- How to buy Shinkansen tickets (at the station and online)
- Reserved vs unreserved seats: when to book which
- The JR Pass: is it worth it for foreigners in Japan?
- IC card (Suica/PASMO) and Shinkansen: can you use them?
- How to save money on Shinkansen travel
- Key routes and travel times between major cities
Shinkansen tickets can be bought at JR station ticket machines (some have English), at ticket windows (みどりの窓口), via the Eki-Net app (Japanese), or EX-IC app (for Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen). IC cards (Suica/PASMO) cannot be used for Shinkansen travel — you need a separate Shinkansen ticket. The JR Pass is worth it if you make 3+ long-distance trips within 7–21 days.
The Shinkansen (bullet train) is Japan’s most impressive piece of infrastructure — and learning to use it efficiently saves significant time and money for foreigners living in or visiting Japan.
Key Routes and Prices
| Route | Travel Time | Regular Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Osaka (Shin-Osaka) | ~2h30m | ¥13,870 (reserved) |
| Tokyo → Kyoto | ~2h20m | ¥13,320 (reserved) |
| Tokyo → Nagoya | ~1h40m | ¥10,560 (reserved) |
| Tokyo → Hiroshima | ~3h45m | ¥17,890 (reserved) |
| Tokyo → Fukuoka (Hakata) | ~4h50m | ¥22,220 (reserved) |
| Osaka → Fukuoka (Hakata) | ~2h20m | ¥10,370 (reserved) |
| Tokyo → Sapporo (Hokkaido Shinkansen) | ~4h30m | ¥22,690 (reserved) |
Types of Shinkansen Tickets
1. Reserved Seat (指定席 / Shiteiseki)
- You book a specific seat in advance
- Recommended for: peak travel periods (Golden Week, Obon, New Year), weekends, holiday travel
- Can be booked up to 1 month in advance
2. Unreserved Seat (自由席 / Jiyuseki)
- First-come, first-served seating in designated “free seat” cars
- Cheaper by ~¥500–1,000 than reserved
- Risky on holidays and Friday evenings — you may stand the entire way
- Good for: weekday travel, off-peak hours
3. Green Car (グリーン車)
- First-class seating — wider seats, more legroom
- Premium cost: ¥2,000–5,000 above reserved price
- Worth considering for long journeys (Tokyo → Fukuoka)
4. Gran Class (グランクラス)
- Super first-class on Hokuriku Shinkansen and some Tohoku Shinkansen
- Seats recline to near-flat, meals included
- Premium cost: ¥6,000–12,000 above reserved
- Exceptional for the overnight-equivalent comfort factor
How to Buy Shinkansen Tickets
Option 1: Ticket Vending Machines (at stations)
- Midori no Madoguchi machines (green machines) — ticket purchases and changes
- English language option available
- Can buy same-day or future tickets
Steps:
- Select “Shinkansen” on the touch screen
- Select departure station, destination, date, and train
- Select seat type (reserved/unreserved/green)
- Pay (cash, IC card balance, or credit card)
- Collect physical tickets
Option 2: Ticket Windows (みどりの窓口)
- Staff-assisted ticket purchase
- English: limited but possible — write destination and date on paper if needed
- Available at all major JR stations
Option 3: Eki-Net (オンライン予約)
- JR East’s online booking system
- Japanese interface only — use Google Translate
- 10–35% early-bird discounts on select trains (eきっぷ / Tokudane tickets)
- Best for: regular Japan residents who can navigate Japanese
Option 4: EX-IC / Smart-EX (Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen)
- For Tokaido (Tokyo-Osaka) and Sanyo (Osaka-Fukuoka) lines
- Foreigner-friendly English option available for Smart-EX
- Board using IC card — no physical ticket needed
- Discounts vs window prices
Option 5: JR Pass (Tourists/Travelers)
See JR Pass section below.
Can I Use My Suica/PASMO IC Card for the Shinkansen?
No — IC cards cannot be used for Shinkansen fares. Shinkansen requires a separate ticket. However:
- You can use Suica/PASMO to pass through ticket gates (tap in, tap out)
- On Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen with EX-IC: you use your IC card as the boarding credential (linking it to your EX reservation)
- Regular local JR trains: Suica/PASMO works normally
The JR Pass: Is It Worth It?
The JR Pass allows unlimited travel on most JR trains (including most Shinkansen) for 7, 14, or 21 days.
2025 JR Pass Prices (Ordinary class, 2025 rates):
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 7 days | ¥50,000 |
| 14 days | ¥80,000 |
| 21 days | ¥100,000 |
Note: JR Pass prices increased significantly in 2023. The math has changed.
When the JR Pass Is Worth It
Calculate your planned journeys:
- Tokyo → Kyoto (¥13,320) + Kyoto → Hiroshima (¥10,160) + Hiroshima → Fukuoka (¥5,700) = ¥29,180 → already ~60% of 7-day pass cost
A 7-day pass pays off if you’re making at least 3–4 long-distance Shinkansen journeys within the period.
When the JR Pass Is NOT Worth It
- If you’re based in one city for most of your trip
- If you’re only making 1–2 long-distance journeys
- If you mainly use private rail lines (JR Pass doesn’t cover Kintetsu, Hankyu, etc.)
For long-term Japan residents: The JR Pass is generally NOT the right tool — it’s designed for short-term tourist itineraries. Regular residents buy individual tickets and use EX-IC, Eki-Net discounts, or regional rail passes.
Important JR Pass Restriction
The JR Pass does NOT cover the fastest Nozomi (のぞみ) or Mizuho (みずほ) trains on the Tokaido/Sanyo line. You must use Hikari (ひかり) or Kodama (こだま) — which are slower. For Tokyo-Osaka, this means ~3h on Hikari vs 2h30m on Nozomi.
How to Save Money on Shinkansen
1. Book Early Bird Tickets (Eki-Net)
JR East offers “Tokudane” (特だね) and “eきっぷ” tickets via Eki-Net that can be 20–35% cheaper than walk-up prices. Book at least 7–14 days ahead.
2. Use Smart-EX for Tokaido/Sanyo
Smart-EX members get a ¥200 discount per person per journey — small but adds up for frequent travelers.
3. Travel Unreserved (Off-Peak)
Weekday travel on unreserved seats is ¥500–1,000 cheaper and typically seats are available.
4. Consider Express Buses (高速バス)
For routes like Tokyo-Osaka or Tokyo-Fukuoka, overnight express buses cost ¥3,000–8,000 — dramatically cheaper than Shinkansen. Travel time is 8–10 hours (overnight). Budget travelers and those with flexible schedules often choose this over Shinkansen.
Practical Tips
Arriving on time: Shinkansen leave exactly on time — to the second. Arrive at the platform at least 5 minutes before departure.
Finding your car: Car numbers are displayed on the platform floor. Your reserved ticket shows the car number (号車). Stand in the marked area for your car.
Luggage: Large luggage (over 30cm x 50cm x 80cm combined) requires reserved baggage space at the back of specific cars. Book this when buying reserved tickets for long-distance travel with large bags.
Phone charging: Modern Shinkansen cars (N700 series and newer) have outlets in reserved seats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I buy Shinkansen tickets in English? Buy at Shinkansen ticket machines (English language available), at ticket windows (show a written note with your destination and date), or via Smart-EX online (English option). International credit cards are accepted at most ticket machines.
Is the JR Pass worth buying in 2025? It depends on your itinerary. With 2023 price increases, the pass pays off for tourists making 3–4 long-distance journeys in 7 days. For individual long-term residents who travel occasionally, buying individual tickets with Eki-Net discounts is usually cheaper.
Can I use Suica on the Shinkansen? Not directly — Suica pays your fare for regular JR trains and subway, but Shinkansen requires a separate ticket. On the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen, linking your IC card to EX-IC/Smart-EX lets you board using your IC card (tapping), but you still need a paid reservation.