Finding out how to buy tickets for the Shinkansen trains can seem intimidating at first. But, no worries we’re here to help! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the various Shinkansen train ticket options, where to buy them, and whether the all-inclusive JR Pass is a good investment for your trip.
The Shinkansen, also known as the bullet train, is one of the most iconic aspects of Japan’s transportation system. We absolutely loved traveling with these trains, and they made it super easy and efficient to get from Tokyo to Kyoto and all the way down to Fukuoka.
Also fun fact: they come with surprising amount of legroom!
Single Shinkansen Tickets
Single tickets are the most common type of tickets for tourists and occasional travelers. They are ideal if you’re planning to take a single trip between two cities, such as from Tokyo to Kyoto. There are multiple ways to buy a single ticket:
Online: You can buy tickets through Smart-Ex, which is the official JR East ticket website or other certified third-party sites.
Ticket Machines at the Train Station: Shinkansen tickets can be purchased at self-service ticket machines at most Japanese train stations. The machines have an English-language option, so it’s easy to navigate.
Ticket Counters: These counters, available at major stations, are staffed by English-speaking employees. They can help you choose the best ticket options and routes.
Make sure to keep your paper ticket with you at all times, as you’ll need it to exit the gates upon arrival!
Ticket Price for an Ordinary Car (2nd Class) Ticket
- Tokyo to Kyoto (Nozomi Shinkansen): ¥13,000–¥14,000 (€90–€95 / $95–$100).
- Tokyo to Osaka (Nozomi Shinkansen): ¥14,000 (€95 /$100).
- Tokyo to Hiroshima (Nozomi Shinkansen): ¥19,000 (€130 / $140).
Reserved vs. Non-Reserved Seat Tickets
- Reserved Seats: For an additional cost you can book a reserved seat, which guarantees you a seat on a specific train. This is highly recommended if you’re traveling during peak hours or on long-distance routes, or if you want to have view of Mt. Fuji on your way from Tokyo to Kyoto.
- Price: Typically an additional ¥500–¥1,000 (€3.50–€7 / $4–$8) for a reserved seat
Pro Tip: if you want to get a view of Mt. Fuji on your way to Kyoto, make sure to sit at the right-hand side of the train facing forward
- Non-Reserved Seats: These seats are cheaper but come with the risk that the train compartment of non-reserved seats may be full, especially during rush hours. If you’re traveling at a non-peak time, non-reserved seats may be perfectly fine and you’ll usually find these seats in the first 3 carts of the train. It also offers more flexibility if you’re not sure which train you want to take yet.
Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)
The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a great option if you plan on seeing many places on your trip and don’t want to worry about purchasing tickets for every train ride with the JR service. The pass offers unlimited travel on the JR network, which includes the Shinkansen (except for the fastest Nozomi trains), buses, and even some ferries.
JR Pass Costs:
- 7-Day JR Pass: ¥ 50,000 (€305 / $315).
- 14-Day JR Pass: ¥ 80,000 (€490/ $505).
- 21-Day JR Pass: ¥ 100,000 (€611 / $635).
Where to buy JR Pass
There are two options to buy the JR Pass:
- Official Ticket Website: The easiest way to buy your JR Pass is to do so on the official website. All you need to do after the purchase is show up at one of the eligible JR-ticket offices, show your passport, and then you’ll be presented with your Pass and any seat-reservation tickets you’ve made. You can buy your pass directly on the official JR Rail Pass website.
- Third Party Vendors: Another way to purchase the JR pass is by using a third party website such as Klook. They often offer the JR passes at a slight discount compared to the official website and they’ll send you a so-called Exchange-Offer that you must then present at one of the JR-ticket offices in exchange for your JR-pass. A downside is that you can’t chose your seats in advance online this way, but you’ll still be able to make a seat reservation at the ticket desk or at the machines.
What’s included:
- Unlimited travel on most JR trains, including Shinkansen trains.
(except for Nozomi and Mizuho trains, however you can purchase a surcharge ticket if you want to use them. Check prices here). - Access to some local trains, buses, and ferries (such as the JR Lines within Tokyo and the Miyajima ferry to Miyajima Island near Hiroshima).
- Unlimited travel on most JR trains, including Shinkansen trains.
Important: JR-Pass can only be used by international tourists and must be purchased BEFORE arriving in Japan or at the airport upon arrival. In addition you must show your passport upon claiming the pass and show a valid tourist entry stamp or sticker.
JR-Pass Pros and Cons
The JR pass can be a great solution, however it’s not the best solution for everyone. Let’s look at the pros and cons of using it.
Pros of the JR Pass:
- Cost-Effective for Multiple Journeys in a short amount of time: If you plan on traveling across Japan with several Shinkansen trips (for example, Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima), the JR Pass can save you money. A 7-day JR Pass can pay for itself with a ticket all the way from Tokyo to Fukuoka (Hakata) and back.
- Flexibility: The JR Pass is flexible and allows you to board any JR train without needing to purchase separate tickets.
- Easy: JR Pass holders can use reserved or non-reserved seats on the Shinkansen.
Cons of the JR Pass:
- Not Always Cost-Effective for Short Trips: If you’re only taking a few Shinkansen trips, a single ticket might be cheaper than purchasing a JR Pass. For example, a return ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto is around ¥26,000, which is cheaper than a 7-day pass. Plus you’ll need to squeeze in many trips in a short amount of time, which doesn’t leave much room to explore at your own pace.
- Limited to JR Lines: The JR Pass cannot be used on private railways like the Tokyo Metro or certain local lines in cities.
Local JR Pass
If you’re not traveling extensively by Shinkansen, or if you’ll only be making one or two journeys, you could also consider buying a Local JR Pass (for specific regions). This is especially handy if you plan to stay within a certain region, such as Tokyo or the Tohoku region. This way you won’t overpay to travel a region you’re not visiting while still being able to travel unlimited.
Each region offers their own Local JR Pass and they offer flexible options from 3 to 10 days.
Bonus Shinkansen Train Tips:
- Seat Reservation: If you prefer peace of mind during your journey, it’s best to book a reserved seat in advance, especially for busy travel times (like holidays or weekends). This can be done online, at the ticket desk or ticket machines at the Shinkansen Train stations.
- Luggage: On the Shinkansen, there’s limited space for large luggage. If you have large bags, you can use luggage forwarding services or pay extra to reserve space for large luggage on certain trains. However, most regular sized suit-cases will be able to travel along with you easily. All it requires is a little lifting or limiting your leg space.
- Food and Drinks: You’ll find food vendors onboard the Shinkansen, but bringing your own snacks and drinks is half the fun! Don’t forget to try eki-ben (station bento), a delicious boxed meals available at many stations.
Enjoy the experience!
Traveling with the Shinkansen is a must-do experience when visiting Japan, and not nearly as difficult as it may seem. Also we’ve found the Japanese staff at the train stations very friendly and helpful even with a language barrier. So when in doubt you can always ask for help!
The trains are super accessible and efficient and using them will make your travel around Japan an absolute breeze, so enjoy!
P.s. if you want to have a look at our own Shinkansen adventure than check-out the video below or visit us directly on our Youtube Channel @YesandExplore.
And if you’re looking for the train from Narita Airport to Central Tokyo, then click right here for how to navigate that!
