One of the biggest misconceptions among foreigners visiting Japan for the first time? The idea that a Japan Rail Pass is required to ride the Shinkansen, or bullet train. Not only is a JR Pass not required; it’s no longer useful in most cases, due to a dramatic price increase in late 2023.
So, if you don’t need a pre-paid pass to board a bullet train, then how exactly do you do it? Well, there are a few answers to this question.
Over the next few paragraphs, I’ll explain precisely how to buy Shinkansen tickets, giving you several different options that correspond to a variety of situations. By the time you finish reading, you’ll feel like a bonafide bullet train pro!
You Don’t (Usually) Need to Book Shinkansen Tickets in Advance
One thing that surprises many of my private clients about buying Shinkansen tickets? You often don’t need to do it very far in advance, if you do it in advance at all. Many Japanese travelers (especially solo travelers, and even couples) buy bullet train tickets in-person the day of, sometimes just minutes before departure. This is especially common for people who buy non-reserved tickets, or who don’t care where they sit.
Now obviously, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if you have a large family (or a small family, but with small kids), and it’s essential that you sit together. Additionally, if you’re traveling during a busy time of year (such as cherry blossom season, near the peak of autumn colors or during Japan’s domestic “Golden Week” holiday), I usually recommend booking at least a few days in advance, if at all possible.
5 Ways to Book Shinkansen Tickets
At a JR ticket office
As I mentioned above, the vast majority of Japanese travelers buy same-day Shinkansen tickets at any JR Ticket Office location. Even if the queues are long, they tend to move fast; all staff can speak or at least understand English. Plus, you can pay with a credit card, which isn’t always possible if you avail the next option I’m about to list.
At a Shinkansen ticket vending machine
I’m speaking, of course, about the fact that you can’t always pay for Shinkansen with credit card (well, at leas tnot a foreign credit card) when using a ticket vending machine. This is changing, thankfully (I’ve been able to do so, recently, using both Visa and American Express), but I’ve had many, many cards declined in the past, so be ready for this possibility (and leave some extra time to queue, if necessary!).
Using Eki-net (plus PASMO or Suica)
Although the Eki-net website operated by the JR East company is somewhat clunky, it gets the job done. Even better? If you have an IC card like PASMO or Suica (and ideally, a digital one in your iPhone—or, if you live in Japan, Android device), you can “link” it to your reservation, and enter the Shinkansen turnstiles simply by tapping your phone or card. Easy-peasy!
Using smartEX (plus PASMO or Suica)
Another way to pay for Shinkansen with ApplePay? Using the smartEX website or app, which is admittedly only useful for bullet trains traveling between Tokyo and Kagoshima-chuo. If your plans call for using the Tokaido, Sanyo or Kyushu Shinkansen, however, you can book in seconds using this app—and, if you have a physical or virtual IC card card, “link” your reservation so that you can tap your phone or card to board your train.
Using a third-party website
I usually don’t recommend using third-party websites like Klook to book Shinkansen tickets, even though I earn a commission if you do. And that’s not because they’re anything illegitimate or risky about doing so! Rather, I just try to minimize complications when traveling in Japan; the reality is that having to sift through third-party emails (which usually just contain official JR pick-up numbers or QR codes, anyway) just adds stress to your life.
Do You Need a Japan Rail Pass in 2025?
After having the same price literally for decades, JR Pass prices nearly doubled in late 2023. While I understood the need for this, particularly given the chronic weakness of the yen and the fact that foreigners could often ride trains for less than half of what Japanese people paid, I refuse to deny the underlying reality. Namely, that in all but a few cases, the value proposition of buying a Japan Rail Pass no longer justifies doing so.
Now, there are some silver linings to this. First, picking up your Japan Rail Pass (yes, you do need a physical pass, even in 2025) can often require waiting in a long line, especially if you do it at the airport right after you arrive. Secondly, JR Pass holders need to pay an additional fee every time they use the super-fast Shinkansen Nozomi and Mizuho trains (i.e. the most useful ones), further decreasing the relative value of the pass.
Other FAQ About Buying Shinkansen Tickets
Should I buy Shinkansen tickets in advance?
You can buy Shinkansen tickets in advance, though this is usually not necessary. In general, I only recommend pre-purchasing bullet train tickets if you’re traveling during a very busy time (such as cherry blossom or autumn color season), or if you’re traveling with friends or family and absolutely insist upon sitting together.
What is the legit Shinkansen website?
There are a few “official” outlets for buying Shinkansen tickets, which vary depending upon which bullet train lines you’ll be using. Travelers along Japan’s main tourist trail can typically use the smartEX application, available on the Apple and Google app stores. If you’re traveling to Tohoku or Hokkaido, meanwhile, use JR East’s Eki-net website.
How to buy Shinkansen tickets for foreigners?
Foreigners can buy Shinkansen tickets in exactly the same way as Japanese travelers; we are simply sometimes not as well-versed in the methodology. The vast majority of foreign travelers can simply queue up at a JR ticket office (or, if they’re comfortable, a vending machine) and buy tickets on the day-of, or sometimes the day before. However, various online tools also exist, including the smartEX app and the official Japan Rail Pass website, if you’ve purchased a pass (though I usually no longer recommend doing so these days).
The Bottom Line
Curious about how to buy Shinkansen tickets? Hopefully, I’ve just answered all your questions. In the best scenario, you’ll have a compatible device and a high enough level of technical acumen to board the Shinkansen simply by tapping your mobile phone. In the worst-case scenario, you can do like most Japanese people do, and queue up inside a railway station to purchase bullet train tickets from a real-life human. Need personalized help figuring out transportation on your next trip to Japan. When you hire me to plan a custom Japan itinerary, I take care of getting you from Point A, to Point B, to Point C, to Point…well, you get the point!
