Reserve a Shinkansen
Book Shinkansen tickets while checking official sites, counters, and pickup rules.
Official information checked: 2026-07
How to buy Shinkansen tickets
Compare official websites, station counters, ticket machines, and the JAPAN RAIL PASS before you choose how to buy.
1JR-EAST Train ReservationBook JR East-area Shinkansen online
A multilingual online reservation service operated by JR East for visitors to Japan.
- Use it mainly for JR East-area routes such as the Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku, and Hokkaido Shinkansen.
- The service supports English and several other languages, including Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.
What you need
- Departure and arrival stations
- Travel date and preferred time
- Number of passengers and seat type
- Payment card
- Pickup QR code or reservation number
- It does not cover the Tokaido, Sanyo, or Kyushu Shinkansen. For Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima-Hakata routes, check other JR services or station counters.
2Midori-no-madoguchi ticket officeBuy with help from station staff
A staffed ticket counter where you can ask about routes, dates, times, and seats.
- Look for a green sign and the logo showing a person seated at a counter.
- This is useful for complex transfers, rail-pass questions, changes, or refunds.
What you need
- Destination station
- Travel date and preferred time
- Number of passengers
- Non-reserved, reserved, or Green Car preference
- Payment method
- Passport or rail pass if using a pass
- In JR Central areas, the sign may say "JR Ticket Office" or "JR全線きっぷうりば" instead. Hours and availability vary by station.
3Ticket machinesBuy or pick up tickets yourself
Reserved-seat ticket machines can sell base-fare and Shinkansen express tickets and issue reserved tickets.
- Many machines have a Language button so you can switch to English.
- Follow the screen to select route, date, train, and seat, then pay by cash or card where supported.
What you need
- Departure and arrival stations
- Travel date and time
- Cash or supported card
- QR code or reservation number for online pickup
- The same purchase card if required
- Supported languages and payment methods vary by railway company, station, and machine. Show the screen to staff if unsure.
4JAPAN RAIL PASSFor multi-city rail trips
A nationwide rail pass jointly offered by the six JR Group companies for eligible overseas visitors.
- Choose Standard Car or Green Car, each available for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days.
- If purchased on the official website, reserved seats can be booked online before pickup. After pickup, you can scan the pass QR code at reserved-seat ticket machines to issue reserved-seat tickets.
What you need
- Passport
- Exchange order or official website purchase details
- Start date
- Route, date, time, and train for reserved seats
- Pass or QR code
- As of July 2026, official prices are Standard Car: 7 days ¥50,000, 14 days ¥80,000, 21 days ¥100,000; Green Car: 7 days ¥70,000, 14 days ¥110,000, 21 days ¥140,000.
- NOZOMI and MIZUHO are not covered by the pass alone. A special additional ticket is required if you use them.
Tips
- For Shinkansen travel, you need both a base fare ticket and a limited express ticket. They may be printed together on one ticket or separately as two tickets.
- Non-reserved seats do not assign a specific seat. You can sit in an open non-reserved car seat, but you may have to stand when trains are busy. Reserved seats assign a train, car, and seat number, which is easier for first-time visitors or travelers with large luggage.
- Online booking services differ by route. Do not mix up services for the Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen with services for the Tohoku/Joetsu/Hokuriku/Hokkaido Shinkansen.
- Even after buying online, you may still need to pick up paper tickets at the station. Pickup may require a reservation number, QR code, the credit card used for purchase, or your passport.
- Some overseas-issued cards fail because of authentication or card-issuer restrictions. If payment does not work, try another card, a station counter, or a reserved-seat ticket machine.
Useful Japanese phrases
Finding a ticket machine
新幹線のチケットの券売機はどこですか。
Shinkansen no chiketto no kenbaiki wa doko desu ka.
Where is the ticket machine for Shinkansen tickets?
Finding the ticket office
みどりの窓口はどこですか。
Midori no madoguchi wa doko desu ka.
Where is the Midori-no-madoguchi ticket office?
Finding the Shinkansen gate
新幹線の改札はどこですか。
Shinkansen no kaisatsu wa doko desu ka.
Where is the Shinkansen ticket gate?
Official sources
Useful next guides
Arriving in and Leaving Japan
Use Visit Japan Web, navigate arrival procedures, choose an IC card, and prepare tax-free goods and security for departure.
When Your Train Stops or Is Delayed
Check service status, ask station staff, confirm alternate transport, and contact bookings in order.
From Airports to Major Areas
Use simple maps to choose routes from Haneda, Narita, Kansai, Chubu, and Fukuoka airports.
How to Ride a Shinkansen
Check gates, platforms, car numbers, and your stop in order.