The shinkansen (bullet train) network is one of Japan’s great achievements — fast, punctual, and comfortable. This guide covers everything residents and long-stay visitors need to know about booking and riding Japan’s high-speed trains.
Shinkansen Lines Overview
Japan Rail (JR) operates several main shinkansen lines covering the country:
- Tokaido Shinkansen — Tokyo to Osaka (Shin-Osaka) via Nagoya; the busiest route in the world
- Sanyo Shinkansen — Shin-Osaka to Hakata (Fukuoka); continues west from Tokaido
- Tohoku Shinkansen — Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto (Hokkaido) via Sendai and Morioka
- Hokuriku Shinkansen — Tokyo to Tsuruga (near Kyoto) via Kanazawa
- Joetsu Shinkansen — Tokyo to Niigata
- Kyushu Shinkansen — Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo
- Nagasaki Shinkansen (Nishikyushu) — Hakata to Nagasaki (partial line as of 2022)
Train Classes
Shinkansen trains offer different seat types:
- Jiyuseki (自由席) — Unreserved seating; first come, first served; slightly cheaper
- Shiteiseki (指定席) — Reserved seating; specific seat assigned; same price as unreserved on many routes
- Green Car (グリーン車) — Business class equivalent; wider seats, more legroom; premium surcharge
- Gran Class — Available on some Tohoku/Hokuriku trains; aircraft first-class style seating
For peak travel (Golden Week, Obon, New Year), always reserve seats in advance — unreserved cars fill up.
How to Buy Tickets
Ticket Vending Machines (みどりの券売機)
JR stations have “Midori no Madoguchi” (green window) counters and self-service ticket machines. The machines at major stations often have English language options. You can purchase same-day and advance tickets. Payment: cash, IC card, or credit card depending on the machine.
Online Booking
- JR Tokai’s EX-IC / EX-Press — For Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen; online booking via smartphone; board by tapping IC card or QR code
- JR East’s ekinet — For Tohoku/Joetsu/Hokuriku; online booking; print tickets or use smartphone
- Smart EX — Foreign credit card compatible alternative to EX-IC for Tokaido/Sanyo
At the Station Counter
You can book at any JR “Midori no Madoguchi” (green window) counter up to a month in advance. Staff at major stations speak some English. Bring your IC card or specify payment method.
Rail Passes for Residents
The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is marketed at foreign tourists and requires “temporary visitor” visa status — most residents on long-stay visas cannot purchase it. However, alternatives exist:
- Regional JR Passes — West Japan, Kyushu, Hokkaido, and Tohoku regional passes; some available to residents
- Seishun 18 Kippu (青春18きっぷ) — Five-day pass for unlimited local/rapid JR trains only (not shinkansen); seasonal; excellent value for multi-city exploration
- EX-IC Discount Programs — Registered cardholders get discounted shinkansen fares on Tokaido/Sanyo routes
Using IC Cards on Shinkansen
IC cards (Suica, ICOCA, etc.) cannot be used to pay shinkansen fares by tapping — they are only for local trains, buses, and shops. However:
- EX-IC and Smart EX link your IC card to your reservation; you board by tapping the card at the shinkansen gate
- You still need a separate reservation; the IC card is the boarding medium, not the payment
Luggage Rules
As of 2020, Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen have oversized luggage rules:
- Luggage exceeding 160cm total dimensions requires a “Special Seat Service” reservation (free if reserved in advance, ¥1,000 fee if not)
- Designated “large luggage spaces” at the back of certain cars
- Smaller items and carry-on sized bags: no restrictions
Practical Tips for Residents
- Book early for peak seasons — Golden Week (late April–early May), Obon (mid-August), New Year (late December–early January)
- Unreserved cars on off-peak weekdays — Fine for short trips; not recommended for 2+ hour journeys
- Smoking carriages — Some trains have designated smoking compartments; check at booking
- Food on board — Eating bento (駅弁) is accepted on shinkansen; avoid strong-smelling food
- Punctuality — The average delay is seconds per year; plan connecting trains with confidence
- Nozomi vs Hikari vs Kodama — On Tokaido line: Nozomi is fastest (fewest stops), Hikari is mid, Kodama stops everywhere; JR Pass holders cannot use Nozomi
Cost Examples (Approximate)
Prices vary by service type and season. As a general guide (unreserved, standard class, non-pass):
- Tokyo → Nagoya (Nozomi): approx. ¥10,560
- Tokyo → Kyoto/Osaka (Nozomi): approx. ¥13,320–¥13,870
- Tokyo → Sendai (Hayabusa): approx. ¥10,890
- Osaka → Fukuoka (Nozomi): approx. ¥14,650
Prices subject to change. Verify current fares at JR ticket offices or official JR websites at time of travel.
For residents commuting between cities, employer commuter passes (定期券) may cover shinkansen if your company approves it — check your employment contract and HR policy.