Beginner's Guide to Japan's Shinkansen Bullet Trains, Tickets + Riding

[@KenshoQuest]

We appreciate the commissions we earn when you purchase Shinkansen tickets through our Klook affiliate link: geni.us/shinkansen 💕

[@williehardywayjr3485]

I’m going to Japan next week and your videos have been so helpful thank you soooo much !!

[@KenshoQuest]

You’re very welcome! Have a wonderful time in Japan.

[@ingehoffman7313]

I am visiting from OZ in two weeks time - your channel has been my Go To in preparation - really excited as it has been my No 1 Bucketlist country - many thanks and appreciate your work - be well 🌅

[@sandiearcher5137]

Visiting from Oz in 2025 - hope you have an awesome time!

[@KenshoQuest]

Have a wonderful time in Japan!

[@jessicatorlezi]

Everything I needed was that someone explained it to me as I was a 5 year old, and you did it 😂 Thank you so very much!!!

[@KenshoQuest]

You're welcome!

[@gailcrockett9883]

Love you both! Arigato gozaimashita!!!🫂

[@KenshoQuest]

Dōitashimashite!

[@lisale7881]

Our family will be visiting Japan in June (yes we know it’s a rainy season 😬😬😬), your videos are quite helpful!! Thank you

[@KenshoQuest]

You’re welcome! Don’t worry too much about the rain ☔️. Just pack accordingly. And maybe have some indoor attractions lined up. 🌸 Heidi

[@annamuraoka4853]

Me too. No rain will dampen my spirits! See you there 👋

[@tiagosilva6670]

My wife and I are going in June too. No rain will stop us😎

[@camilogonzalez7770]

@Kensho Quest thank you very much for the very detailed videos. I found them very useful during my recent trip to Japan. My experience: Klook is very helpful, only drawback was that it only sells segments. From Tokyo to Takayama I had to buy the segment from Tokyo to Nagoya, and then the one from Nagoya to Takayama, carefully planning arrival and departure times for the "connection." I guess I was lucky that my trip was pretty much covered by JRWest and found their website to be very easy to use and purchase. US issued credit card, no problem. I did have to go to an office or machine, enter the code and show/insert the credit card for the purchase which you also have to do with the QR code issued by Klook. I did the calculations before my trip and the JR pass was not worth it, especially since I stayed for 28 days. The JR offices usually have long lines. Thank you once again for having made my trip more informed and stress less.

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Just to clarify for anyone else who is wondering, there are a couple different ways to pick up a pre-purchased ticket from the machine. If you choose the "Pick Up Tickets" button, it will require you to enter your confirmation number and credit card used to purchase the tickets. However, if you select the "Read QR Code" button, you scan the QR code, confirm the section, and the tickets will print. Sometimes this method didn't work for us, and we had to use the previous method. 🌸 Heidi

[@bw5277]

Just found your channel. I wish I had seen it a little before as we just got back three weeks ago from Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kanazawa. Glad I went, but quite the experience with crowds for guy from Hawaii, Big Island. Enjoyed everything tho, and plan to go back next year maybe Nara, Osaka area and Okinawa. Thank you, enjoy your channel!

[@bw5277]

I just sub....will watch your other vids soon!

[@KenshoQuest]

Welcome! The crowds can be a bit much for us, too.

[@ezzrdewa]

you guys very detailed...good job

[@barrydevolin5168]

Your explanations are incredibly well articulated and organized. Booking Japanese trains is surprisingly complicated, but you have made the process much easier to navigate. Thank you very much. Maybe you could tackle European trains next...

[@KenshoQuest]

Glad to have helped! It's been years since we visited Europe. There would be a lot for us to learn there as well.

[@gailcrockett9883]

Excellent review!👏 Been watching all of your videos because they are so informative. As an older person travelling alone in September to Morioka from Narita and staying 2 months, I have been stressed trying to figure out particulary, which, how, and what Shinkansen Hayabusa on-way ticket during a week day afternoon. Thank you again.

[@KenshoQuest]

You're welcome! From Tokyo Station, you can take either a Hayabusa or a Komachi on the Tohoku Shinkansen line all the way to Morioka. In fact, they may even be coupled together for that journey! Those are the red and teal trains shown linked together in the photo and near the beginning of the video. My 3-year-old son has been learning all about them recently! Here's our separate video explaining how to buy the tickets online: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWThaNtr6yGm9E 🌸 Heidi

[@kieronspoors1608]

Just wanted to say a big thank you to you both for your helpful videos. I’ll finally be in Japan from the 9th next week! Looking forward to it! If I need any help while there, I know whose videos to watch. ☺️

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks. Have a wonderful time in Japan!

[@johndavidco8501]

Very detailed and helpful, as always. Thank you!

[@KenshoQuest]

You’re welcome!

[@UrielCaballero-h4m]

@KenshoQuest, thank you for these videos, they are very helpful, God bless you! Quick question, for reserved seats on Nozomi trains, do you recommend a particular car number? and if so, why? I can see that there are multiple to choose from (16 cars except those unavailable depending on the type you're reserving). Thank you in advance. Blessings!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. Any car number is fine. If you choose a car near the Green Cars, it may be more convenient to board on the platform. For example, Standard Reserved Cars 7 or 11, may be located more conveniently on the platform. Let us know how it goes! We never worried much about which car we chose. 🌸 Heidi

[@chandipussegoda8682]

Hi Kensho, I've been watching your family videos and they were great. 👍🙏My husband and myself are planning an 18 day trip in November. Love to see autumn colours. To cover reasonable part of Japan and avoiding JR 14 day pass, I am thinking to get Hokurika Arch pass and Kansi Hiroshima pass. Have few days in Tokyo with Tokyo wide pass. Whats your thinking on this, too much to do? Or 14 day JR is the easy option? Thanks in advance

[@jodo_cuts]

We love your videos! What do you both do for a living? Just curious!

[@andrewl8199]

Great video. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@KenshoQuest]

Thank you!

[@thevilemaxim9039]

Hi there, my family and I are travelling to Japan in October and your channel is our go to channel for information, it’s a great channel. One question I have is our to I reserve a Shinkansen ticket if I have already got a Hokuriku arch pass ? Which I will be buying.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. Once you have your Hokuriku Arch Pass you can either visit a JR ticket office or use a ticket machine to reserve your seats. 🌸 Heidi

[@sisaket33]

Very informative

[@KenshoQuest]

Glad you think so!

[@aivm]

Thanks for the informative video. Are there any differences between unreserved and reserved cars regarding seat quality and legroom?

[@KenshoQuest]

The seats are the same in ordinary class non-reserved and reserved. You’re just guaranteed to get one in reserved and might need to stand in non-reserved.

[@shazza51093]

Hi, just found your channel and subscribed. We are traveling to Japan May next year, As far as i can see it would be best for me to purchase the Whole Japan Rail Pass? to travel from Tokyo to Osaka, to Hiroshima, Kyoto and Nara?.. Am i correct to think that the Whole Japan Rail Pass would be the best option for me, and thank you for your well detailed video's which i shall be watching many more. 🙂

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. If you will travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima and back to Tokyo within 7 days, the JR Pass would be worth it. Here’s our video on calculating whether the JR Pass is worth it for your itinerary: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqTVi6OMjq1gotUsi=Peh8aCHPQA86sfgH

[@gidgettowey2496]

Thanks!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thank you!

[@Wonderland13719]

I'm part of a party of 3 traveling on a Monday late afternoon from Kobe to Yokohama. I'm not really sure what our schedule will be during the day and I wonder if it's reasonable to buy tickets at the gate instead of reserving ahead of time? I've never been on this route and don't know how busy I should expect it to be. Thanks!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. If you want to keep your options open, you can buy a Non-reserved Ordinary ticket for Shin-Kobe to Shin-Yokohama, and use it anytime that day. Or you could wait and buy tickets at the station and see if there are any Reserved Ordinary seats left. It really varies seasonally with trains being more fully booked during crowded seasons like spring. Here's one of our separate videos showing how to buy tickets online: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWThaNtr6yGm9E

[@marilyngroves9955]

Hi I can’t load the Smart Ex app onto my iPhone. I get a message app not available in the U.K. help and advice appreciated please

[@KenshoQuest]

You can use the SmartEX website instead: smart-ex.jp/en/index.php

[@drjjf78]

I need some advise…. Will be in Japan from the 12th to 22nd of November, will be based in Tokyo mostly but wanna travel west to Osaka + Kyoto (3-4days) and then as far as fukuoka and possibly just stay there about 1 night. What would be my ideal train tickets be like? All advise much appreciated…. Thank you

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, if you are able to do your trip to Fukuoka and back to Tokyo within 7 days then the whole 7-day JR Pass will be worth the price. Another option is the Sanyo San'in Pass that covers from Osaka/Kyoto all the way south to Fukuoka. If you choose this option, you can purchase individual shinkansen tickets to Osaka/Kyoto from Tokyo and also on return. these are affiliate links below: JR Pass: geni.us/wholejrpass Sanyo San'in: geni.us/sanyosaninpass Individual tickets: geni.us/shinkansen

[@gregmatsumoto5631]

Good information. But, how do I get access to the daily train schedule online? Do the trains travel daily are less often per week? Trying to schedule from USA

[@KenshoQuest]

There are many trains per day. You could check your route on Google Maps. We've noticed that when we go into the JR Ticket Office to enquire, there are even more trains than the ones shown on Google Maps. Personally, I enter my starting and ending stations on Klook to see the options. It's just an easy system to use. Here's our affiliate link: geni.us/shinkansen And here's our full video explaining how to buy tickets on Klook: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWThaNtr6yGm9E

[@stephanienguyen3702]

Hi, can I purchase a regional pass through Klook?

[@KenshoQuest]

Yes! Which regional pass are you interested in?

[@debbiewang6676]

Thank you for the useful information. However, I’m unable to complete the registration on Smart Ex without a Japanese phone number, as it requires to send a one time password. Have you ever encountered this issue? Is there a way to work around? Appreciate your help!

[@KenshoQuest]

Have you tried using your regular mobile phone number? That's what we used for SmartEX.

[@debbiewang6676]

@@KenshoQuestI have, but I’m from Canada, maybe that’s why as I’m not currently in Japan.

[@KenshoQuest]

@@debbiewang6676 Sometimes it does require you to be physically in Japan to complete the registration process.

[@talomajr]

For SmartEX, if buying ahead of time, the discount only applies to adult tickets and you can't add a child ticket in the same transaction so should I buy the adults together and the child separately? I'm assuming that won't cause any issues. Also it looks like if I purchase more than 30 days out, I can't reserve seats until within 30 days? Your videos have been super helpful for our upcoming trip in June ☺

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, glad our videos are helpful! Yes, try to book them separately to get the child discount. If you are booking far enough in advance it should be no problem. Also, you are correct, JR company only allows the purchase up to 30 days in advance. They have a pre-order but I don't recommend that as there are no guarantees you will get the seat you want.

[@BranndonClark]

Awesome video! When purchasing JR rail pass on official site does it get mailed to you in US or do you just pick up in Japan? I’m worried about not getting it in time if ordered within 30 days but want to make reservations beforehand. Thanks!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. If you purchase through the official website, I believe they email you a confirmation number, which you take to Japan to pick up your actual JR Pass. They don’t mail a paper Exchange Order like travel agents do. 🌸 Heidi japanrailpass.net/en/purchase/online/

[@Cubs3344]

If my flight to Narita Airport was delayed and arrived much later than anticipated. Where can I change my advance book reserve seat shinkansen ticket at the Airport? Any subway ticketing machine or only Shinkansen ticketing machine? Does Narita Airport have a service counter to make the changes? If I brought the advance ticket thru smart EX, can I change it from the website itself?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, your best bet will be to visit the JR ticket office at Narita or visit the JR reserved ticket macine. If you bought from Smart EX then yes, you can make changes online.

[@Cubs3344]

@@KenshoQuest thanks for your kind explanation

[@mishunot]

If for example I booked my Shinkansen online,smart-ex on june24,roundtrip ticket from Tokyo to Osaka , arrived in 🇯🇵 on July 25, travel to Osaka on aug7, can I claim my Shinkansen ticket on the day I would arrive in 🇯🇵 which is July 25? Both my roundtrip ticket? Thank you

[@KenshoQuest]

Yes, you can pickup both on same day.

[@ap2445]

Hello. I tried to buy shinkansen from the ticket machine before the departure date. We cannot choose the departure time when we book days prior to the departure date, arent we? If so, can we buy first, then decide the time and reserve seat on the departure date?

[@KenshoQuest]

Were you trying to purchase a Reserved or Non-Reserved ticket? If you are buying a Non-Reserved ticket there will not be a specific time, just a date.

[@ap2445]

@@KenshoQuest we try to buy Reserved seat ticket prior the departure date from the ticket machine. Can it be done?

[@KenshoQuest]

@@ap2445 Yes, if you are purchasing a Reserved seat from a ticket machine, you should be able to select the train time. Make sure you are selecting "Reserved Seat" then "For Seat Reservation on Shinkansen". Then you should be able to select the train, date, and time. If you later choose to change the time, you can do that at a ticketing machine, but there might not be as much availability. In this separate video we show how to change the train time at 05:37 in the video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWThaNtr6yGm9E

[@ap2445]

@@KenshoQuest thank you very much for the information

[@killerangel-qy9ug]

So if I purchase the hokuriku arch pass, and we wanna get off in kanazawa before going the rest of the way to kyoto can we do that? Like we'd get off and then like an hour later or so get back on.

[@KenshoQuest]

Yes you can. The Hokuriku Arch Pass allows for unlimited rides on the designated route. However, the pass wouldn’t be cost effective if you only plan to get off at Kanazawa. It’s really meant for exploring multiple cities in the Hokuriku area. It would be cheaper to buy a single-journey Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto or separate tickets Tokyo to Kanazawa to Kyoto. Here’s how to buy individual tickets: Easiest Way to Buy Shinkansen Tickets Online & How to Change Your Seat kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWThaNtr6yGm9E 🌸 Heidi

[@killerangel-qy9ug]

@KenshoQuest thank you Heidi, we do plan to explore more cities along the arch pass but it was simpler to just use one as a reference. Thank you again you guys are absolutely amazing and have really help me plan out our honeymoon more thoroughly

[@KenshoQuest]

Have a wonderful honeymoon!

[@AngelikiZ]

Is it possible to choose your seats or are they automatically allocated?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. It depends how you purchase your reserved seat Shinkansen ticket. If you purchase from a ticket machine or SmartEX, you can choose your specific seat. If you purchase online through Klook, you will be assigned a reserved seat. If you want to change your seat, you can do so at a machine or office, after you have collected your paper ticket. We show how to change a seat reservation in this separate video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWThaNtr6yGm9E 🌸 Heidi

[@AngelikiZ]

@@KenshoQuest thank you so much!

[@lizpedroza9965]

How do I reserve the hello kitty train

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, it depends on where you will be traveling to/from. Also take into consideration that it doesn't operate every single day. And it only runs once a day. Here is a link to the page where you can check the date/time of availabililty: www.jr-hellokittyshinkansen.jp/en/

[@lizpedroza9965]

@@KenshoQuest I’m down there July 16 from Osaka to Hiroshima but I get stuck when it asks for train number… thank u so much for replying

[@KenshoQuest]

@@lizpedroza9965 Going Shin-Osaka towards Hakata it is Kodama No. 849, departing Shin-Osaka station at 11:37am.