Shinkansen Guide 2025: How to Buy Tickets, Board Trains, and Tips

Explore Japan Using the Shinkansen

Picture courtesy of JR Tokai

The Shinkansen bullet train is the most commonly used mode of transportation for long-distance travel within Japan. By taking the Shinkansen, you can enjoy a comfortable seat and arrive at your destination in a short time.

To ride the Shinkansen, you first need to purchase a ticket. This article summarizes the types of Shinkansen and tickets, as well as important points to consider before purchasing a ticket.

Shinkansen Guide 2025

1. Shinkansen Route Map: Lines and Train Types
2. Types of Seats on the Shinkansen
- Types of Shinkansen Tickets
- Regulations on Bringing Oversized Baggage onto the Shinkansen
3. How to Buy Shinkansen Tickets Online
- For Tokyo and Eastern Japan
- For Osaka, Kyoto, and Western Japan
- For Tokyo - Osaka Routes
- For Traveling Around Japan
4. How to Purchase Tickets at the Station
5. How to Board the Shinkansen
6. In-Train Services on the Shinkansen

1. Shinkansen Route Map: Lines and Train Types

This is the map of Shinkansen lines in Japan. The Shinkansen network is constantly expanding, with the latest addition being the Kanazawa - Tsuruga interval on the Hokuriku Line, which began operation in April 2024.

Check the area you wish to visit and which Shinkansen line you need to take before purchasing your ticket.

Shinkansen Line	Train Names
Hokkaido Shinkansen (Blue Section)	Hayabusa, Hayate
Tohoku Shinkansen (Yamagata/Akita Shinkansen, Red Section)	Hayabusa, Hayate, Yamabiko, Nasuno, Komachi (Akita Shinkansen), Tsubasa (Yamagata Shinkansen)
Joetsu Shinkansen (Pink Section)	Toki, Tanigawa
Hokuriku Shinkansen (Purple Section)	Kagayaki, Hakutaka, Asama, Tsurugi
Tokaido Shinkansen (Light Green Section)	Nozomi, Hikari, Kodama
Sanyo Shinkansen (Green Section)	Mizuho, Nozomi, Sakura, Hikari, Kodama
Kyushu Shinkansen (Yellow Section)	Mizuho, Sakura, Tsubame
Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen (Orange Section)	Kamome

2. Types of Seats on the Shinkansen

Picture courtesy of JR Tokai

There are four types of seats on the Shinkansen: Reserved Seats, Non-Reserved Seats, Green Car, and Gran Class.

Reserved Seats

Reserved Seats allow you to secure your seat at the time of ticket purchase, so there’s no worry about not having a seat.

If your travel date and route are already determined, we recommend reserved seats for a stress-free experience.

Non-Reserved Seats

Depending on the Shinkansen you take, typically the first three cars are designated as Non-Reserved Seats.

If you purchase a ticket for non-reserved seating, you can sit in any seat within those cars. The price is about 500 yen cheaper than reserved seats.

Tickets for non-reserved seats do not guarantee a seat. During peak travel times, such as year-end and New Year holidays or Golden Week, it is common for these cars to be fully booked, and you may end up standing for your journey.

In some Shinkansen trains, there may be no non-reserved seats available, only reserved seats. Therefore, it’s important to check the specific Shinkansen for your route in advance.

Green Car Seats

Green Cars have fewer seats and are several thousand yen more expensive than reserved seats, but they offer wider seating, allowing for a comfortable and quiet experience.

Gran Class Seats

Gran Class seats are only available on the Tohoku Shinkansen, Hokkaido Shinkansen (E5 and H5 series), Hokuriku Shinkansen, and Joetsu Shinkansen (E7 and W7 series).

This premium service features luxurious interiors, excellent service, and comfortable amenities. The seats are wider compared to Green Car seats, providing a comfortable ride even for long journeys.

Types of Shinkansen Tickets

To ride the Shinkansen, you need two types of tickets: a Base Fare Ticket and a Limited Express Ticket.

The Base Fare Ticket is necessary for traveling between the boarding station and the disembarking station, while the Limited Express Ticket is required to ride the limited express trains.

Unlike general travel passes, when you purchase a one-way ticket for a limited express train like the Shinkansen, two tickets are issued: the base fare ticket and the limited express ticket (although they can sometimes be combined into one).

Therefore, when you board and the staff checks your tickets, please present both the base fare ticket and the limited express ticket together, as shown in the photo.

Regulations on Bringing Oversized Baggage onto the Shinkansen

Starting from May 2020, if you are using the Shinkansen, any luggage with a combined total of length, width, and height between 160 centimeters and 250 centimeters (similar to the size of checked baggage on international flights) requires a reservation in advance.

There are designated luggage areas available (strollers are also permitted).

If you do not make a reservation in advance, a fee of 1,000 yen will be charged. Additionally, luggage exceeding the specified size cannot be brought into the cabin.

When bringing large luggage, be sure to reserve a seat with Oversized Baggage Space or an Oversized Baggage Corner. Reservations can be made online or at ticket machines at the station.

Additionally, the Oversized Baggage Corner located next to the restroom in the car is positioned away from the seats and is equipped with a locking mechanism.

To lock this space, you can use a non-contact IC card, such as Suica, Welsome Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA. On some trains, the locking system requires the use of a smartphone.

*Please note that oversized luggage cannot be brought into non-reserved seats or certain reserved train cars that do not have the Oversized Baggage Space or the Oversized Baggage Corner available.

3. How to Buy Shinkansen Tickets Online

Photo by Pixta
In Japan, during peak travel periods such as the year-end and New Year holidays, Golden Week, and mid-August during the Obon holiday, as well as public holidays, the Shinkansen can become very crowded.

Since reserved seats may sell out or be unavailable, it is recommended to make early reservations.

To reserve your Shinkansen tickets online, you can use a booking site like KLOOK or the official Shinkansen online reservation app.

Book on KLOOK for Mt. Fuji Views and Electronic QR Code Tickets

Seat reservation window on Klook

If you travel between Tokyo and Osaka and want to secure Shinkansen tickets for window seats with Mount Fuji views, then we recommend booking your tickets on KLOOK with no additional charge.

As of January 2025, it is also possible to register your oversized luggage through the KLOOK booking site.

Moreover, you can also opt for QR code Shinkansen tickets that make it possible to board the train without a physical ticket.

If Your Destination is Tokyo or Eastern Japan

When traveling between Tokyo and Osaka, a great option is the Platt Kodama. The reserved seats in the Kodama ordinary car can be purchased starting at 11,200 yen.

Reservations can be made from 10 AM one month before the travel date (on the same date of the previous month).

Please note that after making a reservation online, you will need to pick up your ticket at the station's Midori no Madoguchi (JR Ticket Office) or at a ticket machine. It’s advisable to retrieve your ticket in advance at the station or to allow yourself enough time to pick it up on the day of travel.

For other tickets, please check the official JR East website: https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?src=pcbp
*A user registration (free of charge) is required for purchases.

Additionally, there are affordable free passes available for foreign visitors, covering areas such as Tohoku, Hokuriku, Nagano, and Niigata. Please check the links below for more information and take advantage of these offers!

If Your Destination is Osaka-Kyoto and Western Japan

Similar to the Eastern Japan area, when traveling between Tokyo and Osaka, you can purchase reserved seats on the Kodama for 11,200 yen through the Platt Kodama service.

Additionally, there is a convenient service for making reservations for the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kagoshima-Chuo called the Smart EX.

If you purchase an electronic ticket with Smart EX in advance, you can simply tap your smartphone at the ticket gate on the day of travel to board the train.

Smart EX:
https://smart-ex.jp/en/lp/app/

For more information about other tickets, please check the official JR West website: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/

In addition, for tourists visiting Western Japan, there are many great free passes available for enjoying destinations such as Nagoya, Hiroshima, and Kyoto:

Traveling Between Eastern and Western Japan

If you are traveling from Tokyo to Osaka or Kyoto and then returning from Osaka or Kyoto back to Tokyo, we recommend using the JR Hokuriku Arch Pass for 7 consecutive days.

With this pass, you can take the limited express Hayabusa to Kanazawa, and then ride the Hokuriku Shinkansen back to Tokyo. This pass allows for extensive travel across a wide area and is cheaper than the JR Pass.

When Traveling Around Japan

When you want to travel around various regions in Japan, the JAPAN RAIL PASS is highly recommended for foreign tourists. This pass allows unlimited travel on Shinkansen and limited express trains for 7 days at a cost of around 50,000 yen.

The one-way fare for a reserved seat on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka is 14,450 yen, making the JR Pass very convenient for long-distance travel while saving time.

However, please note that the pass does not grant access to all Shinkansen services.

For example, if you want to ride the Nozomi, which is the fastest Shinkansen between Tokyo and Hakata, you will need to purchase an additional ticket and a limited express ticket. Therefore, you would need to use either the Hikari or Kodama bullet trains instead.

However, starting from October 1, 2023, a special ticket called the Japan Rail Pass Nozomi/Mizuho Use Ticket has been introduced, allowing holders of the JAPAN RAIL PASS to ride the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen trains.

By purchasing this additional ticket, you will have more options for travel, enabling you to plan your trip more flexibly.

In order to buy the JAPAN RAIL PASS, you first need to purchase a voucher from designated sales agents in your home country. Once you arrive in Japan, you'll exchange your voucher for the pass at a designated exchange location.

The JR Pass is also available for purchase at major stations and airports across the country. For more details, please visit the official website.

4. How to Purchase Tickets at the Station

JR Ticket Office at Ueno Station

You can directly purchase Shinkansen tickets at the Midori no Madoguchi (JR Ticket Office) or through automatic ticket vending machines.

Advantages: Since station staff assist you, there is a sense of security.

Disadvantages: You may have to wait in long lines, and depending on the station, there may be limited support for multiple languages.

When purchasing tickets at the JR Ticket Office, a specialized staff member will assist you.

For foreign visitors who may not understand Japanese, it is helpful to prepare a note in advance that includes your departure station, travel time, and preferred seating type. By simply presenting this note at the counter, you can easily purchase your ticket.

Additionally, if your travel time and route are already determined, you can buy reserved seats. This eliminates any worries about competing for seats or the possibility of not being able to sit down.

If you prefer not to wait in line at the JR Ticket Office, you can also purchase tickets using the automatic ticket vending machines.

These machines are user-friendly and available in multiple languages, making the process quick and convenient for travelers.

To ensure a smooth operation, it’s advisable to jot down your travel route, date, and preferred seat type in advance. This preparation will make the ticket purchasing process easier and more efficient.

It is also possible to book your ticket online and then pick it up at a JR Ticket Office of your choice. The online booking procedure is as follows:

First, register an account on the reservation website. Next, select the Shinkansen you wish to use, choose between unreserved or reserved seating, and then select the seat location and number of passengers.

Remember tat you will need to collect your ticket at the Midori no Madoguchi or from a ticket vending machine after making your reservation. Simply making an online reservation is not sufficient. If you can't pick up the ticket in advance, you can go directly to the station on the day of departure to collect it.

How to Board the Shinkansen

At the Shinkansen stations, there are dedicated Shinkansen ticket gates, which are different from the regular train entry points. To pass through the ticket gate, simply insert your purchased ticket into the gate.

Check the electronic display board for the departure time and destination before heading to the platform. If you have a free seating ticket, make sure to confirm which car has free seating and line up to wait for that car's arrival.

Near the ticket gates, there are often shops selling bento boxes and beverages, so it's a good idea to purchase some refreshments before boarding. Additionally, food and drink are also available for purchase on the Shinkansen itself.

5. Excellent Onboard Services on the Shinkansen

Modern Shinkansen trains offer a variety of convenient services, including dining cars, power outlets, WiFi, luggage storage areas, and restrooms equipped with changing tables.

Onboard Wagon Sales on the Shinkansen

Currently, some Shinkansen cars offer a mobile wagon sales service. You can purchase snacks, light meals, beverages, and various Shinkansen merchandise from this service.

Power Outlets

Most Shinkansen seats are equipped with power outlets, allowing you to charge electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops. You can conveniently use the power outlet available at your seat during your journey.

WiFi

When you turn on the Wi-Fi function on your electronic devices, you can access the Shinkansen Free WiFi service. To use it, simply register your email for free Wi-Fi access.

Depending on the train car, the WiFi connection may disconnect after 30 minutes or one hour, after which you will need to reconnect.

Bringing Large Luggage onto the Shinkansen

Currently, there are designated areas at the front and rear of the cars for larger luggage. If you plan to bring large bags, it is advisable to choose seats located towards the front or back of the car.

Diaper Changing Toilets

Some train cars are equipped with multifunctional restrooms that have facilities for changing diapers. This provides a more convenient environment for those traveling with children.

Main image by Pixta