Where and How to Buy Shinkansen Tickets: Online and Ticket Machines

Buying tickets for the shinkansen, or bullet train, can be a little more complex than expected. There's different train lines, online booking systems and pick-up methods. If you want to make it easy, you can use a booking website such as Klook, or if the cost-benefit works out, there's also the JR Pass. In this video though, we're focusing on how to buy individual shinkansen tickets from the station ticket machine and online.
For more info, check out our shinkansen ticket article: tokyocheapo.com/travel/where-...
== LINKS ===
Buy online from Klook:
tokyocheapo.com/yt/klook-shin...
Buy online from Rakuten:
tokyocheapo.com/yt/rakuten-sh...
== CHAPTERS ===
0:00 Intro
0:26 Overview of Shinkansen lines and tickets
1:20 Buying tickets at the station
3:20 Buying online: smartEX
5:45 Buying online: Ekinet
7:27 Easy online booking: Klook
★★★ TokyoCheapo ★★★
Subscribe: dvr.jp/youtube
Website : tokyocheapo.com/
Community : community.tokyocheapo.com/
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Newsletter : tokyocheapo.com/newsletter
★★★ Credits ★★★
Intro sequence by the most talented Peter Laugesen
Creative commons images used in the intro:
* Gundam Robot Statue in Odaiba www.flickr.com/photos/picsofl...
* Japanese Salaryman Asleep www.flickr.com/photos/istolet...
* Domestic Cat commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Us...
* Saraninman commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Us...
* Wild Cat www.geograph.org.uk/profile/34298
* Ginza Holiday Promenade www.flickr.com/photos/yoshika...
* Shibuya Crossing www.flickr.com/photos/3102986...

[@zenny9986]

this is the BEST JAPAN TRAVEL channel ever, thank you so much!!! The guides are so easy to understand and straight forward, looking forward to my trip to Japan in about a week :D

[@doramaluvr]

I'm traveling alone to Japan tomorrow and this is really helpful. Thank you!

[@piplup12]

Thank you for much for the video . I have been stressing hard about getting - Shinkansen ticket and this put my mind at ease!

[@guardo931]

This is so helpful! Thank you for explaining this so clearly!

[@tokyocheapo]

Glad to hear it was helpful! Thanks for watching 😊

[@roalvisvilchez6323]

Thanks for the info girl. And thanks even more for your discount ❤ I just booked it.

[@lawd.9829]

4:28 Thank you for the info on Mt Fuji! We are planning to go next year and your videos are helpful! Subscribed and liked!

[@v.n.4276]

This was super helpful --- thank you so much for simplifying something that other videos made feel so complicated!

[@tokyocheapo]

You're so welcome!

[@tvaronaite]

I was so overwhelmed and confused until this video, thank you!

[@AgentJ415]

Same!

[@imaginethatttt]

I go to Japan twice a year and I still found this VERY helpful!! Thank you!

[@tokyocheapo]

You're so welcome!

[@theclown888]

I was able to book a train from Tokyo to Toyama thanks to your video. I appreciate it!!

[@andrewelymedina6381]

GREAT Video! Everything I needed to book online from overseas. THANK YOU.

[@tokyocheapo]

Glad it was helpful! Have a great trip!

[@kristenvandalay]

This is great, broken down very simply!

[@nevilbruno6706]

Literally watched it while standing in queue at the machine. Very helpful, thank you!! 😅

[@tokyocheapo]

Haha glad it was helpful! Enjoy your trip!

[@meganh9703]

Super helpful and clear advice. Thank you so much!

[@tokyocheapo]

You are welcome!

[@marcolino180]

really good video, simply but still with a lot of information!

[@hermanchu9040]

Thank you for making it so clear! Finally understand how it works!

[@tokyocheapo]

You're welcome!

[@marylizabetha]

Thanks for making this video! Very easy to understand

[@mrdavidgr13]

This was so helpful! Thanks a lot for the effor put into this :)

[@tokyocheapo]

You're very welcome!

[@mrdavidgr13]

Thanks!@@tokyocheapo Quick question tho: I just bought tickets from Tokyo to Kyoto following these steps on the app. Does "Tokyo" on my ticket stand for "Tokyo Station"? And the same for "Kyoto"?

[@reeeee6693]

this channer so helpful, easy to understand

[@emiliebrandhj1338]

very helpful thank you so much!

[@sahilgoel1845]

apki vajah se hamare paise bach gaye. Bhaut shukriya. Klook par mhenga tha.

[@Daniel-ln1lz]

Very well explained.👍👍👍

[@carlosdiogopsicologia]

Thank you so much! It was very usefull.

[@monocubas]

Excellent info! Thanks a lot!

[@tokyocheapo]

You're welcome! 😊

[@gretchenwootton7470]

Thanks so much for this info. We’re travelling to Japan in July and your videos including this one have really helped me prepare.

[@tokyocheapo]

Really glad to hear that 😊 Hope you have a wonderful trip!

[@themechanicreviews4285]

​ I want to go to Nagoya which line should I select?

[@MrAttuss]

Great video! :) Quick question: after registering my suica card in the app, does the newly purches tickect automaticly connect to it or you have to do it manually?

[@Erick321zeus]

Great video!!! :) Thxnks!!!!!!

[@tokyocheapo]

Our pleasure!

[@hudd.y]

thank you very helpful!

[@tokyocheapo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Omni0404]

Thank you so much for your advice about getting tickets more than 1 month in advance through the 3rd party sites. Are there any methods to get japan central railway tickets more than 1 month in advance? I'm trying to get from Nagoya to Takayama the morning/afternoon of the first day of the autumn festival. It seems my only option is the Hida limited express and there's only a few of them each day. I know there's going to be a lot of competition for these seats to get to the festival so if there's anything at all anybody could suggest I would be eternally grateful.

[@zaphod4245]

A bit late I know but I'd also add that the JR West site allows you to book any train (shinkansen and regular trains) operated by JR West, Central, Shikoku and Kyushu, as well as the JR East trains in Kanto (incl Joetsu and Hokuriku shinkansen). This is useful if you want to book non-shinkansen trains such as the Hida train to/from Takayama, as ekinet allows booking of non-shinkansens in the JR East area, but not elsewhere, and SmartEx is shinkansen only, no regular trains.

[@tinale9458]

Thanks for sharing the video! I just want to ask you about Hello kitty train can I use it go to Kyoto from Tokyo? Or from Kyoto to Osaka city? Thanks

[@stuff8575]

Thanks for the great video and information. Is it easy enough to buy Shinkansen tickets at the ticket office on the day you're travelling?

[@TheMangoTM]

Your videos is really helpful for me - Thanks a lot! I've got a little question: can I get all my tickets I booked with smartEX and got an QR code for in advance at one ticket machine? Like I'm planning trips from Tokyo to Yokohame to Kyoto to Hiroshima to Fukuoka to Osaka - by arriving in Tokyo is it possible to get all tickets printet at the machine so I haven't to worry about that later on? Thank you in advance for answering! 🙇‍♀

[@sudekidane4753]

Thank you so much! :)

[@B.K557]

Hi need help, in Europe i can net use the app of Smart-ex. can i download qr as a file on my and use it ? Or maybe print it and scan it on the station?

[@amy-bm3yh]

when i booked thru smart ex apps how do i know on the seat will be on the right of left? i want to see mount fuji view from tokyo to osaka

[@aitanapena6523]

Hi! I,ve just bought two tickets following your guide so thank you for helping us! I have a question though; I have bought two seats so, if I link the reservation to my ic card, do I have to scan it twice when passing through the gates? Or tapping it in once is enough for both person? Thank you!

[@AlexRonai]

When you buy 2 tickets on Smart EX, are both tickets linked to one Suica card or can you say on the app to link one ticket to another card? Also, I ordered a Kansai-Hiroshima pass so is there any site to book seats online for JR West since eki net is just for JR East.

[@shizaya3]

Hi what’s the difference between the Shinkansen (reserved sear and fare ticket) and the shinkansen (fare ticket)? I hear there’s a basic fare for every train ride, but can we pay for the Shinkansen fare ticket with welcome suica card at the entry gates ? Do we have to buy the basic fare ticket at the machine?

[@IDBarrero]

¿Can you pick up the tickets purchase at the ekinet in the ticket machines or do you have to get them in the East JR line travel center in the Tokyo station?

[@WisdomKnot]

As with Suica on iPhone, it seems European visa cards are not accepted. But Mastercard works with both of them

[@monCHERished]

Hi what are the instances wherein we can purchase the limited express fare and not the basic fare thru the ticketing machine?

[@bikerider4957]

Does Smart Ex also charge a processing fee like Kloog? thx, regards Josef

[@marcelapedersen9051]

I loved the video. I want to buy from Tokyo to Kyoto. Does the price change if I buy in advance online?

[@Jasmine-fe3ph]

At 2:52, what does getting the basic fare and limited express fare mean? Do I have to get both? 😅

[@shizaya3]

If we reserve a seat on the smart ex app so we select “pick up ticket” option on the left side or the “pick up reserved seat” option on the bottom right side? At 0:40

[@bizcochodulce]

5:32 Hi again! What do you mean the "separated QR code"? The website give you two QR code or is the same that you use to obtain the paper tickets at the machine. Can you collect the tickets with that QR Code or just go to the pass machine with the same QR code? Thanks in advance

[@shizaya3]

Another question… sorry I’m just so lost 😅 I’m interested in the QR code from Tokyo to Kyoto. Does the Tokyo station have QR code scanners on the entry gate? Can we also book tickets in one purchase like I plan on going from Tokyo to Kyoto but then plan to return from Osaka to Tokyo. Can I reserve tickets like this?

[@SurvivorQT]

were headed to japan late march, would you recommend booking tickets in advance? or would tickets be available day of?

[@JonoLam]

Please help! I want to go from kyoto -> Fujiyoshida on sept 14/2023, then fujiyoshida -> tokyo. Google maps tells me to go from: kyoto (take JR train) -> Mishima station and then take a bus to fujiyoshida/kawaguchi. is this the same website I would need to use for this ticket? Thanks!!

[@oscarsanchez3186]

I’m traveling to Japan in two months and this was the most concise and easy to follow guide. Thank you! One question, if we take the tickets in the station machines 3 days in advance is enough to book it or could be is already full?

[@tokyocheapo]

We’re really glad you found the video helpful! Late March is peak season for travel so you may find the shinkansen getting full. If you’re flexible with your times, 3 days in advance may be enough for booking or you could also purchase a non-reserved ticket. However, you’re not guaranteed a seat with this option, so you’d want to arrive early to secure one.

[@marionavidal1816]

Thank you so much for this video! Very helpful :) Just one question, does the Suica on Apple Wallet work for adding the Shinkansen tickets on it?

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! It does work but you'll need to also download the "Suica" app so that you can access the ID number for your Suica card. Once you input this number into your reservation, the ticket will be loaded on the Suica card in your wallet.

[@michaelc4677]

In Uk and cant download the smartEX app or register as credit card wont go through in registration. can you advise thanks

[@ryo5210]

Im trying to buy my ticket through smart-ex but for some reason I don't see the option to view seat map at 4:16 portion of the video. In fact, I don't see it anywhere even when I arrived at the last final step, how do I get reserve seat?

[@haideelim1275]

If I bought a 3 day tokyo wide pass online on ekinet, can I pick up my ticket at narita airport? And since we are traveling with luggages from narita to tokyo station then to echigo yuzawa, do we need to reserve luggage storage on the shinkansen? Thank you

[@vicerine22]

if i have an IC card, do i need to buy the base fare ticket aswell?

[@manny7662]

Thank you I love you.

[@trauden7684]

Once purchased on Smart Ex, where can I find these machines to get thr paper ticket? We arrive late to Haneda and will go to out hotel in Yokohama. The next morning we will take the Shinkansen from yokohama to Osaka. I believe we have to go to shin-Yokohama to catch the train. Just now sure where I can get the paper ticket if prepurchased on Smart Ex. Thanks.

[@deniseevangelista6217]

If I’m buying two passenger tickets, how does linking the suica card work for both of us?

[@jay2haus]

This is so helpful! I'm traveling to Japan soon with a couple of people. If I have tickets for 4 people and my SmartEx account is connected to 1 IC card (mine) will I be able to tap all 4 of us through the gate or is it better to just buy separately?

[@tokyocheapo]

Hello! Glad it was helpful 😊 Each person will need to tap through separately. You can assign each ticket to a separate IC card from your account.

[@Alex-vr9vh]

Can you connect the shinkansen ticket to the apple wallet IC suica card?

[@HamaCatArgentina]

Hi! do I need the physical credit card to retriev the tickets from the machines?

[@HLHOP701]

Hi sis, may I ask what is the Shinkansen to Limited Express? As I want to buy From Osaka to Nagoya and then straight to Takayama. Thanks

[@StevenChe-rn1dn]

Hi there, am I am just wondering if I can buy a group ticket (3 persons)? Do you recommend Klook?

[@travoholic_saniya]

Hi, I am buying the Shinkansen ticket from JR west website online. Can I pickup my ticket from any Shinkansen station in Japan. I am going from Mishima to Kyoto. Will I be able to pickup ticket in Mishima or should I pick them up in Tokyo few days before my actual travel date.

[@carlomolino9724]

Hi I have a question. Since the EX site does not accept any of my credit cards for registration ( neither visa nor mastercard), I was thinking of buying tickets from tokyo to osaka on the JR WEST site. I read that the only machines enabled to print JR WEST tickets in Tokyo are at tokyo central station on the Yeasu side and are marked with the 5489 logo on an orange background. Can you confirm this information for me? Unfortunately, on the official sites it is very difficult to find such information.

[@Idelee]

Very informative video. Your content is very helpful in planning a trip to Japan. Hopefully you can answer a question for me. I'm know Shinjuku station does not have a Shinkansen line, but do you know if there are Shinkansen ticketing machine there? Or can I purchase a single ticket at the JR East Travel center for the Tokaido Shinkansen?

[@tokyocheapo]

You can buy Shinkansen tickets at shinjuku, there should be machines and there’s definitely a JR service centre for buying tickets over the counter too.

[@Idelee]

@@tokyocheapo thank you so much for replying 😊

[@Lil_lily28]

Hey, got a question, can i pay for the ticket from the vending machine by my foreign credit card? And if not then what should i do then?

[@alessandroconfente6545]

Do you if shinkasen departure on 05 06 07 am to tokyo?

[@Cnzcia]

That EX website doesn't accept my visa 😢

[@andrewc2028]

Same here

[@jeangui001]

Same visa, Mastercard mine and my spouse as well. Call them and they were asking if my cards were 3d secure ready. They all are. We have used them abroad for the last 3 years (being expats). Just not working.

[@noviabopi]

If I buy ticket for tomorrow via website, can I collect the ticket one day before at ticket machine? Thank you

[@waterbear8990]

How do you connect the shinkansen ticket to the suica?

[@rcboatnut]

Wow such a great video, I have a question? if I get the welcome suica card can I link my online ticket purchase to that card?

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there, thanks for watching! 😊 Yes you can use a Welcome Suica card, just be aware of some of the precautions listed on the Smart-Ex website: smart-ex.jp/en/faq/category/detail/?id=484

[@Nasharooney]

Thank you for this super clear and helpful video. Can I ask if we need to worry about tickets being sold out on the day we wish to travel?

[@tokyocheapo]

Yes, especially for weekend travel and during peak seasons, Shinkansen services can be fully booked

[@mishunot]

How do you connect your Sui a card to my Shinkansen ticket?

[@talafim]

Do someone know how round trip works? I ordered a round trip ticket from JR website, I was able to select destinations date and time, but after completing the destination order system didn’t provide a return date and time planning.

[@naomioyadomari5252]

Can I purchase multiple tickets on Smart Ex for my family members? If so, how do I get the individual tickets for each member? Or can I transfer the tickets onto their mobile SUICA card?

[@Jerson0702]

Hi there, I'm trying to reserve a train ticket to go from Nagano to Kyoto. I was able to use the JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION, but then towards the end of the reservation I get a notification saying "Tickets cannot be received at Nagano Station" and that I should look for station where tickets can be received. Before then I will be in Tokyo, I don't see any options here to receive the tickets. Any ideas? Thanks ind avance.

[@mrblakeyboy8940]

How do I specify that I have oversized luggage when booking online?

[@mikkidp2788]

Where do we find the QR code? My partner just bought tickets for our trip next year and we haven't received a QR code in the confirmation email we received after purchasing

[@kenjames22]

Can I bring 2 oversized luggage in shinkansen?

[@meganhauser6694]

Thanks for the super helpful information! Is it possible to buy tickets before getting a Suica card, and then adding the ticket to the card after I get it? I'm not in Japan yet, but I was thinking of booking our first train in two weeks. Otherwise I will have four days once we are in Japan, so does it make sense to wait until I have a Suica card?

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! Yes you can add the Suica card at a later date from the reservation details screen.

[@xpickchu9697]

how much is the ticket for Shinkansen usd cause i plan on going to tokyo to osaka

[@LunaRaStarshine]

Can you change your ticket after you purchase?

[@cymaticvisuals]

Great video, so helpful :) Just wondering, if you buy tickets online and receive a QR code, how far in advance can you get the physical tickets from a machine at the station? Does it have to be the same day as departure or can you go there whenever? Thanks!

[@thefeaturedfilmer4661]

This is also something I really need to know!

[@VBL-]

Is it significantly cheaper to buy some weeks ahead of time, or are the prices fixed?

[@codbeast001]

Hi! You mentioned in the video you can connect your suica card to Shinkansen. Is there a process for it? or do I just top up my suica and use it when I want to go through Shinkansen? Thanks in advance Edit: I forgot to ask does it work for virtual suica as well? I am traveling in two weeks and I’m so excited!

[@Degesu]

On the member registration screen of Smart EX, there is a section for registering a transportation system IC card. (I think that is under the credit card registration section) Enter the IC card number there (if it is Suica, enter the number starting with JE). For Mobile Suica, if you are an iphone user, tap the i-mark on the screen when you start up your phone to confirm. If you are an Android user, you can check it by tapping on something called Suica Management from the member menu (I don't know if this translation is correct as I don't know the English version of Suica's screen). Then just put your IC card number into the Smart EX screen in the same way. (I am Japanese, so I used Deepl translation.）

[@Kakang990]

Hi, question me and my husband will be in Japan this coming April for 3 nights only. It is worth buying a Suica card or just an individual ticket?

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! If you're doing a reasonable amount of travel even in 3 days, the Suica card will make it a lot more seamless and convenient as you don't have to work out fares each time you hop on the train. If you have an iPhone, you can add Suica to your Apple wallet 😊

[@Esmeraldakeit]

Hi! :) I would like to see Fuji when travelling to Osaka or Kyoto, The right side on that image 04:34 would be the top ones right? I m a bit confused😅

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there, great question! The right side at 04:34 is the bottom ones. The arrows all the way to the right show the direction the train is travelling in - so you want the right side of the train going to Osaka/Kyoto and the left side of the train travelling to Tokyo.

[@Esmeraldakeit]

@@tokyocheapo Thank you so much🫶🏻🤍 Your videos are really helpful🥰

[@theinternationalist1357]

Can I charge my US credit card with pin to my IC (Pasmo or Suica)? I heard that the credit card will consider that cash advance or just a regular credit charge??

[@tokyocheapo]

You should be able to charge a mobile Suica with a US card, AMEX is known to work best. However you can't charge a physical Sucia card with a credit card - you need to use cash. See our Suica Guide video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIaYk41_fLuYd9E

[@user-ub4mm4cj7c]

Can I book a reserved seat using the Smart-Ex app if I want to take the Hikari Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka?

[@BilliamOnDemand]

If it accepted any credit cards yes. But it doesn't.

[@Gazereths1234]

This will become even more handy after the massive price increase of the JR pass in October......I'm gonna book mine asap and try to get a full pass for the bargain price. Though I don't arrive until the 31st of oct (Halloween yay!) so not sure if I'll be allowed to use it still.......Kinda nerve racking lol. Is there a way of linking a JR Pass to a Suica card? That would be really handy! I'm a bit nervous that the paper ticket will get ruined in one of the machines, or I'll lose it, or get it wet (The rain in Japan can get pretty knarly, even for an Englishman lol)

[@tokyocheapo]

It would be great if you could link the JR Pass to a suica card but unfortunately for now there’s no way to do that. Hopefully in Oct/Nov, you’ll have clear autumn weather with no rain! 🤞

[@Gazereths1234]

@@tokyocheapo Ahh that's a shame, would be great to just tap it on the scanner. Though I suppose you need to show the ticket on the train if they ask. Hopefully the weather will be good in Autumn, though last time I went in 2018 there was a typhoon when I was in Hiroshima, though that was 31st of September. The next day was spectacular though, perfect weather and a trip to Miyajima, probably the best day I had in Japan. Made up for the first day getting washed out and my umbrella braking while at the peace park. :P

[@scaleartsg]

no tokyo cheapo discount?

[@Grant_Ferstat]

We can't register any of our cards (Australian Visa with different banks) with Smart Ex at all. We've treid multiple times. Has anyone found a solution for this. Our banks are no help.

[@ryanasksaround]

Same issue here, Mastercard doesn’t work either

[@Alex-uc8co]

Same here

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Update is we got my wife’s work Mastercard to work.

[@ryanasksaround]

@@Grant_Ferstat do you know what company? Is it Canadian mastercard?

[@Grant_Ferstat]

@@ryanasksaround no it isn’t. We’re in Australia.

[@anandvsamuel]

Amazing video and a big fan of your videos. Unfortunately I'm unable to buy tickets online as my cards were not recognized, I saw some reviews say lot of people experience the same. For the ticket machine, what are the chances of getting a seat on the day, is it hard normally (first time to Japan, thus the question) or should I always book in advance. Also, do I always need to get both the base fare and shinkansen, wouldn't the base be covered in it already (Eg: From Odawara to Kyoto or Kyoto to Osaka)

[@user-kg2to7ey2l]

hello was it full when you arrived ?

[@anandvsamuel]

@user-kg2to7ey2l it was not. Avoid periods like golden week. However I bought tickets either the day before or 2 days before and all was good. The only exception could be if you have a lot of luggage then you may not be able to get luggage storage at the back but in a different storage area. Your biggest luggage can also go on top and it's safe and secure.

[@edeleedr]

Hello! I received the QR codes for each of our tickets. Do we still need physical tickets to board? The smartex FAQ says we can just scan it at the gate.

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! You can use just the QR code as the SmartEX FAQ says, however, just be aware that at some stations not all ticket gates have the QR code reader. For example, at Tokyo Station, you need to enter through the dedicated shinkansen gates at the Yaesu entrance/exit. You can't enter with the QR code from the Marunouchi side.

[@atulkelkar1296]

If i book Shinkansen thru KLOOK, can i also pay for Larger luggage ? Me and my wife will have 2 large suitcases for our journey Tokyo to Osaka in September.

[@adventurous_Souls24]

hi, we are travelling soon. if we book online tickets from tokyo to echigo-yuzawa , can we pickup tickets through machine?

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! Yes at some bigger stations you are able to pick up tickets at the reserved seat ticket vending machine or you can collect them from a JR East travel service center.

[@jtlai9508]

How does the ekinet eticket work? is it a printed QR code to scan at train gate? Btw, we do not have ic or suica card

[@jamescc2010]

Did you find out? If you have iphone you can add Suica card in your apple wallet and link eticket. I think that is the only way to use eticket but imk 100%. I added card to my wallet but did not buy any ticket yet until Dec 23.

[@birgittakruse2558]

Thanks for your vid. Is it possible to get a shinkhansen ticket at the moment when you like to go. Or do I have to book it in advanced? What happens if I bought a ticket and I am to late? Can I get the next one without paying again? We are there in March and April, first time ❤ thanks really appreciate your answer

[@tokyocheapo]

Hi there! You can get a ticket from the station ticket machine or the ticket counter on the day you'd like to go. If you're travelling on one of the main shinkansen lines like Tokyo -> Osaka in peak times, we wouldn't recommend this though as it gets very crowded at the station and it'll be difficult to book a reserved seat. Shinkansen tickets are valid for the whole day you bought them, so if you miss your train you can catch the next one and use the non-reserved seats 😊