Buying Shinkansen Tickets at a Machine: Step by Step
Quick answer
Yes. As of July 2026, choose a reserved-seat machine and its English menu. Enter the stations, date, train and seat, then check the total before paying. A Shinkansen trip needs a basic fare plus a super-express ticket; the machine may print them together or separately.
Which machine should I use for a Shinkansen ticket?
At a large JR station, do not start at the small machine used only for local fares. Look for a reserved-seat ticket vending machine. Signs commonly show “Reserved Seat,” “Shinkansen,” or a seat icon. Select English before entering the journey.
As of July 2026, JR Central says every ticket vending machine in its stations has an English menu, but only some machines sell limited-express tickets and reserved seats. Other JR regions have different machine designs. If “Shinkansen” or “Reserved Seat” never appears, cancel the transaction and try a larger reserved-seat machine or ask at the JR ticket office.
Have these details ready:
| Machine question | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Departure and destination | The JR station names, not only the city or hotel |
| Travel date | Up to one month ahead for ordinary reserved tickets |
| Approximate time | A departure window or a specific train |
| Seat type | Non-reserved, reserved ordinary seat, or Green Car |
| Passengers | Adult and child numbers |
| Seat preference | Window, aisle, or a seat map choice |
What buttons do I press, in what order?
The labels vary, but the buying flow is usually the same.
- Select English, then Shinkansen / Limited Express.
- Enter the departure station and destination.
- Choose the date and preferred departure time.
- Pick a displayed train. Check the train name as well as the time.
- Choose non-reserved, reserved ordinary, or Green Car.
- For a reserved seat, select a window or aisle, or use the seat map if shown.
- Confirm the number of adults and children.
- Review the route, date, train, car, seat and total price.
- Pay by an accepted card or cash.
- Take all tickets, receipts and change before walking away.
If your destination requires a transfer between Shinkansen services, the machine may offer a complete itinerary. Read every segment on the confirmation screen. A slightly earlier train with a comfortable transfer is safer than a connection of only a few minutes at an unfamiliar station.
For a child aged 6 to 11, choose the child ticket option. Children under 6 can have different fare treatment depending on whether they occupy a reserved seat and how many young children travel with an adult, so ask staff when the machine’s choices do not match your group.
Why are there one or two paper tickets?
A Shinkansen journey needs two fare components, even when they are printed on one piece of paper.
| Ticket component | What it pays for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Basic fare ticket | Travel from the starting JR station to the destination | Origin, destination and validity period |
| Super-express ticket | The Shinkansen service and seat type | Date, train, car and seat for a reservation |
| Combined ticket | Both components on one paper ticket | It should show both the route and Shinkansen details |
JR Central’s official guide notes that the basic fare and super-express portions may be combined into one physical ticket or issued separately. JR East’s ticket guide shows the different printed formats.
If two tickets come out, keep them together but do not staple or fold the magnetic strip. At the Shinkansen gate, insert both paper tickets at the same time. Take back every ticket that comes out on the other side. At the final exit, the gate may keep tickets whose journey has ended.
When transferring from a local JR train to the Shinkansen, follow the signs for the Shinkansen transfer gate. If you entered the local network with an IC card but bought Shinkansen paper tickets separately, use the correct transfer procedure shown at that station; ask the staffed gate if the machine rejects the combination.
Which seat option should I choose?
The machine normally offers three choices.
| Choice | Seat guarantee | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Non-reserved | No; choose an open seat in a designated car | Flexible travel outside busy periods |
| Reserved ordinary | Yes, on the printed train and seat | First trips, groups and busy dates |
| Green Car | Yes, in the higher-class car | More space at a higher fare |
As of July 2026, train formations and non-reserved car numbers can change. Use the platform display rather than memorising a car number from an old guide. Some services are all-reserved, and Nozomi trains run with all seats reserved during designated peak periods.
On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, baggage with total dimensions over 160 cm and up to 250 cm needs a seat linked to an oversized baggage area. Select that seat option at the machine. A normal reserved seat is not the same reservation.
What should I check before leaving the machine?
Read the printed ticket immediately. The most expensive errors are easy to catch at the machine:
- The departure and destination stations are correct.
- The date is today or the intended future date.
- The train name and departure time match your plan.
- The car and seat exist for every passenger.
- The ticket says reserved or non-reserved as intended.
- The machine returned your payment card and printed every ticket.
If anything is wrong, do not pass through a gate. Take the tickets, receipt and the card used for payment to a JR ticket office. Ordinary unused tickets can often be changed before departure, while discounted products have their own conditions.
Finally, arrive at the station with enough time to find the Shinkansen gate and platform. The ticket machine solves the language problem, but it cannot protect a tight itinerary from a long queue, a card decline or choosing the wrong station with a similar name.
FAQ
Do Shinkansen ticket machines have an English button?
Yes at the main JR stations used by the Shinkansen. As of July 2026, look for a reserved-seat ticket vending machine and select English on the first screen. JR Central says every ticket vending machine in its stations has an English menu, although only some machines sell limited-express tickets and reserved seats.
Why did the machine give me two tickets?
A Shinkansen journey requires a basic fare ticket for the distance and a super-express ticket for the fast train and seat type. The machine may print them as two separate tickets or combine them into one. If you receive two, insert both together at the Shinkansen gate and take back every ticket the gate returns.
Can I choose a window seat at the machine?
Usually yes. After selecting a reserved seat, many machines show a seat map or ask for a window, aisle or no preference. The exact screen depends on the JR company and machine. For oversized baggage on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, choose a seat with an oversized baggage area when required.
Can I pay for a Shinkansen ticket with a foreign credit card?
Many reserved-seat machines accept major credit cards, but acceptance can depend on the card, machine and authentication. As of July 2026, carry enough cash or use a staffed ticket office if the card is declined. Do not repeatedly guess a PIN; contact the card issuer or choose another payment method.
Can I use my IC card balance for the whole Shinkansen trip?
Do not assume a normal IC-card tap covers a long Shinkansen journey. A basic fare and a super-express ticket are required. Ticketless services work only after a qualifying reservation is linked to an accepted IC card. If you are buying paper tickets at the machine, follow the machine's payment and gate instructions.
What should I do if I buy the wrong date or train?
Do not use the ticket. As of July 2026, take the tickets and the payment card or receipt to a JR ticket office before the reserved train departs. Change and refund conditions depend on the fare; discounted products can have stricter rules. Check the printed date, stations and train before leaving the machine.