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    How to

    How to book shinkansen tickets online

    Booking shinkansen tickets online is easy once you know which website to use. Here is how to do it from your home country or from Japan.

    01

    Where to book

    • Smart EX: best for Tokaido and Sanyo shinkansen, takes foreign cards and links to a JR Pass.
    • JR East Train Reservation: Tohoku, Hokkaido, Joetsu and Hokuriku lines.
    • JR West Online Train Reservation: Hokuriku from Kansai and Sanyo from Kyushu.
    02

    Booking step by step

    • Create a free account on the chosen JR site.
    • Choose your route, date and train type.
    • Pick a seat from the seat map.
    • Pay with a credit card, or add your JR Pass number and skip payment.
    • Collect the printed ticket at any JR ticket machine in Japan, or use a QR code on supported routes.
    03

    When to book

    Reservations open one month before the date of travel at 10:00 Japan time. For cherry blossom week, autumn colours and the New Year period, popular trains sell out within hours.

    Frequently asked questions

    Quick answers to common questions.

    Can I book shinkansen tickets before arriving in Japan?

    Yes. Smart EX and the JR East and JR West sites all accept foreign credit cards and JR Pass details.

    Do I save money booking online?

    Smart EX has small online discounts. With a JR Pass, online booking is free for any covered train.

    What if I miss my train?

    Most reserved tickets can be used as non reserved on the next available train of the same type.

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