Do I need to buy Shinkansen tickets in advance?

You must order at least 3 days in advance before the day of travel. I would advise you to book your shinkansen tickets as far in advance as you can, during peak season like Christmas and New Year, cherry blossom season (April) and fall foliage season (November). It gets extremely busy and trains are often fully booked.



For most of the year, you do not strictly need to buy Shinkansen tickets in advance, as trains on the popular Tokaido line (Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka) run as frequently as every few minutes. You can usually walk up to a kiosk or ticket window and board the next available train within 15 to 20 minutes. However, in 2026, there are three major "No-Go" periods where advance booking is mandatory: Golden Week (late April/early May), Obon (mid-August), and New Year's. During these holidays, trains sell out weeks in advance. Additionally, if you are traveling with "Oversized Baggage" (suitcases with total dimensions over 160cm), you must reserve a specific seat with a baggage area in advance, as these spots are limited and can be fully booked even on non-holiday days. Using the Smart-EX app allows you to book up to a month in advance and "tap-in" with your Suica or IC card, which is the most efficient peer-to-peer method for securing a reserved seat and ensuring your group sits together during the 2.5-hour journey.

People Also Ask

There are no crowds on the intercity Shinkansen trains so free seats tend to be available. However, it is recommended to book a seat before boarding any train during the following peak seasons: April 27 to May 6. August 11-20.

MORE DETAILS

Even the Shinkansen (bullet trains) are equipped with several non-reserved seats cars that you can ride with your JR Pass, without booking ticket. However, it is recommended to book a seat in the Shinkansen when traveling during Japan's national holiday's periods.

MORE DETAILS

Passengers can buy Shinkansen tickets from ticket counters, ticket machines or online. Foreign visitors are entitled to buy a JR Pass, which offers unlimited access to all Shinkansen trains. The JR Pass is great value for money, covering unlimited journeys during its validity.

MORE DETAILS

Do Shinkansen tickets sell out? Yes, especially for weekend travel and during peak seasons, Shinkansen services can be fully booked.

MORE DETAILS

I'm using JR pass and reserved seats, what if I were to miss the train, can I change to the next train on the spot? Hi there, If you miss a train you have a reserved seat for, then you are allowed to board the next train and take a non-reserved seat.

MORE DETAILS

Reserve Early. The earlier you book your tickets, the more likely you are to get the lowest fare available for the dates you want on the routes along your journey. You may book your travel up to 11 months in advance.

MORE DETAILS

All Shinkansen trains are covered by the JR Pass. The Nozomi and Mizuho high-speed trains (Tokaido and Sanyo lines) are also included, subject to purchase of a special complementary ticket. JR Pass holders wishing to travel free on these lines can board local and semi-fast trains.

MORE DETAILS

Does the JR Pass cover Nozomi and Mizuho trains? The JR Pass is valid on all Shinkansen services in all the Shinkansen lines, except for the Nozomi and Mizuho services on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines. You will not have access to the trains with the fewest stops on the Tokaido and Sanyo lines.

MORE DETAILS

Therefore, if you are planning on taking a seat at a Non – Reserved seat, you should line up at Car 2, on the closer side to Car 3, because that way you will have a high chance at getting a seat in Car 3 and even if you couldn't, you can always go to Car 3 and maybe there find an open seat.

MORE DETAILS

Eating and drinking on Japanese trains You should eat on trains only when taking a long-distance train, such as the Shinkansen. These types of trains have a tray and cup holder at every seat, and snacks are sold from a vendor trolley. When taking this type of train, it is also acceptable to bring your own food.

MORE DETAILS

Yes you can change your reserved tickets at any time. Just go to the ticket window at any JR station and tell the staff you wish to make a change.

MORE DETAILS

Some trains do not have non-reserved seats (all seats are reserved). There are no Green Cars on most “HIKARI” and “KODAMA” trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line (Shin-Osaka—Hakata), or on Series 800 trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line.

MORE DETAILS

How much luggage can I bring onto the shinkansen? Each passenger is allowed to bring on two pieces of oversized luggage each. Each of these pieces of luggage cannot exceed 250 cm in total dimensions as previously stated. Additionally, each piece of luggage cannot exceed 30 kg (66 lbs) in weight.

MORE DETAILS

Above all else, the Shinkansen has a remarkable safety record. These Shinkansens have now operated for 50 years, over 18,000 days, without a single passenger casualty.

MORE DETAILS

Time of the day Shinkansen is generally more crowded in early morning and evening when people move to other cities after work and sightseeing.

MORE DETAILS

Throughout Japan, rush hour typically lasts from 7 AM to 9 AM each morning, and 5 PM to 7 PM each evening. These are the times when many residents and going and coming from secular employment. The morning rush hour tends to be a bit heavier than the evening rush hour.

MORE DETAILS