HOW TO BUY SHINKANSEN TICKETS ONLINE? SMART-Ex - Discount Tickets on Japan Bullet Trains
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 มิ.ย. 2024
- How to buy shinkansen tickets ONLINE from your HOME using credit card? (Japan’s bullet train) Can you buy it BEFORE YOU COME TO JAPAN? Is it CHEAPER? Is it EASY to use? What are the RULES you need to know? Can you use it if you have a JR Pass? Who is it for? Top 15 MOST IMPORTANT things you need to know about how to buy shinkansen tickets online from your phone or computer and pay by credit cards even before coming to Japan!
STEP BY STEP & COMPLETE GUIDE how you can buy Japan’s bullet train tickets with just a few taps on your phone so that you DON’T HAVE TO CARRY CASH and DON’T HAVE TO WAIT in long lines at the ticket counters when you arrive in Japan!
You can buy Japan’s shinkansen tickets online, from the comfort of your home, even before you come to Japan, using smartphones/computers + credit cards.
Of course, you can also CANCEL or CHANGE the tickets you bought within just a few taps too!
[*** This video has subtitle. Turn ON Subtitle - Auto Translate - Select Your Language ***]
=== Questions covered in this video:
1/ What is Smart-Ex? 0:54
2/ Covered destinations? 1:28
3/ NOT-covered destinations? 1:54
4/ Where’s the app available? Website version? 2:29
5/ Oversized Baggage rules? 2:49
6/ Discount tickets for single ticket? 4:11
7/ Discount tickets for family/group? 5:37
8/ How to download and sign up? 5:58
9/ How to buy a ticket? 6:31
10/ How to print ticket at ticket vending machines? 10:13
11/ How to use QR code at ticket gates? 10:47
12/ How to combine online ticket onto your IC card? 11:20
13/ Can you change/cancel tickets on the app? 12:20
14/ What’s Pre-sale? When should you use it? 12:39
15/ Is this app for you? JR Pass Holders vs Non-JR Pass Holders? 13:17
=== SHARE THIS VIDEO. THANKS! ===
** STATIONS INCLUDED IN THE APP **
1. TOKYO
2. SHINAGAWA
3. SHIN-YOKOHAMA
4. ODAWARA
5. ATAMI
6. MISHIMA
7. SHIN-FUJI
8. SHIZUOKA
9. KAKEGAWA
10. HAMAMATSU
11. TOYOHASHI
12. MIKAWA-ANJO
13. NAGOYA
14. GIFU-HASHIMA
15. MAIBARA
16. KYOTO
17. SHIN-OSAKA
18. SHIN-KOBE
19. NISHI-AKASHI
20. HIMEJI
21. AIOI
22. OKAYAMA
23. SHIN-KURASHIKI
24. FUKUYAMA
25. SHIN-ONOMICHI
26. MIHARA
27. HIGASHI-HIROSHIMA
28. HIROSHIMA
29. SHIN-IWAKUNI
30. TOKUYAMA
31. SHIN-YAMAGUCHI
32. ASA
33. SHIN-SHIMONOSEKI
34. KOKURA
35. HAKATA
36. SHIN-TOSU
37. KURUME
38. CHIKUGO-FUNAGOYA
39. SHIN-OMUTA
40. SHIN-TAMANA
41. KUMAMOTO
42. SHIN-YATSUSHIRO
43. SHIN-MINAMATA
44. IZUMI
45. SENDAI (Kagoshima, NOT Sendai-Miyagi)
46. KAGOSHIMA-CHUO
***** Note that this list + Smart-ex info might be updated by the train operators anytime without notice in advance. So make sure you CHECK THEIR WEBSITES for latest updates. ****
Do you have other questions? Any experience to share?
Please leave your comments below.
=====================
Links: **Not ads. Not affiliated whatsoever**
=====================
SMART-EX official website: smart-ex.jp/en/index.php
How to cancel tickets bought on Smart-ex: smart-ex.jp/en/reservation/gu...
DISCOUNT tickets: smart-ex.jp/en/product/
OVERSIZED BAGGAGE: smart-ex.jp/en/entraining/ove...
JR PASS Online Reservation: japanrailpass.net/en/purchase...
=====================
I hope you’ll find this video helpful for planning your trip to Japan!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING! ❤️❤️
This video is not sponsored by anyone.
If you like this video, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE IT to help me make more videos like this.
Thank you so much! ❤️🙏
=== SUBSCRIBE to support me here → www.youtube.com/@ONEGOODDREAM...
TRAVELING TO JAPAN
******************
Japan Airport Procedures doable ONLINE before your flight: • JAPAN ENTRY REQUIREMEN...
How to travel Japan CHEAPER with JR PASS // 16 USEFUL TIPS: • Japan Rail Pass | JR P...
How to TRAVEL JAPAN EASIER with IC CARDS | What’s the BEST IC CARD for TOURISTS? • SUICA CARD JAPAN | Wha...
Narita Airport to Tokyo | NARITA EXPRESS | TOP 20 TIPS: • Narita Airport to Toky...
WHO AM I
******************
Konnichiwa! Hello there! 🙏
I’m Yoko. Welcome to One Good Dream where I share parts of my life in Japan,
cooking recipes, and journeys with my roomies, husband & son ❤️
Hope you like the videos!
Don’t forget to LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE to show your support :)
I really appreciate it! ❤️
Thank you so much for watching! ❤️
Have a great day!
ご視聴ありがとうございます！ ❤️
この動画が少しでも良いと思ったら、チャネル登録、いいねボタンをお願いします！❤️🙏
DISCLAIMER: This video, and the contents presented in it, are my personal opinions and are for entertainment purposes only.
#travel #Japan #japantravelguide #train #tips #shinkansen #bullettrain
#onegooddream
Japan Travel Guide | How to buy shinkansen tickets online | How to buy Japan’s bullet train tickets online using credit card | Where to get cheaper shinkansen tickets | How to buy cheaper shinkansen tickets online from your phone | Buy shinkansen tickets BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT TO JAPAN at a CHEAPER price | Shinkansen Guide | How to reserve Shinkansen seats online |
hey friends! an update from JR for this SmartEX app:
"
The “smartEX APP” and “Express Ride App” can be updated from September 16th (Sat.).
You will not be able to use the previous version of the “smartEX App” and “Express Ride App” after Saturday, September 16th (Sat).
To use the App after Sunday, September 16th (Sat), please make sure to update the App when an update guidance dialogue is displayed at a startup of the App.
"
Also, from Oct 1 2023, you will be able to book shinkansen tickets 1 year in advance on SmartEX.
Please check out their official website for details: smart-ex.jp/en/topics/detail/?id=720
Greetings from korea 🇰🇷 💕
I had the Jr pass
Your videos are thoughtfully written and full of useful information! Thank you for your good work.
So glad you think so! Thank you so much!
This is by far the most informative video I’m seen on the topic of Shinkansen ticket reservations and I’ve watch over a dozen in preparation for my upcoming trip. Thank you so much!
Glad you enjoyed it! thank you so much for watching!^^
Excellent video with detailed and easy to follow instructions. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!^^
Super useful - was getting confused just looking at the website. Thanks for the great overview and in giving me confidence with using the app!
Thank you so much!🙏
I used SmartEX app instead of the JR pass because of your video. It was very simple and easy to use. Our trip went well. Thank you so much!
glad it was of some help! thank you so much! 🙏
Thank you for the detailed and valuable information. I’m learning a lot from your videos. I hope to visit Japan someday.😊
thank you so much^^
I`ll be traveling to Japan by the end of the month and your videos are crazy helpful. Thank you for creating such valuable content!
Happy to hear that! Thank you so much!🙏
Very helpful video, thank you for sharing!
thank you so much! 🙏
This is so helpful, thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you so much!🙏
Such a helpful video. Thanks so much!
Thank you so much too!^^
Thank you for this valuable information. 😊
thank you^^
Really useful and informative! Thank you!! subscribed!! 😍
Thank you so much!🙏
SO good to know. Can't wait to go back to Japan!
thanks!
So incredibly helpful!
thank you so much!
Very good and informative video! Thank you so much!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much!🙏
Thank you very much for making this video! It is very helpful, we just purchased our tickets using the app.👍🏼👍🏼
so glad it was helpful! thank you so much!🙏
Thank you SO much! I was able to save money after seeing this video on time!
Glad it was useful! Thank you so much for watching!^^
Appreciated you quick response ❤❤❤
You are welcome!🥰
Useful information. Thank you.
Thank you so much!🙏
Thank you for this, very useful information/explanation and how to do 👍
Thank you so much!🙏
As always, thank you for another great and informative video 🙏 And have a wonderful weekend 🌹
Thank you! You too!
@@ONEGOODDREAM Thank you!
You are a life saver. Thank you for this clip. 🤗
Thank you so much for watching!🙏
Thank you for the information. 😊
thank you!
thank you this was extremely useful
Thank you so much!🙏
Thank you so much for sharing. I am coming next month. Thanks!
Thank you so much!🙏 Have a great trip!
Thanks s very much very clear explained
Thank you so much!🙏
A big thank you to you 🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️ it's incredibly helpful ❤
so glad it was helpful! thank you so much! 🙏
You’re so helpful Thank you
So glad you found it helpful! Thank you so much for watching!🙏
Thank you for your helpful video.
thank you!
quite useful for me, many many thanks
glad it was useful! Thank you so much!🙏
now i am in japan and your videos helped me a lot
glad you found it helpful! thank you so much! 🙏
thank you so much for this video, i have just bought my first tickets through this website.
Glad to hear that! Thank you!^^
hey friends! i post a photo about linking a ticket with an IC card in Community tab. so check it out for your reference. thanks!
thank you very helpful.
thank you so much!🙏
Very helpful🙏🏽 Arigato!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much!🙏
Hello guys, perhaps you have some tips on how to use the Hakone + Fuji pass, like train/buses schedules and so on. Thank you!
Thank you !!
Thank you so much!🙏
11:56 is a great tip for tourists. Thanks for the info
Thank you so much!🙏
Hi, this is the most informative guide I have seen to date. Thank you so much. I have one question, 10:38 shows inserting the printed ticket followed by tapping the phone on entry. I thought only the printed ticket was required to enter the station?
Hi, thank you so much for watching!🙏 you're right! you only need a ticket (printed or digital) to enter the shinkansen station. however, there are 2 types of gate, a direct gate and a transfer gate. if you enter through a direct gate, you just need the shinkansen ticket at the gate. I was entering the shinkansen station through a transfer gate (from a JR train to a shinkansen) so I need a shinkansen ticket and I also need to pay for the JR train that I was on (the phone tapping was to pay for the JR train). hope this answers your question.. it's confusing :)
I bought a shinkansen ticket (combined to my suica card) via Smart Ex. Since its my first time, I get so worry if my IC card not working at the gate on that day...
thanks for your video!
thank you so much! if you already linked the ticket to the ic card, it'd be fine. don't worry!^^
Thanks for the video. Why do we need to tap the IC card after inserting the physical ticket?
Thanks for your support! here in Brazil is hard to find informations about the JR PASS
Thank you so much!🙏
Ty for all your very informational videos! You are making our travel planning to Japan less stressful! Question: if you use the IC Card and buy tickets for your entire family (6), can we al go through the gate with the tickets on one IC card? Sorry if the question sounds silly.🙈
thank you! if you use the ic card, you need 1 card per person. same for ticket, 1 ticket per person ^^
Very good information… made simple😊 but can I have the tickets mailed to my hotel in Japan?
Thank you so much!🙏 there's no mailing service though. you can either link it to an ic card, or print out the ticket at the station right before getting on the train.
I read that certain times of day each day system shuts down something like
Midnight to 5am Japan time so
That’s why you cannot buy tickets
Hi! Thank you for the video! just wanted to ask how do you book a round trip on the app for same day? :)
Thanks! for round trip, you'll have to book them separately.
hello - thanks for the video! i am just wanting to confirm that the smart ex site is just between tokyo & hiroshima? i'm looking to book tokyo - hakuba.
Fantastic video. Only one doubt what is the difference between Reserved seats inside and outside cabin?
Thank you so much!🙏 I'm not sure what you mean by inside and outside cabin??
Hi ONE GOOD DREAM ! Can you please make the video explaining the trip from Osaka To Mt Fuji or Kawaguchiko in fastest and easier way, thanks!....
Hi, thank you so much for the idea!^^
Thank you for the useful video!
I will be riding the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Nagoya next year, and prefer not to print out the ticket if I can.
May I ask if there's a way to check which station has a QR gate?
Thank you so much for watching!🙏
for now the QR code is not used to scan at the shinkansen gates yet (at least to my understanding). if you prefer ticketless, what you can do is to link the shinkansen ticket to an IC card (this is the way our family do and it's really convenient).
Thank you so much for this amazing video! - I can't see an option/dropdown menu to choose one way ticket/round. How this works? - Thanks!
Thank you so much for watching! it only allows number of tickets, not round ticket. so there's no option to select round ticket at the moment. to buy the return ticket, you'll have to buy it like a separate ticket.
Hello! I came across your videos and am finding them very informative- thank you! Quick question: @10:40, after you printed the ticket and inserted it, you also scanned your phone - why and what is this step? I assumed the ticket was already purchased, so no additional payment is required. Thanks.
hi, thanks for watching! so i took a commuter train to tokyo station and switched to shinkansen line there. scanning my phone at the gate was to pay for the commuter train (actually i had a suica card in the phone cover so i was actually scanning the suica card). so ticket was for shinkansen, phone was for commuter train.
@@ONEGOODDREAM Got it - thank you for clarifying!
Hello, Thank you for the information it is very helpful. I have a question about the (Special Rapid Nagahama) on the Tokaido-Sanyo Line from osaka station to Kyoto station. I would like to know if it is possible to book seats online before the day? As I will have oversized luggage as well.
hi, thanks so much! Osaka's station for shinkansen is Shin-Osaka, not Osaka station. but Osaka and Kyoto are so close (30min) you can take a normal commuter train anytime from Osaka station without booking. if you avoid rush hours, you can take your luggages on commuter trains.
great video with all information. for presale, if there is no availability, then it won't reserve and will not charge my card?
Thank you so much!🙏 yes, it will only charge when you successfully secure a seat.
Hi. Really enjoy your videos which ate very informative. Am I able to link a Shinkansen ticket to a digital Suica card on my iPhone Wallet?
Thank you! per instruction on suica website, it's possible to do so. but unfortunately i'm not so sure how it actually works since i don't use a digital suica..
Thanks for the helpful video! In the video, you demonstrated tapping the IC card to enter the gate. Do I also need to tap the IC card when exiting the gate, or is it a one-time tap for entry? I've seen videos suggesting tapping the IC card both when entering and exiting local trains/metro gates, and I wonder if the process woul.be the same for shinkansen. Could you clarify the process for exiting the gate?
Thank you so much for watching!🙏 yes the process is the same for all trains/subways - tapping at both entrance and exit gate. same for tickets too. if you buy a ticket, insert it at the entrance gate, take it back, keep it and insert it at the exit gate (it won't come out at exit gate).
Your video was great and very informative, thank you! Could you help me with a doubt, please? with the increase in the value of the JRPass maybe I will buy the tickets separately, in this case can I pay for the tickets through this app with Suica or just with a credit card?
thank you so much for watching! the payment through this app is only by credit card. after you buy the ticket, you can link it to a Suica card like we did. the price increase of the jr pass is really... out of words! i hope they won't raise the price of the shinkansen! but the new terms of the pricey jr pass are not clear yet. let's see how they go :)
@@ONEGOODDREAM thank you!
If coming into NRT airport, do I need JR ticket to get to hotel in Roppongi or can I just use the Welcome Suica card?
I have a question about pre sale tickets. What are the differences between non pre sale and pre sale tickets?
Very nice and useful explanation. Thank you very much. and the program is very wonderful.
At minute 10:40, you used the paper ticket with the mobile phone, Are both required together? And question regarding the third method, If I reserve two tickets for me and my brother with the same membership in the program, and I want to link them to Welcome Suica, how will my brother’s entry be? Or should be separate app
Thank you so much for watching!🙏
I took a commuter train to the shinkansen station so the phone tap was to pay for the commuter train, and the paper ticket was to get on the shinkansen. you can pay separately like I did, or altogether in one ticket, depending on how you got to the shinkansen station.
you can reserve 2 tickets together on 1 account, then link each of the ticket to each Welcome Suica card later on (before departure). so you can reserve the tickets early to get the discount. then after you arrive in Japan and buy the welcome Suica cards, you can link the cards to the tickets then. hope this helps.
@@ONEGOODDREAM You saved me so much, and I can't thank you enough for what you did.
Very grateful
no worries! same here! hope you'll enjoy Japan!^^
Por favor, un video de como comprar boletos para el tren nocturno Sunrise express por favor
Hi, I have a question.
How to use my IC card when I buy my online Shinkansen ticket already?
How do I put reservation information into the ic card bofore i use it?
Do you have any experience with booking tickets via klook?
Hello, thank you so so much for this very informative and detailed video, it's really helpful and solves a lot of my questions. However, I do have one think to ask: can I change the time of my reservations up to the departure day? Is there any difference in case I make the reservations 28 days prior departure? I'm confused about that. Thanks again!
Thank you so much for watching!🙏 you can change the time of your reservation if your ticket is not a discounted one, and if the train you want to change to has available seats. if you reserve early, you can get cheaper tickets. please check out the latest discounts on their website: smart-ex.jp/en/product/hayatoku/ex_28/
@@ONEGOODDREAM Thank you! Have a nice day!
I was unable to reserve a back seat for more luggage. I'm traveling in a big group with about 7 big and 2 small luggages. Should I declare at the JR station and pay the fee up front?
Thank you for sharing this video. I've heard that if you use IC card to go through the gate and you have reserved seat, you have to pick up the seat information ticket at the end of the gate. It this correct? Thank you in advanced for answers.
Thanks! yes, i read that on their website too but it was not the case for us. there was no seat info printed at the gate. but we did received a confirmation email right after we passed the gate.
Thanks for the video. Is helpful. You mentioned that to book 21 days early. Will this train increased its prices as well as the announcement by the government that all railway passes will increased its prices in October?
Thank you so much!🙏 only the JR pass for visitors will be increased in price by a lot (69%) from Oct, which is officially announced by the JR group. other passes and some domestic one-off tickets just increase a few hundred yen, not a lot, and they already increased. SmartEX is actually launching more discount offers and will let you book tickets 1 year in advance starting Oct 1 this year. (currently you can only book 1 month in advance). so I recommend checking SmartEX website after Oct 1 to see their new discount offers ^^
Hi! Thanks for your video! I have a question, do I need to bring my credit card to get tickets or QR code and 4digit code is enough?
Hi! no you won't need your credit card when getting the tickets at a machine. You just need to pick up QR code and your SmartEX account password. Thank you so much for watching!🙏
Hello, your video was very helpful!! Just one question, Is it possible to buy the ticket on the station the same day? or is it possible that they are sold out?
Thank you so much!🙏 it really depends on seasons. if you travel during peak seasons (like new year, golden week, silver week or Obon), I'd recommend getting the ticket in advance so that you can travel on the day and time you want.
Nice vide, I wonder if I booked 3 tickets with EX, when printout of tickets it is same procedure for 3 tickets and how to make reservation for bigger package for 3 person.
Thank you so much!🙏 you can print out all 3 tickets in one time.
Thanks for another great video! I have one question by the way, than I hope you will answer🙂 Do you need to scan the QR code from your phone when you go through the ticket gate, even if you have printed out the ticket first, or is it enough to use the ticket at the ticket gate?
Thank you so much for watching!🙏 no you won't need to scan the QR code if you print out the ticket first. you only use the ticket at the ticket gate. I actually haven't got to use the QR code to scan at the ticket gate myself. as I checked with the shinkansen station staff, for now, the QR code is mostly used for printing out tickets. just make sure you remember your SmartEx account password cuz it's needed when printing the tickets at the ticket vending machines.
@@ONEGOODDREAM Okey, thanks a lot for the information😃 It was very helpful👌
@@morten2001 you're welcome! glad it could be of some help^^
Hello! Thank you for your insightful video.
One question, if I buy a shinkansen ticket on smart EX for two people, will I get two separate tickets when I retrieve them from the train station machines? Or just one together?
hi, thank you so much! 🙏 when you buy on smartEX and print out tickets at a machine, you will get one ticket per person. at the ticket gates, you will need one ticket per person to get through.
Could you make a video on the best method of getting a sim card or mobile wifi for tourists? Thank you very much
Thank you so much for the idea! will try my best!^^
I love your videos! great work!
I'm considering buying the Hayatoku-28 Wide, but it says: "After purchase, you cannot change your reservation".
Does it mean, that if I miss my train for any reason, or plans change, I can not change at all?
Would I lose my money then?
Would you recommend it?
Or should I buy the Hayatoku-21 Wide ?
Thank you so much for watching!🙏 yeah, I'd buy the Hayatoku 21 instead. the price is not that much different, and I have the flexibility with my travel plan.
thank you!
very important!
@@ONEGOODDREAM
Thank you so much for a very informative video! If the tickets are purchased for several passengers, we can use the same QR code at the ticket machine to get all the tickets, am I correct ?
thank you so much for watching! you're right. if i remember correctly, once you scan your QR code at the machine, you'll need to enter the password to your account. and once you're in your account, you will be able to select the tickets you want to print out.
@@ONEGOODDREAM thank you so much for the information !
Hi, as always thank you for another excellent and informative video. If I reserve seats and didn't make it due to flight delays or other unforeseen events, will my ticket be charged?
hi, thanks for watching! in that case, you can change to a later train or cancel your ticket. if you don't do anything your ticket will be charged (actually it's already charged when your reservation is confirmed).
Is there any charges on changing the train? And how soon before the scheduled time can we change. E.g. the Nozomi train leaves every 10 mins. Your videos are so well made. Information is so clear and useful. Thank you so much. It makes life much easier and the trip to Japan so much more enjoyable. 🙏🏻
Thank you for the video. If you buy two tickets online, do you have to register two IC cards so that both people can tap in?
Thank you so much!🙏 yes, you need 2 IC cards, one per person, and register each ticket to each card.
Your videos are so useful!!!! I have question- me and my husband had added to our apple wallet suica card. If I buy 2 tickets in the web how do I add each ticket to our IC cards? Do we have to buy tickets separately in webb Because we need to tapp our IC cards separately when we go through the gate. Thank You a lot for Your answer!!!
Thank you so much!🙏 so glad you found them useful! you can just use one account to buy 2 tickets for you both. the tickets will be treated separately on the system. then you can select each ticket to connect to each of your Suica card. each of your Suica card will have a different number too. you need to have 1 Suica card per person. hope this helps..
If I am booking for April, do I need to wait until March to book the discounted tickets or will it be the same if I just book now? I checked April 20, 2024 (Tokyo to Kyoto) and they have the Hayatoku-28 Wide discount for 3 adults, but no other discounts available.
Good morning, thank your for your useful info to us. But I have two questions, 1) if I lined up two Ic card in smartex acct, is that mean that we are using the same phone to tap it when entering the gate. 2) should I still need to print the tickets if i registered the IC card in smartex. Thanks a lot if you can help❤
Thank you so much for watching!🙏 to your questions, 1) if you register 2 IC cards to your SmartEX account, you will tap that 2 IC cards at the gates to board the trains (use your card, not your phone unless you use a digital IC cards on your phone). and you need to tap the card separately, one card per person.
2) no you don't need to print the tickets. just tap the cards at the gates (because you already link the tickets on to the cards).
hope this helps^^
Amazing video thank you so much! If I buy two tickets on the Smart EX app and scan the QR code at the station to print the Shinkansen tickets, will the machine print both tickets at the same time? or will i have two QR codes to scan?
Thank you so much!🙏 if you buy 2 tickets on 1 account, you will have 1 QR code to print out 2 tickets at the same time. the QR code is per account. once you scan your QR code and log in your account at the machine, you'll be able to select the trips and tickets you want to print out.
Wonderful, thanks!!
Thank you for your info about buying tickets,but have a question about this service. Going to Japan next month, will be staying few days in Tokyo than Kyoto and back Tokyo(thinking about Osaka for a day trip from Kyoto) and in my case will be better to buy JRpass or smart ex? I can't download the app in my country, so only by website. If i do that will get qr code too ,do i have to print/screenshot from web to collect ticket from the vending machine or coming any code with numbers and letters that i have to tap out onto the vending machninei s that right? Thank you
Thanks for watching! in your case, the JR pass can save you some money because it covers bullet trains, JR trains/buses and airport trains. (can't be used on subways). you can use the website version of smartex on your phone. it works the same way. when you get the ticket at the machine, you need to enter your login name and password of smartex account, then scan the qr code to print out the ticket.
Hello, thank you so very much for this very informative and helpful video, and others such as the Japan BULLET TRAIN tips and Japan Rail Pass! Thank you! I have a question for you, please. At 10:38, you insert the Shinkansen paper ticket followed by scanning your IC card (?) on the reader. What does that 2nd step do? Thank you!
hi, thank you so much for watching! so i took a commuter train to tokyo station and switched to shinkansen line there. scanning my phone at the gate was to pay for the commuter train (actually i had a suica card in the phone cover so i was actually scanning the suica card). so ticket was for getting on the shinkansen, phone was for getting off the commuter train.
@@ONEGOODDREAM Oh, I see! I got it now! Thank you so much!
@@ONEGOODDREAM Sorry, may I ask a couple of more questions, please. Say I have registered my SUICA card, then do I simply scan my SUICA card once to (1) pay for the commuter train, and (2) get on the Shinkansen? Another question... If my SUICA card is my Shinkansen ticket, how do I show my seat reservation without a paper ticket when the conductor asks to see it? Thank you so very much!
thanks for helping out!^^ so when you register your suica card to a shinkansen ticket, you only scan once at the gate, and the card will do (1) and (2) altogether. according to the smartex website, there will be a "seat information" printed out at the other end of the gate. we didn't get any of that "seat info" in our case (and the reason i presume is that we use the app for Japanese). even if you don't have the seat info printed out for you at the gate, you know the seat info via the confirmation email. you can show the suica card and email to the conductor. but you won't be asked by the conductor unless you sit in the wrong seat.
@@ONEGOODDREAM I see! I got it now! Amazing system! :) Thank you so very much for taking the time to answer my questions! Really appreciate it! Looking forward to more videos from your channel! :)
Hi, thank you for making this video, can i ask a question? Can i get the ticket 3 days before the boarding? Bought one from Kyoto to tokyo
thank you so much! yes, you can get the ticket anytime after you buy it.
Hi i dont see 28 days advance discount ticket from osaka to tokyo, when i see that from tokyo to osaka. What am i doing wrong?
Also my baggage is smaller than 160 but not like a cabin size. Its 25 kg. I cant lift it up. What do i do? Do i have to get baggage seats?
nice video, thanks, from jimmy
Thank you!^^
Hello, does this work well with just digital IC card? Thank you!
hi, it does not work with a digital IC card in Apple Wallet/Google Wallet. but it does work with the Welcome Suica card. and you can buy the ticket first, then link it with the card later (as long as it's before departure time). (if you live in Japan, it works with the digital ic card though)
Great informative video. Btw, at minute 10:41, you inserted the ticket but also scanned your phone. Why is that?
hi, thanks for watching! so i took a commuter train to tokyo station and switched to shinkansen line there. scanning my phone at the gate was to pay for the commuter train (actually i had a suica card in the phone cover so i was actually scanning the suica card). so ticket was for shinkansen, phone was for commuter train.
@@ONEGOODDREAM Thank you for the explanation.
Hello, and thanks in advance for all the info. Why do you use your shinkansen ticket along with the IC approximation on your iphone at 10:38 ? Wouldn't the ticket alone be enough since it's was already purchased and paid in advance in the app?
Hi, thank you so much for watching!🙏 you're right! you only need a ticket (printed or digital) to enter the shinkansen station. however, there are 2 types of gate, a direct gate and a transfer gate. if you enter through a direct gate, you just need the shinkansen ticket at the gate. I was entering the shinkansen station through a transfer gate (from a JR train to a shinkansen) so I need a shinkansen ticket and I also need to pay for the JR train that I was on (the phone tapping was to pay for the JR train). hope this answers your question.
@@ONEGOODDREAM That totally makes sense now. Once again, thank you!
you're welcome!^^
I'm confused at 10:39. Why did you put in the paper ticket AND also tap the phone (IC card)?
I had the same question and here's the response from @ONE GOOD DREAM...
"hi, thank you so much for watching! so i took a commuter train to tokyo station and switched to shinkansen line there. scanning my phone at the gate was to pay for the commuter train (actually i had a suica card in the phone cover so i was actually scanning the suica card). so ticket was for getting on the shinkansen, phone was for getting off the commuter train."
Hello! I was wondering if it is possible to book a ticket to Osaka? I don't see it on the list and we don't need the JR pass, we are only doing a round trip from Tokyo to Osaka
hi, sure you can, the shinkansen station for Osaka is Shin-Osaka. it should be right next to Kyoto station.
This video is so informative!! I sent to all my travel friends for the info since we won't be purchasing the JR ticket after the price goes up. I downloaded the app and tested purchasing a seat Tokyo->Osaka for 1 adult with an inside cabin oversized baggage area 1 month in advance. All went well up until I selected the train time and car (non-smoking), no matter which car I selected, the next page "Select a Seat" only showed the option "No Preference" rather than the seat map in your video. Can you advise why I might not be able to select a seat? I want to be able to select the seat on the side where I will be able to see Mt. Fuiji~ Thank you!
Thank you so much for watching!🙏 I'm not so sure what went wrong. have you tried the web version?? to see if the same issue happens..
I just bought mine through the app and encountered this too but the difference is that on the window along with the "No Preference" line, there was a "Seats can be separated" option, we unchecked that box which should have meant that we wanted seats that were together and proceeded to payment. After purchasing our tickets (we chose reserved seats with baggage inside cabin for 2), we were notified that seats and train will be finalized by 2pm. We got the e-mail later at 2pm with the seating arrangement already set for our ride which meant we were not able to choose. But because we bought 2 seats with baggage + unchecked "seats can be separated", we were lucky to have been assigned two seats side by side, facing the Fuji mountain for our upcoming trip. I confirmed our seating through the JR railway page.
I tested it out again shortly after getting the confirmation email, booking for the same day a month later and the "View Seat Map" tab was available for all the trains but the cheaper discounted tickets were all sold out or unavailable (cannot click it). Plus side is that there were more options like the first class green cars and more train options. So it could be that we're booking our tickets early OR because we booked it midnight (as soon as they released that day's ticket bookings) that we could not choose the seats. As they've said, usually there isn't a need to book shinkansen tickets so early as there are many running and you will often be able to book much closer to your travel date. But I loved planning and preparing so I went ahead and bought them early anyway haha. Perhaps if you're looking to secure your tickets early, booking in pairs seem to have helped me seeing as some car's seatings are 3-2 and the 2 seaters are on the side facing mount Fuji for ordinary cars/cars with 3-2 seatings when travelling to Kyoto/Osaka. Since you're travelling to Osaka, you'd want the sides with 2 seats.
tldr; You likely cannot choose your seats if you book too early (like as soon as it's released kind of early e.g. buying on 1st Oct for 1st Nov) or MAYBE buying it during midnight (not sure). If you want to choose seats, wait a little after its been released maybe or try booking it during the day, may risk cheaper options being bought out much earlier. This may change in the future but currently this seems to be the case. Hope this helps!
Hi! So if ive bought the JR pass now to fly to japan in November, can i still reserve tickes to go to tokyo to kyoto for example? Or do i have to wait till i convert my exchange order to JR pass when i land and then reserve?
Hi! if you bought it online from JR, you can use their online reservation to reserve seats after you bought the pass, before coming to Japan. no need to wait until after arriving in Japan to do that. check out how the jr pass works & reservation at machines in Japan here: th-cam.com/video/DjltyiVnr_w/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for your helpful videos! If someone is going to take the Shinkansen in March 2024, is there an option to select the Presale option? If so, how early can they select it?
Thank you so much!🙏 the app has been updated a little bit from Oct this year. there's no more pre-sale option. you can now reserve up to 1 year in advance. so you can already reserve tickets for Mar 2024 now.
Thank you for your quick reply! When I search there are available options for the Ordinary and Green class. However, with the Green class, I don’t see an option to select my seat. Maybe that will be available closer to the travel date.
Hi Yoko, may i know if the discount for the Hayatoku 21 applies for tickets booked at least 21days in advance or any number of days in advance up to 21 says? Thanks!
To add on, if i book 10days in advance, do i still get the same % of discount?
Hi, if you buy 1 ticket, you need to book at least 21 days before your departure day to get the discount for Hayatoko 21. If you buy more than 2 tickets, you can get the Family discount, which only needs 3 days advance booking.
Hello again,
How do you use the QR code as a ticket I have a QR code for a pick up code only does this mean my family will have to print out tickets at the machine?
Hi, no I didn't use the QR code as a ticket. I used it as a pick up code. you will need to use it to pick up the tickets at a machine.
Thank you for such an easy video to follow!
I had one question... I am going to book tickets using smart-ex for next month, and I have already made an account that is linked to my Suica card (I am returning to japan after visiting in 2018).
I am going to make a reservation for myself and one other on my account/Suica card.
So when we approach the gate do we scan once and both go through? Or scan twice? I hope that makes sense. :)
Thank you!
hi, thank you so much for watching 🙏 so glad it was helpful :) so your case, your friend will need to have a separate Suica card and link it with the ticket you buy. you can multiple cards to the app and link each of the card with one ticket. One person needs 1 card. you can't share 1 card to go through the gate. only scan once for one person at the gate. hope this answers your question :)
@@ONEGOODDREAM Great job on the video. LOVE IT!!!!
Just to be clear; If I book 1 trip for 4 people (seat A, B, C, D), then I can link each seat to different IC card? All these activities can be done via SmartEx app? Tapping IC card is very appealing to me and for sure convenience to me without worrying which card/paper ticket I need to print.
@@tonytjangdra2094 hi, you're right. you can buy 4 tickets in one time, and then connect each seat to 1 IC card. and all of these can be done within SmartEx app. then you tap the IC card at the gate to get on the bullet train.
@@ONEGOODDREAM Thank you so much. Arigato!!!
Thanks so much for replying! Does that mean I can buy the two tickets before I go with the one linked IC card. Then when we arrive in Japan and get the second IC card sorted, we can then link it to the SmartEX ticket?
Hi, if I want to go to Sapporo, which way is the best? Plane or Train (with ferry)? Thank you.
hi, for us, we always took a flight to Sapporo from Tokyo. it's a lot faster and cheaper.