Want to ride the Shinkansen in Japan without waiting in long lines to buy tickets? Smart EX is by far the easiest and most convenient way to book! You can reserve seats in advance and board using just a QR code or an IC card—no need to deal with paper tickets at the station. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to book your Shinkansen tickets with Smart EX, what to watch out for, where to save money, and some bonus platform tips.

How to Book Shinkansen Tickets with Smart EX

Smart EX is the official online booking system for the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. Once you create an account, you can book tickets online and choose to use a QR code, your IC card, or pick up a physical ticket at the station. Everything can be done right from the Smart EX app or website.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Smart EX

Let’s walk through the booking process using the Smart EX website.

Go to the Smart EX official website. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to create one. Once logged in, you’ll see the reservation page. You can start your booking from either “Search for Trains” (列車を検索) or “Reserve Non-reserved Seats” (自由席を予約). If you want a reserved seat, use the red “Search for Trains” button. That’s what we’ll be using for this example.

After selecting “Search for Trains,” you’ll arrive at the options screen. Here you can input: ① travel date, ② preferred departure time, ③ whether your time is the departure or arrival time, ④ departure and ⑤ arrival stations, ⑥ one-way or round-trip, ⑦ number of adults and children, ⑧ seat preferences, and ⑨ additional filters like direct trains only or only non-reserved seat options.

Customize the options to fit your travel needs.

After searching, you’ll see a list of available trains that match your criteria. In our example, we looked for a train from Tokyo to Shin-Kobe departing at 8:40 AM. The site then listed six trains departing after that time. If you’re not happy with the results, you can go back and change your settings.

We picked the 9:00 AM Nozomi. Compared to Hikari and Kodama, Nozomi makes fewer stops and gets you there faster. On the detail screen, you can choose between reserved seats (which guarantee a seat) or non-reserved seats (first-come, first-served within designated cars). Green Car options (premium class) are also available. Smart EX sometimes offers discounts, like the “EX Early Bird 3” deal which gives about 15% off when you book Green Car seats three days in advance.

Click the appropriate button to reserve. In this case, we selected a regular reserved seat. You can either choose “No Seat Preference” or “Select From Seat Map.”

If you choose to select from the seat map, you’ll get a layout like this. Seats with circles are available. Note that on westbound trains from Tokyo to Kobe, E-row window seats often offer views of Mt. Fuji on a clear day—so they fill up fast!

Fun fact: when traveling from the Kansai area to Tokyo, the train doesn’t reverse; instead, the seats rotate. So E-row still gives you that Mt. Fuji view!

After selecting your seat, click OK to confirm. Double-check your train, seat, and price. If all looks good, click OK again to pay. Smart EX accepts major credit cards including VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, and Discover—even those issued outside Japan.

If you selected non-reserved seating, you won’t be prompted to choose seats. Just confirm and proceed. You can ride any non-reserved car on the selected day.

You’ll also get a final confirmation screen. While you picked a 9:00 AM departure, if you get to the station earlier, you can board an earlier non-reserved seat train, like the 8:48 AM.

After paying, your reservation is complete. You can link your booking to an IC card, which lets you go straight through the gates—no paper ticket needed. Just select “Specify Boarding IC Card.”

On the next screen, choose a registered IC card or add a new one. Cards like Suica and ICOCA are compatible.

Click “Next” and confirm the card number. Then hit “Confirm” to finish linking.

This screen confirms your IC card has been successfully linked.

How do I pick up tickets booked via Smart EX?

If you’re using a QR code or registered IC card, you can head straight through the ticket gates without lining up at the machine. But if you need a physical ticket, you can pick it up at ticket machines in JR Central (Tokai), JR West, or JR Kyushu areas — stations like Nagoya, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka all have machines that support this. Check out the image below for reference:

If you’re in Tokyo, you can also collect your tickets from JR East’s “Shitei-seki Kenbaiki” (reserved seat ticket machines) in areas like Tokyo’s 23 wards, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Odawara, and Atami. But note: you cannot pick up tickets booked through Smart EX at JR East ticket counters — which covers everything from Tokyo up through the Tohoku and Hokkaido regions.

Smart EX also has a mobile app with all the same features as the website. You can check train times, book and change seats in real time, and it supports multiple languages — perfect for international travelers.

Smart EX App: https://smart-ex.jp/en/app/download/index.html

Shinkansen FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

Are there platforms besides Smart EX?

Yes! You’ll find Shinkansen tickets available on third-party sites like Klook or Rakuten Travel. Many travelers find these platforms easier to use and appreciate the frequent discounts. You can book online and pick up your tickets in Japan using a QR code at a ticket machine — the process is quite simple.

However, note that different JR companies operate different Shinkansen lines. For example, the Tokaido Shinkansen is run by JR Central, while the Tohoku Shinkansen is operated by JR East. Each company has its own ticketing system, so make sure you’re booking through the correct platform depending on the route you’re taking.

Should I reserve a seat in advance?

Short answer: yes! While some trains have non-reserved cars, we highly recommend booking a seat ahead of time — especially during holidays, peak seasons, or when you’re traveling with others. You don’t want to end up standing for hours. For certain trains like the Hayabusa on the Tohoku line, the Komachi on the Akita line, or the Kagayaki on the Hokuriku line, all seats are reserved — no seat, no ride.

During major holidays like New Year, Golden Week (April 27–May 6), or Obon (August 11–20), even trains that normally offer non-reserved seats may switch to “all reserved seating.”

Seat reservations typically open one month before departure, starting at 10:00 AM. The earlier you book, the better. With Smart EX, you can even reserve up to a year in advance — great for long-term planners.

Also, if you’re carrying large luggage, you may need to book a seat with extra space. Many trains now require a reservation for “large luggage areas,” or you risk being asked to stand or stow your suitcase in an inconvenient spot.

How much is a Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Osaka?

The most common route is on the Nozomi (fastest service) and costs around ¥13,320 to ¥14,570 one way. This price includes the base fare (distance-based), express surcharge, and reserved seat fee (which can range from ¥330 to ¥930 depending on season).

If you want extra comfort, you can upgrade to a Green Car (first-class), which offers more spacious and cushy seats — perfect for a more relaxing ride. Of course, it costs more.

Looking to save money? You might consider discount options like early bird tickets, round-trip fares, or bundled passes. You can also check out “kinken shops” (discount ticket stores) near major stations for deals.

If you’re planning to visit multiple cities, a JR Pass might be worth it. While it doesn’t cover the Nozomi or Mizuho trains, it includes most other Shinkansen services and offers unlimited rides within the pass period — a great value for heavy travelers.

If saving as much as possible is your top priority, you can also look into the Platt Kodama Campaign, a special discounted option for the slower Kodama Shinkansen that can be significantly cheaper than regular Nozomi fares.

What Shinkansen options are there from Tokyo to Osaka?

Plenty! You’ve got three main types of Shinkansen on this route:

• Nozomi: Fastest, gets you to Osaka in about 2.5 hours. Most popular choice.
• Hikari: A bit slower, takes around 2 hours 54 minutes, with more stops.
• Kodama: Slowest, nearly 4 hours, but stops at every station — ideal for exploring along the way.

To check timetables and train info, we recommend tools like NAVITIME Japan Travel, which offer multilingual support and can help you look up stops, fares, and transfers — super useful!

Can I buy tickets somewhere besides the station?

Of course! Traditionally, you’d go to a JR station and use the “Midori no Madoguchi” ticket counter or the automated machines. Most machines now offer English and Chinese options. You’ll need to enter your departure and arrival stations, number of passengers, travel date, and seat preference.

If you prefer online options, check out platforms like Smart EX, JR East’s EkiNet, or JR West’s e5489. Everything can be done via your phone — easy and convenient.

Third-party services like Klook or Rakuten Travel Experiences are also popular, especially for travelers booking from abroad. They let you compare prices and often offer package deals with extra savings.

Final Ticketing Tips

• ✅ Traveling during peak seasons like Golden Week, summer vacation, or year-end holidays? Book your tickets early—like, as early as you can!
• ✅ Want to save money? Compare prices. Sometimes third-party platforms actually offer cheaper deals.
• ✅ If you’re just going between Tokyo and Osaka, a JR Pass might not be necessary. But if you’re planning to travel all over Japan, it’s definitely worth it.
• ✅ Arrive early at the platform. Shinkansen trains are crazy punctual—they won’t wait for you if you’re late!

We hope this guide helps you master the art of booking Shinkansen tickets in Japan so you can ride stress-free and enjoy your trip to the fullest!

Recommended Reads

• Japan Shinkansen Ticket Purchase & Riding Guide: A Must-Read for First-Time Visitors
• Master the Shinkansen: A Complete Guide to Finding Platforms and Using Non-Reserved Seats
• Shinkansen Tokyo to Osaka: Key Trip Info
• WiFi for Shinkansen in Japan: Stay Connected During Your Journey