansen line you wish to travel on. For example, the Tohoku/Yamagata/Akita/Hokkaido Shinkansen line serves destinations such as Sendai, Aomori, and Akita, while the Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen line connects to Nagano, Karuizawa, and Kanazawa.
After choosing your line, select your departure station, which is usually set to the station you are currently at by default. If your journey begins at a different station, simply choose the correct one from the options provided. Then, enter your destination station. You can quickly find your desired station by typing the first few letters of its name.
Finally, confirm your seat selection. If you opted for a reserved seat, a seat map of the train car will be displayed for you to choose from.
Please note that Shinkansen tickets can usually only be purchased one month in advance, and they are available until just before departure, subject to availability. Additionally, certain vending machines may only sell Shinkansen tickets, while others may only offer seat reservations or accept specific payment methods.
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Buying Shinkansen tickets in advance
Shinkansen tickets can be purchased in advance online, at ticket machines, or at travel service counters in major stations around Tokyo and the rest of Japan. However, it is usually only possible to buy tickets one month in advance. To buy tickets online, you can use the official Shinkansen website, or third-party apps and websites such as Klook, Rakuten Travel Experiences, or Rail Ninja. These third-party apps and websites allow you to buy tickets much further in advance than one month, and they can be more convenient for locking in travel plans. However, they may charge additional handling fees and commissions.
If you are buying tickets online from the official website, you will need to create an account with JR Central, the rail company that operates the route. You may also need to provide the following information:
- Date and time of travel
- Number of people
- Departure and arrival stations
- Train name
- Whether you want a Non-Reserved Seat or a Reserved Seat
Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the station, either at a ticket counter or from a special ticket machine. Note that some ticket machines only allow you to buy one ticket at a time, which can be inconvenient if you are travelling in a group. Additionally, some machines only offer Shinkansen tickets, while others only offer seat reservations, and some do not accept foreign credit cards.
If you are flying into Kansai International Airport (KIX), you can use the Japan Railways West (JR West) online ticket service to buy your Shinkansen tickets in advance. This service only covers tickets in west Japan and those originating in west Japan and terminating elsewhere. You must then pick up your tickets at major train stations in west Japan.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot buy Shinkansen tickets at the airport. However, you can buy them online before you arrive in Japan, or from vending machines at train stations.
You can buy Shinkansen tickets online from the official SmartEx app, the JR West website, or from official third-party agents like Klook and Rakuten Travel Experiences.
Shinkansen ticket vending machines are available at most stations with Shinkansen services. Look out for the bullet train symbol and sign just outside the ticket gates.
Buying Shinkansen tickets in advance can help you secure a seat, especially during busy seasons. It can also help you get seats on busy days/times/routes, choose where you’d like to sit in the carriage, and snap up limited reserved baggage spots.
