This page compiles frequently asked questions regarding the use of the Shinkansen (bullet train).
How to use
- How do I ride the Shinkansen (bullet train)?
- How do I buy a Shinkansen (bullet train) ticket?
- Where can I buy Shinkansen tickets?
About tickets
- What kind of ticket do I need to ride the Shinkansen (bullet train)?
- What is the difference between a regular train ticket and an express train ticket?
- What do "within the Tokyo metropolitan area" and "within the city" mean on train tickets?
- Can I reserve a seat for my pet?
- Can I get off the Shinkansen at an intermediate station?
- How many hours can I stay on the Shinkansen platform with an admission ticket?
- Is a ticket with "契" written on it different from a regular ticket?
About reservations and purchases
- Can I make a reservation online?
- Where can I pick up the tickets I reserved online?
- Can I make a reservation by phone?
- Which credit cards can I use at JR station ticket counters?
- Can I buy Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets with a credit card?
- When do reserved seat tickets go on sale?
- When exactly does "one month in advance" mean for reserved seat tickets?
- How do I reserve my preferred seat?
- How do I reserve a window seat?
- Where can I find information about available seats?
- How do I make a reservation using JR shareholder discount coupons?
About fares and charges
- How do I find out Shinkansen (bullet train) fares?
- What is the price difference between reserved seats and unreserved seats?
- When are reserved seats most expensive and cheapest?
- What are the fares and charges when transferring between Shinkansen (bullet train) and conventional train lines?
- What is a standing-room-only express train ticket?
- How much is the child fare?
- What is the minimum age for a child's fare?
- How much is the pet fee?
- What is the fee for bringing in large luggage?
- What are some ways to ride the Shinkansen (bullet train) cheaply?
About discount
- What kind of discounted tickets are available for the Shinkansen (bullet train)?
- What is the cheapest discount ticket for the Shinkansen (bullet train)?
- Are there any early bird discounts?
- What is a round-trip discount?
- How should I write the "purpose of use" on my student discount certificate?
- How do I buy a student discount ticket?
- Can I purchase tickets with a student discount on the day of purchase?
- Can I buy a student discount ticket with just my student ID?
- Do I need my student ID on the day I'm using a student discount?
- What kinds of discounted Shinkansen tickets can you buy at discount ticket shops?
- Are there any senior discounts?
- Can I ride the Shinkansen with the Seishun 18 Ticket?
Changes, cancellations, and refunds
- Can I change my Shinkansen ticket?
- Can I change my reserved seat to a non-reserved seat?
- Can I change a non-reserved seat to a reserved seat?
- Can the "Plat Kodama" ticket be changed?
- Where can I make changes?
- Can I use a non-reserved express train ticket the next day?
- Where can I get a refund?
- How much is the cancellation fee?
- Where can I get a refund for a ticket I bought with a credit card?
- If I miss my train, can I catch the next one?
- If I miss my train, can I get a refund for my ticket?
- If I lose it, can I get a replacement?
- If my flight is delayed, how can I get a refund?
- If a train service is cancelled, how can I get a refund?
About seats
- What is the difference between "reserved seats" and "unreserved seats"?
- What is the difference between a "Green Car" and a "Regular Car"?
- What are the differences between "Gran Class," "Green Car," and "Standard Car"?
- If the unreserved seats are full, is it okay to sit in a reserved seat?
- If the unreserved seats are full, is it okay to stand on the deck of the reserved seating area?
- Is it okay to give a child a seat in the unreserved section?
- Can I reserve a seat for my pet?
- Please tell me which Tohoku Shinkansen trains have unreserved seating.
- Please tell me which Hokuriku Shinkansen trains have unreserved seating.
- Are there unreserved seats on the Nozomi Shinkansen?
- Are there unreserved seats on the Hayabusa train?
- Are there unreserved seats on the Komachi train?
- Are there unreserved seats on the "Tsubasa" train?
- Are there unreserved seats on the "Kagayaki" train?
- Where can I find the seat map?
About the in-car facilities
- Is there a shop on board?
- Which trains offer onboard sales?
- What can you buy from the in-train sales?
- Which car is the smoking car?
- Which car is the non-smoking car?
- Which seats have power outlets?
- Can I make phone calls on my cell phone inside the car?
- Is there Wi-Fi in the car?
- Are there nursing rooms or diaper changing facilities inside the train?
- Is there hot water in the car for making baby formula?
- Are there women-only train cars or women-only seats?
- What is the maximum size of luggage I can bring on board?
About the train
- What are the differences between "Nozomi," "Hikari," and "Kodama" trains?
- What is the difference between "Mizuho" and "Sakura"?
- What's the difference between "Nozomi" and "Mizuho"?
- What are the differences between "Hayabusa," "Hayate," "Yamabiko," and "Nasuno"?
- What are the differences between "Kagayaki," "Hakutaka," and "Asama"?
- What is the difference between "Toki" and "Tanigawa"?