You can designate a digital IC card on SmartEX. However, you will first need to figure out your entire IC card number. From the digital card, if you click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner and select "Card Number" it only shows the last 4 digits. Here's how to get the full number: If you have a digital PASMO card, install the PASMO Finance app on your phone. When you open the app it shows your balance and your full card number. If you have a digital SUICA card, install the Suica Finance app on your phone. - Open the Suica card in Apple Wallet - Tap on the three dots icon (...) on the top right corner of the phone - Select "Card Details" - Select "Open" in Suica Finance App - In the Suica Finance app, you will see the Suica card that you added -- tap on the card and you will see the full card number.
Hello thank you for your videos, I have a question If I had a baggage about 150 cm what is the option for me : Seat with oversized baggage area" or ”Seat with oversized baggage compartment, I am confused 😟. And you said if I have the suica car in my wallet, I have to turn off for use my QR from smart ex, right?
This video is so easy to understand. Well done! I love learning about easier ways to travel and purchase Shinkansen tickets. Your videos has helped my family of 5 plan for our upcoming trip on June. Thank you for continuing to create quality video content. Really appreciate it! Look forward to more videos and tips.
Not only did your video answer many of my questions, but your update in the comments about finding my mobile suica number so I can add it to my SmartEx app was the cherry on top. Thank you!
My wife and I have kept our Suica cards for years now. Wasn't sure it would work on this trip, but it did! Japan is such a difficult place to figure out travel. Why? Stations have different entrances for different train lines. Day passes only work on some lines and not others. Some ticket machines can add value to your IC card while others can't. Yikes! Too many variables. Thank you RUclips!😂
@@KenshoQuest According to the information, either the Suica or Pasmo card expires after "10 years of last use." If someone travels to Japan and uses either IC card up to 9 years, 364 days (not including a leap year), then it should continue to work for the next decade. I believe Japan did this to avoid swapping out cards all the time when the 10 year mark comes up.
Thank you! This is exactly the succinct, step by step video that we needed! And the disabling transit card i. The wallet - who knew? So glad i clicked!
Thanks so much for the invaluable info. Currently in Tokyo, and just wanted to mention a couple of things as I just designated the IC cards for my family's travel to Kyoto tomorrow. I purchased 6 tickets for our group in my SmartEX account, but you are only able to designate a total of 5 IC cards in each account, so one person would have to use a different method (QR code, etc). In our case, I learned that you can only designate a child IC card for a child ticket reservation. Since we got my youngest daughter a regular Welcome Suica since that is what's available right now, I was not able to designate her IC card to her child shinkansen reservation. Instead, I saved the QR code for her ticket on my apple wallet. Fingers crossed it all works out. Thanks again!
I couldn't get the app working for my trip this past February. Finally got it working and hooked up my suica card. Now, I'm all set for my next trip this coming November. Thanks for al the info.
Thank u sir for your thorough explanation! but i just find the japan smart ex system is so ironic cos I cant install the app since my phone region is not japan. So i have to use the web. It would be waaay more convenient to use the app. Still i thank u so much for the video tutorial. Im going to kyoto tomorrow for the first time and i just linked my ic suica card to my reservation. I hope everything goes well 😂
sorry if this has been asked. if i link a schinkansen ticket to an IC card and subsequently loose/misplace IC card do i loose the value of the IC card and the shinkansen ticket?
Hi, as long as someone else hasn't picked up your IC card and used it to ride on your journey then you can go into your settings in the SmartEx app and either change or remove the designated IC card.
Hi, firstly great video explaining the Smartex ic process. I’m preparing for a Japan trip later this year and I’ve signed up to Smartex to understand how the hayatoku 21/28 discounts work. I understand it applies only to adult fares, but if I’m travelling with a child, can I book the adult fares separately to take advantage of the hayatoku 21/28 prices, and then book my child’s fare separately but then seat us together? NB I did notice the alternative option, hayatoku 3 family nozomi tickets, were only available on the weekends and family discounts on weekdays were limited to the slow kodama shinkansen. Thanks in advance
If I reserve my Shinkansen tickets now with the Smart-EX service, I am planning on using the QR tickets as a backup, can I designate or assign the IC cards later when we arrive in Japan and get the IC cards there?
I followed this on our trip from Tokyo to Osaka (very helpful!), but it wasn’t clear that it is REQUIRED to have an IC card to enter the main part of Tokyo Station to buy the ekiben boxes. There was a small selection in the Shinkansen section and other goodies. We could only enter Tokyo station on the Shinkansen entrance (where all the buses are). They wouldn’t allow us to enter the Marunochi side with Smart Ex QR code. I am guessing perhaps this is a change since this video was done due to security reasons which makes sense to the American mind. I will buy a IC card when we go from Osaka to Kyoto and then be better prepared so I can get a ekiben box on the return from Kyoto to Tokyo!
We recommend that all travelers to Japan get an IC card. It's the easiest way to pay for local transportation, and as you mentioned, to enter train stations.
I purchased my SmartEx tickets from Tokyo to Kyoto but the app doesn't tell me any information about departure time or departure station or gate or anything. Am I missing something or where can I find this information?
@@dailengarciarosales5041 Since it’s non-reserved there isn’t a specific time, just any time that day. Departure station is Tokyo Station and arrival station is Kyoto Station. There will be signs at the train station indicating which Platform to board the train.
Extremely helpful your videos . Thanks ! Question : I’m purchasing shin Osaka to shin Fuji . I need to transfer in Nagoya . Nonzomi-Nagoya train . 4 minutes from one train to the other . Is this doable ? I’m purchasing the SmartEx . Thanks in advance for the help 😊
Hi, glad our videos are helpful :). 4 minutes is only doable if the platform is just across the way. For instance, platform 1 to platform 2. But since Smart EX is offering this, there probably is a good chance you can make it. worst case scenario, if you miss your train, which is changing to the Kodama, you can hop on the next one, you just won't have a reserved seat ( ride unreserved ). Another option is to check either an earlier or later train. Some have longer transfer times. Good luck!
I'm going to be visiting Japan from NZ in a few weeks. I'll be riding the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo and have a Suica card from an earlier trip. Your vid is highly instructional with the exception that the mobile SmartEx app that you show is not available from my country necessitating the use of the website instead. Questions 1. Presumably the website mirrors the app (or visa versa) in that a physical Suica card can be attached to your account? 2. How does the Suica card know that you're travelling specifically on the Shinkansen and not just generally in the rail network? A 2nd set of gates perhaps? 3. Why does the Suica card not ping you for not swiping off in your origin city... or does it count your swipe off at your destination? 4. Assuming that the destination station is not your final destination, presumably one can simply ride the local destinations rail network & swipe off at the final destination I ask as you haven't stated these explicitly and the last thing a traveler wants is to be wandering around Japan not understanding what he's doing.
Hi! 1) The SmartEX website functions in a similar manner to the SmartEX app. Yes, you can use the website to designate a physical Suica card for your Shinkansen ticket. 2) There are specific Shinkansen ticket gates. It will say in large writing above the gates "Shinkansen Tracks". The Suica card knows when you tap into a specific Shinkansen gate. 3) Sorry, I don't understand your question. When using a Suica card for transportation, you tap in at your starting station and tap out at your arrival station. If you are riding local transportation, it deducts the cost when you tap out. 4) When you arrive at your Shinkansen station, you will tap out of a Shinkansen ticket gate. If you still need to take a local train, you will tap in through the local train ticket gate. And then tap out when you arrive at your destination. Please let me know if that answers your questions. I wasn't quite sure what you were asking in 3 and 4. We have many videos here on Kensho Quest about riding trains in Japan. Here is our playlist about Shinkansen and limited express trains: ruclips.net/p/PLaTfVBw5xI8I5umQraA24OXhgEYW4nDME 🌸 Heidi
@@KenshoQuest Apologies, never having done this before, I'm not really sure how it all works. Regarding 1, I'll register with the website & register my Suica now that I'm sure of what to expect. What I read in 2. is that you pass thru a single set of gates designated ONLY for Shinkansen and therefore there is no interaction with the local train network. Your explanation to 4. clarified the operation of 3 & 4. My earlier impression was that using a Suica meant that it was first necessary to swipe into the local train network before entering the Shinkansen area. Your explanation makes more sense. I guess that one can enter the gate using a Shinkansen ticket only and having it attached to the Suica is merely a nice way of streamlining the process. Thanks for clarifying that for me. At least now, there'll be one less clueless tourist running around annoying the locals... or perhaps still a clueless tourist but with one less annoying problem for the locals?
Sorry about that. There's always Klook. Our payment always works there. Here's our separate video on how to buy Shinkansen tickets on Klook: ruclips.net/video/zwMKE3pmBP4/видео.html
Thanks for this great video. We’ve linked our Smart Ex Shinkansen Nozomi tickets to our e-suica card numbers (Apple wallet doesn’t show full Suica numbers so we got these from the Suica Finance app) and received a confirmation email. At the ticket gate we are hoping the e-suica cards will work in the same way you’ve shown to simply tap through and receive our seat reservation tickets too.
Hi, sorry to hear about your issues. Are you in Japan or not yet? If you are not in Japan, please try again once in Japan. If not, I think Klook is the next best option.
@@przemekpawlowski1656 In Japan it is not a problem. However, we have issues with many Japanese websites accepting Visa. So it's good to also have a MasterCard or AMEX because if Visa doesn't work, the others usually do.
Hi Kensho, thank you for the very informative video. I’m planning to book tickets way in advance for a large group for travel in Dec 2024. Smartex allows me to book but has disclaimer that train number and timing may change. There is also no way to choose seats. Do u have experience booking more than 30 days ahead and later be able to change seats (so the family can sit close together) when the train number and timing gets confirmed when it hits the 30days in advance mark?
Hi, yes because you want to book more than 30 days out those seats and trains are not yet finalized. Only a very select number of seats are available to book more than 30 days out. Therefore, you can't choose your seats. However, yes you can change your seat reservations once you are within the 30 day window of your travel date on the shinkansen. In fact, you can change it multiple times if you want at no extra charge. I don't think you will have a problem getting seats together unless you are traveling right around new year. So once you are within your 30 day window try to make your seat change.
Thanks so much for the information! Sorry if I missed this, but if you are linking your bullet train ticket to your IC card on your mobile device, do you just hover your phone over the gate, like you would do for the metro trains, and it spits out your seat reservation ticket?
Yes, just tap your phone at the automatic ticket gate and walk through. The seat reservation information will pop up at the other end of the ticket gate, for you to collect.
Can you add IC card later? We won't have them until we get to Japan but want to see if we can get a discount by buying early like it was suggested in the video. Mahalo in advance!
Thanks for your videos! Very helpful. 😊 I was wondering... can I buy the shinkansen ticket now from the US using the SmartEX site, then link the ticket later to the IC card? I want to reserve early and get a discount, but don’t have the physical IC card yet. I have an android phone. I was thinking about picking up the IC card in Japan when we land in June.
Hi, I've never tried purchasing a ticket with SmartEx outside of Japan but as long as you can complete the registration process then I believe it will work. Yes, you can associate your IC card with your ticket at any time. You can also change, add new ones, or remove at any time before your travel time. The best place to get an IC card will be at the airport since they are in short supply.
Great video and extremely helpful travel tips! Got a question, if we purchase Hayatoku-21 tickets with specific time of departure, can we change the time (with or without change fees) if our flight is delayed or do we lose the tickets altogether? Thank you.
Hi, usually you cannot change Hayatoku since they are discounted for a particular day/time. I suggest you visit a JR ticket office if you run into issues. Hopefully, if seats are available, they will let you ride in unreserved.
Thank you so much for this!🙏🏻 Question: when buying multiple tickets with smartEX connected to one Suica card (that has a number) in iPhone Wallet, how do we all pass through the ticket gate?
Hi, if you are purchasing multiple tickets for multiple people then each person needs to have their own Suica or other IC Card. This can be either a physical IC card or digital. You can only connect one person's tickets to one Suica. So if you are purchasing multiple tickets for just one person, then no problem. Otherwise, each person needs to have their own IC card so they can each tap in and out of the gates.
@@KenshoQuest Genuinely, thank you so much for your time and shared expertise. After reading your reply three times, while the mechanics are still not clear how I purchase tickets for everybody and connect it to their individual cards so that they can go through the gate (I fault myself, not you🙏🏻) you have given me the courage to just try it and figure it out. Again, thank you 😊 Truly, I'm just trying to figure out how I can pay for the tickets on one iPhone and attach the tickets to multiple cards - my girlfriend's card and my card. Sorry for my confusion 😊 Here's to the next adventure 🔥
Hello, At 9:19, Does the ticket that spit out tell you which platform? How are you able to know where to board the Shinkansen; by departure time and train type (i.e. Nozumi)? Also, when exiting Shinkansen Ticket Gate, we have to tap the IC Card at exit right? Thank you for your videos.
Hi. The Shinkansen ticket does not say the platform number. Instead, there are signs at the train station, within the Shinkansen ticket gate, that say the train name/number, time, and platform. Signage is usually easy to find, but you can also ask a train station attendant if you're having difficulty. Yes, if you are using a ticket from SmartEX that is loaded onto your IC card you will both tap in and tap out with your IC card. 🌸 Heidi
This is a bit of a cheat, but is it possible to buy a reserved shinkansen ticket for morning and get the early reservation discount, but then board a shinkansen after the reservation time sitting in the unreserved cart? My understanding is that if one purchases a reserved seat, but misses their train time, they can still ride the shinkansen at a later time within the same day but have to sit in the unreserved seats?
Be careful with the discounts offered on SmartEX, some of the discounted tickets do not allow taking a different train, it must be the exact train time booked. Also, reserved seat tickets are more expensive than unreserved, so if you plan to ride unreserved it's better just to buy an unreserved ticket in the first place.
I downloaded smart ex - should i wait till i arrive to get my IC card to get the discount to one-way it to kyoto from tokyo in sept? coming from california to japan in sept. thanks
You can purchase your ticket ahead of time on SmartEX. Once you get to Japan and get your IC card, you can log into your SmartEX account and designate your IC card.
I live in Canada. I would like to purchase a Shinkansen ticket online through Smartex prior to arriving in Tokyo. I can’t link the ticket to my digital SUICA card since I don’t have a SUICA card number to record. When I arrive in Japan and buy a physical SUICA card can I go back in to Smartex and input the SUICA card number. Thanks for your help.
Yes, you can later designate an IC card to a ticket you already purchased on SmartEX. If you would like to link the ticket to your digital Suica card, here is how to figure out your card number: Install the Suica Finance app on your phone. - Open the Suica card in Apple Wallet - Tap on the three dots icon (...) on the top right corner of the phone - Select "Card Details" - Select "Open" in Suica Finance App - In the Suica Finance app, you will see the Suica card that you added -- tap on the card and you will see the full card number.
This is such a great channel. Quick question... How does SmartEX deliver the tickets to you if you've not yet left for Japan? Do they send you a QR code, or, do they mail them? Also, once in Japan, can a Welcome Suica card be linked to those tickets later?
Hi, great question. All will be via the app, web app or email. You'll have access to your tickets once you purchase. Yes, Welcome Suica will work and can be done anytime up to a few minutes before your travel time.
@@KenshoQuest Thanks. If you don't transfer to a Welcome Suica card, how do you convert the digital version in the app/email/QR to a real ticket? I assume this must be done?
You can get the QR code from the SmartEX app. Or if you do need a real ticket, you can get that from the SmartEX capable vending machine. You just need to enter your information and it will print your ticket. If you need assistance, there is usually staff nearby.
I plan to prebook my shinkansen ticket from kyoto to tokyo before I get to japan so I won't have an IC card yet when I book. Can I still use SmartEX to book my shinkansen ticket and link it up to my IC card later when I gey it?
Aloha Heidi and George!!! I was wondering how can we use the SmartEX app QR code to board multiple travelers? For example, purchased 4 Adult Travelers on the SmartEX app traveling together. Mahalos
Hi - we’re into our last week of 3 week Japan trip and we’ve really benefited from your videos very much! Arigato gozaimasu! 😊 I’m a guitar player, so thanks for your tip about the Fender shop in Tokyo. Do you have any tips on used guitar shops in Tokyo? I’d love to score a great deal on a solid wood Yairi or Yamaha acoustic guitar and take it back to Canada. Again, many thanks for your videos!
Hi, so glad to know our videos have been helpful 🙏🏼. For used guitar's, this is a long shot but try Hard Off. There are many throughout Tokyo and Japan. Also, the more common Book Off also sometimes sells musical instruments. We've spent too much time and money in these stores over the years and you might too ;)
Thank you so much for the very informative videos. I purchased 2 Shinkansen tickets using Ekinet for myself and my 5 year old child. I wanted a seat for my 5 year old, so I purchased him a reserved seat ticket just to be safe. Now, I am ready to link my tickets to my IC cards but realized my 5 year old does not have a card. Do I link the Shinkansen ticket to my Suica card and leave the link information blank on for my son? Since my son is only 5 years old he can go through the gate without a ticket. However, how do I prove that we purchased him a reserved ticket seat when on board? Do I somehow get the seat information card at a ticket machine for my son? Thank you again!
Hello, sorry to bother you. I was watching your RUclips video how to buy at SmartEX, great, thank you very much. I have a doubt. My partner and I traveled on September 16. We wanted to buy the tickets with a baggage reservation. My doubt is the following. We received the Welcome Suica, which has a 28-day expiration date. If I buy the tickets with the N26 credit card, but I associate the suica cards (they already arrived at our house), does the expiration time of the card start to run? Thank you so much
HI, I do not know for sure but your Welcome Suica most likely will not be activated until first use, since it was mailed to you. For now, I do not recommend you associating your Welcome Suica to your Smart Ex just in case it causes an automatic activation.
Hope you can help me on this. My wife and I are soon going to Japan and are about to order our Shinkansen Tickets. We already have a digital Suica card each and the Suica Finance app. If I want to by the Shinkansen tickets and link them to our seperate digital Suica cards, how would I do that?
@@KenshoQuest To me, it looks like you are using the app on your smart phone. I am located in Denmark and I the Smart EX app is not available. How can I do this from the website? I can't find "My IC card list".
I have registered for the account but once I log off, I am unable to log back in with the same member ID and password. Is this a common issue and is there a solution?
I had a similar issue but it was a couple of years ago. When I first created my account it was with my email address, later they changed to using the ID. So my question is, is your username a string of numbers? If so, it should work as this is the correct method. Second, here is the login page that works for me: shinkansen2.jr-central.co.jp/RSV_P/smart_en_index.htm
Quick question, I have a digital apple IC card and using the smart ex app, and I've designated my ticket to my IC card. Can I till use my IC card for regular transit (trains/busses) without it thinking I want to use my shinkansen ticket? Because my shinkansen trip isn't like midway through our trip and we still need to get around. Or should I un-designate my IC card from the shinkansen ticket until the day we're using it?
It’s fine to keep using your digital IC card for local trains while your Shinkansen ticket is designated. There are different ticket gates for local trains vs Shinkansen trains. The system will know when you tap into a Shinkansen ticket gate. 🌸 Heidi
Great video, thanks. If you pre-paid the Shinkansen tickets on Smart-Ex before arriving in Japan, can you still register your Pasmo Cards just to scan through the gates? So, not using it to deduct the money from your Credit Card, but just to avoid using the QR Code to travel.
@KenshoQuest We are a party of 5 traveling to Japan. 2 people want to bring oversized luggage, while the 3 of us are bringing carry-on size luggage. On the Smart EX app when we are booking our Shinkansen reservations, can we book all 5 of us under one reservation, or do we need to make 2 separate reservations: one for the oversized luggage seats and another for regular seats? Thanks.
@@KenshoQuest @JR西日本 Thanks for the reply. I booked 2 separate reservations, but had to split up in different cars. Looks like oversized seats are going really fast once the 30-days prior confirmation is sent out. I have a feeling that groups are booking all oversized luggage seat reservations even though not everyone needs an oversized luggage seat. For example, I could have made one reservation for oversized luggage seats for all 5 of us to have JR group our seats together, even though only 2 of us really need the oversized seats. I hope in the future they allow booking oversized and regular seats on the same reservation.
Thanks for the great video! Question: would I (and wife) be able to use SmartEX service traveling from Nagasaki to Kyoto in September? I didn't see that route on your map of Kyushu. Thank you!
Hi, Nagasaki is not on the Kyushu portion of the line. So in order to use SmartEx you would first need to get from Nagasaki to Fukuoka. Once in Fukuoka ( Hakata Station ) then you can use SmartEX to get to Kyoto. For the Nagasaki to Hakata station you can use JRWest reservation system: e5489.jr-odekake.net/e5489/ibpc/CBTopMenuPC?LANG=en
Thank you for the helpful videos! Where would you recommend sitting on the Shinkansen in terms of carts on the reserved? Is it better to book in the earlier carts (e.g. 6) or later carts like 11-16. Also do you know if the first row on the train facing the wall has trays? Thank you so much!
Hi, If you are booking in Ordinary Reserved, I would choose a car that is closest to the Green Cars. Usually when you get to the platform, the Green Cars are the closest to walk to. So for instance, if cars 8-10 are Green Cars, I would book car 7 Ordinary Reserved. The cars at the end of the train like 15-16 might require a longer walk on the platform to reach your car. Yes, the first row facing the wall has trays.🌸 Heidi
Thank you for all the great tips!! Your videos are well organized, to the point, and super helpful! ❤ Question please: We are traveling with children but want to take advantage of the Hyatoku 28 discount tickets. I believe they are not available for children. Can we make 2 separate reservations (one for adults with hyatoku 28 and one for children with regular reserved seats) and still be able to reserve seats together? Thank you so much.
Hi, yes, since Hayatoku family discounts are not common you should be able to make two separate reservations and try to get your seats next to each other, which I don't think will be an issue if you are booking in advance.
Aloha! We will be in Japan in next month (July), I downloaded the SmartEx app and have my Suica card registered from a previous trip. Our group is 7pax so we'll be making two reservations (since max is 6 pax/resv). Some ppl have physical cards (like me), others have the digital card, would you suggest we do the QR code method to get the tickets transferred to those with the digital cards? Also, if I try to book the resv (we're more then 30 days out at this point), the Hayatoku 28 and Hayatoku 21 discounts don't appear - on some trains they show but are grayed out). Do they block that discount on certain dates/trains? For example, going from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka on 7/14....7/15 looks like it's a holiday so am wondering if they don't offer the discount on busy travel days? Mahalo in advance for your insights!
Aloha! The Hayatoku discounts probably aren't available on holidays. You can designate a digital IC card on SmartEX. However, you will first need to figure out your entire IC card number. From the digital card, if you click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner and select "Card Number" it only shows the last 4 digits. Here's how to get the full number: If you have a digital PASMO card, install the PASMO Finance app on your phone. When you open the app it shows your balance and your full card number. If you have a digital SUICA card, install the Suica Finance app on your phone. - Open the Suica card in Apple Wallet - Tap on the three dots icon (...) on the top right corner of the phone - Select "Card Details" - Select "Open" in Suica Finance App - In the Suica Finance app, you will see the Suica card that you added -- tap on the card and you will see the full card number.
Thank you for your sharing, one question, not sure if have solutions. If I bought 3 tickets for my family by Smart EX, how to share their QR code to them ?
Hi, if you are using the QR Code method, printing them out will work for sure. You can view them one at a time from the app. Or you can also try the screenshot method ( take 3 screenshots ) but as mentioned, I personally have not tested this.
If my flight were delayed, can I change my smart ex reserve seat shinkansen ticket online? Does Narita Airport have a Smart Ex ticketing machine? Can I change the reserve seat ticket thru a smart EX machine? Am I able to change the reservation ticket 10 min before departure? . Sorry that I ask quite a lot of questions hopefully I can get some information from you. Your channel did help explain a lot about shinkansen but I need some details on the change of reservation seats ticket timing.
Thank you for the video, explained very detailed! Unfortunately, if I try to load the App from Apple App Store in Germany, I get "not available in your region" - do you a solution please?
SmartEX doesn't cover Tohoku. Either Klook or JR East's eki-net www.eki-net.com/en/jreast-train-reservation/Top/Index. Here's our video on booking on Klook: ruclips.net/video/GD0Tp7zGSeo/видео.html
The problem is how can I link the tickets to the IC card when I don’t have a IC card? We are planning to go in June. I would like to purchase the train tickets in advance.
IC cards are valid for 10 years after last use. If you used it last year, it should be fine. The 10 years starts over again since the last time you used it.
Hi. Now that the price of the Whole Japan Rail Pass has increased to 50,000 Yen per 7-day pass, it's not as likely to save you money unless you are traveling far distances and stopping at many cities within a short amount of time. Yes, the JR Pass is convenient and unlimited. But depending upon your route it might cost more than buying individual single-journey Shinkansen tickets. Here's our video explaining how to figure out if the JR Pass is worth it for your trip: ruclips.net/video/hsrZpVYH-ls/видео.html
Hi, Klook does offer coupons frequently, they currently have a coupon for up to $10 off here ( SKS10OFF ): geni.us/shinkansen But do note that Klook does charge a 10% surcharge.
@@KenshoQuest Sorry, it is a lot to learn for the first time people to Japan. Where should I book the speeding train ticket online without 10% surcharge? Again, you are the best! Thanks.
@@jennyc1905 Then you're back at smart-ex.jp/en/index.php or www.eki-net.com/en/jreast-train-reservation/Top/Index depending upon where you will travel.
Sorry, I have one more question. I am also traveling with an 8 year. We purchased the 8 year old a shinkansen E ticket to be used with an IC card but the 8 year old does not have an IC card. Do we have to purchase him an IC card or is there a way to print his ticket at the train station? I really appreciate your help. Thank you
You could print his ticket from a reserved seat ticketing machine at the train station. Also, here's how to get a Child SUICA card: ruclips.net/video/BbvQurJdOnc/видео.html
Hi I’ve been watching your japan videos in youtube and I was wondering if you can answer my question since I couldn’t find it online. So I’m planning on buying shinkansen tickets from klook before our flight tomorrow (from shinagawa to kyoto then back), and I was wondering if we can pick up those tickets in Haneda airport? I think it would be less hassle than picking it up on the actual day of commute since it’s the golden week and train stations are packed. Let me know what you think thanks a lot ❤️❤️❤️
Hi, do you have the QR Code? If yes, then you can pick up at Haneda. Just visit the JR ticketing machine. This video shows you the location: ruclips.net/video/YImX1rMFRrk/видео.html
Hi, you cannot directly purchase on your IC card. You first need to purchase your ticket on SmartEX, then you can designate your Suica card on your phone.
Hi, it depends on the distance. In the video, it is only a simple example of going from Tokyo to Yokohama, which is very close to each other so it only cost 1,380 Yen for a non-reserved seat. Going from Tokyo to Kyoto will cost closer to 14,000 yen. You can save with the Hayatoku discounts if you book at least 21 days in advance.
Hi Kensho Quest. I just registered with Smart EX, and was researching prices for the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo in June. I saw the Hayatoku-21 and Hayatoku-28 Wide fares, which appear to be the discount fares you mentioned in the video. But why does Hayatoku-28 Wide have a note "[Cannot change]" next to it, whereas the Hayatoku-21 Wide has no such warning? Are they saying that the 21-day-prior-to travel-date discount fare actually allows exchanges/refunds, whereas the 28-day-prior-to travel-date discount does not? I'm confused. Do you know? The prices are 11,690 yen for the Hayatoku-28 Wide, and the Hayatoku-21 Wide is just a tiny bit more at 11,820 yen. Is it better to get the 21-day version if that's the one that is more flexible in terms of exchanges/refunds? Or am I interpreting this all wrong? Thank you.
Hi, the wording can be confusing. I do not know for sure but most likely the Hayatoku 28 days cannot be changed once reserved. This is because these fares are based on the number of days before your trip. with 21 day Hayatoku you could have purchased up to a month in advance. This means you can change your reservation for a hayatoku 21 until you are within those 21 days. So you would have 9 days. After that time, even the Hayatoku 21 may no longer qualify if seats aren't available and if you changed your reservation you would most likely need to pay the difference to the next discounted fare ( if any ) since it will be less than 21 days and there might not be availability. Since the prices are very similar, the 21 day option is a safer choice but for any type of refund for discounted tickets, it may be easiest to visit a JR ticket office.
@@KenshoQuest Thanks so much for the explanation. I trust your advice, since you are better informed than I am about how Japanese trains and fares work. It sounds like the Hayatoku-21 fare is the way to go. :)
Sorry, digital IC cards are not available on Android phones, unless your phone was purchased in Japan. Any of the three IC cards we mentioned will work throughout most of Japan: ICOCA, Welcome SUICA, or PASMO Passport.
Hi, yes, as long as you can register for an account then you can purchase a ticket ahead of time either via their mobile or web application. You can always designate your IC card later and make changes.
Hi, this might happen after hours Japan time as they are often down for maintenance after 11PM Japan time. Otherwise, please try a different web browser.
Hi, we haven't tried it yet, but most likely yes. One issue you may run into is that the mobile IC Card app doesn't show the whole number. A fellow viewer shared that they were able to get this number using the Suica Finance app. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Hello, could you explain how this works if you only have a mobile Suica card, instead of the physical one used in the video? I was able to link it in the SmartEX app but am not sure if it also could give an error, just as the QR/Mobile card situation you explained
Hi, I understand your concern but if you follow the advice in the video I don't think you will have any issues ;). Though worst case, you can always use the QR Code or ask attendant for help.
Great Tips. Headed to Japan in one month. Questions 1) your past videos suggested use Klook to purchase these tickets. Are you suggesting we use SmartEX now? 2) will be using the Nozomi train. I know the day we want to travel, but not the time. If I don't reserve a time, will I still be able to get a seat (not sure how busy it will get late May early June)? 3) If I do reserve, is it easy to change (assuming there is space of course) if I wanted to go later in the same day? Thanks in advance
HI, 1) We still recommend Klook! SmartEX is just another option that will work for travelers heading along the Tokaido-Sanyo-Kyushu lines. If you are traveling outside of this area then Klook is still the best (easiest) option. 2) If you know you want to reserve a seat then make sure you purchase a reserved seat and not non-reserved as it will be easier to change later since there is a price difference between non-reserved and reserved. However, your travel time is not during holiday season so as long as you are not traveling during peak hours of the day you will probably not have a problem riding in non-reserved without a reservation. I just rode on the Nozomi a few days ago at peak travel time and there were plenty of seats in non-reserved. There are at least 3 non-reserved cars in the Nozomi so check them all if one is crowded. 3) If you do reserve, yes, it's pretty easy to change within the app. Just make sure you do this before your travel time! Otherwise, you can still ride on the Nozomi just only in non-reserved. Hope this helps!
Thank you so much for this! I've been so worried on how to visually show my mom how to ride the shinkansen as she will be riding it alone and i found this helpful video!
You’re welcome! Here’s our other video that explains about riding Shinkansen trains in Japan: ruclips.net/video/f3JDRc5sl5I/видео.htmlsi=7m02CWgNKVIU0KvV
Yes, you should get a QR code for each ticket. If you do not, don't worry, just scan that one and it should still dispense all of your tickets - The system may get updated to only use one.
I know from Narita airport I have to go to Tokyo airport or go on the Narita express to Shinagawa station, ride the Shinkansen to Osaka but is there another direct train to Yodoyanashi station? Just curious, when I land after my long flight I would prefer to not have to ride about 3 trains to get to my destination in Yodoyabashi station as my hotel is walking distance from that train station.
Hi, I do not think there are any locations in Tokyo that are currently selling ICOCA cards. But you can try to get the PASMO Passport or Welcome Suica/Regular Suica at the airports in Tokyo.
Hello!! If I buy tickets for 2 persons at a time I understand I'll get just one QR code so just one IC card will work? I have to purchase separately if l want my partner's IC card to work?? Please I hope you can answer me. By the way thank you so much for this video 😊
You can purchase multiple tickets at one time on SmartEX and then designate a separate IC card for each ticket. Each individual person would tap their own IC card to use their ticket.
How do you designate the IC card after purchasing ticket? I have a family account which have 4 people. How do I designate an IC for each of us after purchasing tickets?
I purchased 4 tickets on the smartex app. If I’m to use the QR code at the gate, do I scan the code again after each person passes through? Thanks for the video. It’s very helpful.
Hi, yes, just make sure each person picks up their seat information at the other end of the gate. You might be asked by the train attendant to show this. Also, consider printing out the QR code as some users have issues.
Hello! What if for example, you bought a ticket from Osaka to Hiroshima on a certain date, but you use your Suica card to travel between cities other than Hiroshima (i.e., Kobe, Himeji, Kyoto). Will the Suica recognize that this is not the ticket you bought your original journey for? Thanks!
Yes, the Suica card knows the difference. There are ticket gates for riding local trains and separate ticket gates specifically for Shinkansen trains. The card will recognize when you tap into a Shinkansen ticket gate. 🌸 Heidi
@@KenshoQuest Thanks for the very informative answer! :) What about if I ride other Shinkansen trains on dates in between my journey for Osaka to Hiroshima? Would the Shinkansen gate and Suica card still know the difference?
You can designate a digital IC card on SmartEX. However, you will first need to figure out your entire IC card number. From the digital card, if you click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner and select "Card Number" it only shows the last 4 digits. Here's how to get the full number:
If you have a digital PASMO card, install the PASMO Finance app on your phone. When you open the app it shows your balance and your full card number.
If you have a digital SUICA card, install the Suica Finance app on your phone.
- Open the Suica card in Apple Wallet
- Tap on the three dots icon (...) on the top right corner of the phone
- Select "Card Details"
- Select "Open" in Suica Finance App
- In the Suica Finance app, you will see the Suica card that you added -- tap on the card and you will see the full card number.
Is it the same for the ICOCA IC card?
I haven't tried it, since I don't have a digital ICOCA card, but you could try installing this app: モバイルICOCA
@@KenshoQuest Thx, your channel has been invaluable to plan my trip!
@@MattiaMonticelli Please let us know if it works!
Hello thank you for your videos, I have a question If I had a baggage about 150 cm what is the option for me : Seat with oversized baggage area" or ”Seat with oversized baggage compartment, I am confused 😟. And you said if I have the suica car in my wallet, I have to turn off for use my QR from smart ex, right?
There are so many Japanese related channel out there, but this is the only one I come to for information
This video is so easy to understand. Well done! I love learning about easier ways to travel and purchase Shinkansen tickets. Your videos has helped my family of 5 plan for our upcoming trip on June. Thank you for continuing to create quality video content. Really appreciate it! Look forward to more videos and tips.
Glad it was helpful!
Not only did your video answer many of my questions, but your update in the comments about finding my mobile suica number so I can add it to my SmartEx app was the cherry on top. Thank you!
You're welcome. And, thank you!
My wife and I have kept our Suica cards for years now. Wasn't sure it would work on this trip, but it did!
Japan is such a difficult place to figure out travel. Why? Stations have different entrances for different train lines. Day passes only work on some lines and not others. Some ticket machines can add value to your IC card while others can't. Yikes! Too many variables. Thank you RUclips!😂
Hey Darryl, hope you had a great trip! Your Suica is good for 10 years, but you probably new that! 🤙
Nope, didn't know that. Thanks. Everytime we come to Japan "will our Suica card work?"😂
@@darrylk808 I'm curious... I'm gonna ask, cause I wonder if you use it within 10 years does it reset? hmmm... I'll get back to you!
@@KenshoQuest According to the information, either the Suica or Pasmo card expires after "10 years of last use." If someone travels to Japan and uses either IC card up to 9 years, 364 days (not including a leap year), then it should continue to work for the next decade. I believe Japan did this to avoid swapping out cards all the time when the 10 year mark comes up.
@@bryanokazaki1710 Awesome, thanks for sharing this information, makes total sense!
Thank you. Very helpful and helps to visualize. Key takeaway for me was not to have the e-Suica and QR ticket in my Apple Wallet at the same time.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you! This is exactly the succinct, step by step video that we needed! And the disabling transit card i. The wallet - who knew? So glad i clicked!
Thank you!!
Extremely well organized and presented. Thanks!
Thank you! Glad it was helpful.
Thanks so much for the invaluable info. Currently in Tokyo, and just wanted to mention a couple of things as I just designated the IC cards for my family's travel to Kyoto tomorrow. I purchased 6 tickets for our group in my SmartEX account, but you are only able to designate a total of 5 IC cards in each account, so one person would have to use a different method (QR code, etc). In our case, I learned that you can only designate a child IC card for a child ticket reservation. Since we got my youngest daughter a regular Welcome Suica since that is what's available right now, I was not able to designate her IC card to her child shinkansen reservation. Instead, I saved the QR code for her ticket on my apple wallet. Fingers crossed it all works out. Thanks again!
Thank you for sharing our experience and valuable information!
finally someone made a video on this!!!
I couldn't get the app working for my trip this past February. Finally got it working and hooked up my suica card. Now, I'm all set for my next trip this coming November. Thanks for al the info.
Glad you were able to get it set up!
This is a well explained video. I appreciate your content. Thanks!
Thank u sir for your thorough explanation! but i just find the japan smart ex system is so ironic cos I cant install the app since my phone region is not japan. So i have to use the web. It would be waaay more convenient to use the app. Still i thank u so much for the video tutorial. Im going to kyoto tomorrow for the first time and i just linked my ic suica card to my reservation. I hope everything goes well 😂
Have a safe trip!
OMG! I just found your channel. Great to see your family adventures and tips. Yes it's me 😊
OMG indeed! Are you all planning a trip to Japan? Hope you are all well! 🤙🏼
No plans yet but we would love to. We know who to ask for advice when the time comes. All is well here.
sorry if this has been asked. if i link a schinkansen ticket to an IC card and subsequently loose/misplace IC card do i loose the value of the IC card and the shinkansen ticket?
Hi, as long as someone else hasn't picked up your IC card and used it to ride on your journey then you can go into your settings in the SmartEx app and either change or remove the designated IC card.
Hi, firstly great video explaining the Smartex ic process. I’m preparing for a Japan trip later this year and I’ve signed up to Smartex to understand how the hayatoku 21/28 discounts work. I understand it applies only to adult fares, but if I’m travelling with a child, can I book the adult fares separately to take advantage of the hayatoku 21/28 prices, and then book my child’s fare separately but then seat us together? NB I did notice the alternative option, hayatoku 3 family nozomi tickets, were only available on the weekends and family discounts on weekdays were limited to the slow kodama shinkansen. Thanks in advance
This video was so helpful! Thank you so much!
Glad to have helped!
Gracias por la info❤, con mi pareja usamos solo nuestras welcome suica con smart ex y no tuvimos problemas!
Great video! I had a wonderful time in Tohoku last month thanks to Klook!
Thank you for the information!
Great to hear, thank you!!
If I reserve my Shinkansen tickets now with the Smart-EX service, I am planning on using the QR tickets as a backup, can I designate or assign the IC cards later when we arrive in Japan and get the IC cards there?
Yes, you can designate the IC cards later once you get them in Japan.
I followed this on our trip from Tokyo to Osaka (very helpful!), but it wasn’t clear that it is REQUIRED to have an IC card to enter the main part of Tokyo Station to buy the ekiben boxes. There was a small selection in the Shinkansen section and other goodies. We could only enter Tokyo station on the Shinkansen entrance (where all the buses are). They wouldn’t allow us to enter the Marunochi side with Smart Ex QR code. I am guessing perhaps this is a change since this video was done due to security reasons which makes sense to the American mind. I will buy a IC card when we go from Osaka to Kyoto and then be better prepared so I can get a ekiben box on the return from Kyoto to Tokyo!
We recommend that all travelers to Japan get an IC card. It's the easiest way to pay for local transportation, and as you mentioned, to enter train stations.
I purchased my SmartEx tickets from Tokyo to Kyoto but the app doesn't tell me any information about departure time or departure station or gate or anything. Am I missing something or where can I find this information?
Hi. Did you purchase non-reserved or reserved seat?
@@KenshoQuest non reserved
@@dailengarciarosales5041 Since it’s non-reserved there isn’t a specific time, just any time that day. Departure station is Tokyo Station and arrival station is Kyoto Station. There will be signs at the train station indicating which Platform to board the train.
@@KenshoQuest thanks you so much! Y’all’s channel has made our trip to Japan so much more manageable. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
great video and concise .... thanks mate
Extremely helpful your videos . Thanks ! Question : I’m purchasing shin Osaka to shin Fuji . I need to transfer in Nagoya . Nonzomi-Nagoya train . 4 minutes from one train to the other . Is this doable ? I’m purchasing the SmartEx . Thanks in advance for the help 😊
Hi, glad our videos are helpful :). 4 minutes is only doable if the platform is just across the way. For instance, platform 1 to platform 2. But since Smart EX is offering this, there probably is a good chance you can make it. worst case scenario, if you miss your train, which is changing to the Kodama, you can hop on the next one, you just won't have a reserved seat ( ride unreserved ). Another option is to check either an earlier or later train. Some have longer transfer times. Good luck!
I'm going to be visiting Japan from NZ in a few weeks. I'll be riding the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo and have a Suica card from an earlier trip.
Your vid is highly instructional with the exception that the mobile SmartEx app that you show is not available from my country necessitating the use of the website instead.
Questions
1. Presumably the website mirrors the app (or visa versa) in that a physical Suica card can be attached to your account?
2. How does the Suica card know that you're travelling specifically on the Shinkansen and not just generally in the rail network? A 2nd set of gates perhaps?
3. Why does the Suica card not ping you for not swiping off in your origin city... or does it count your swipe off at your destination?
4. Assuming that the destination station is not your final destination, presumably one can simply ride the local destinations rail network & swipe off at the final destination
I ask as you haven't stated these explicitly and the last thing a traveler wants is to be wandering around Japan not understanding what he's doing.
Hi!
1) The SmartEX website functions in a similar manner to the SmartEX app. Yes, you can use the website to designate a physical Suica card for your Shinkansen ticket.
2) There are specific Shinkansen ticket gates. It will say in large writing above the gates "Shinkansen Tracks". The Suica card knows when you tap into a specific Shinkansen gate.
3) Sorry, I don't understand your question. When using a Suica card for transportation, you tap in at your starting station and tap out at your arrival station. If you are riding local transportation, it deducts the cost when you tap out.
4) When you arrive at your Shinkansen station, you will tap out of a Shinkansen ticket gate. If you still need to take a local train, you will tap in through the local train ticket gate. And then tap out when you arrive at your destination.
Please let me know if that answers your questions. I wasn't quite sure what you were asking in 3 and 4. We have many videos here on Kensho Quest about riding trains in Japan. Here is our playlist about Shinkansen and limited express trains: ruclips.net/p/PLaTfVBw5xI8I5umQraA24OXhgEYW4nDME 🌸 Heidi
@@KenshoQuest Apologies, never having done this before, I'm not really sure how it all works.
Regarding 1, I'll register with the website & register my Suica now that I'm sure of what to expect.
What I read in 2. is that you pass thru a single set of gates designated ONLY for Shinkansen and therefore there is no interaction with the local train network.
Your explanation to 4. clarified the operation of 3 & 4. My earlier impression was that using a Suica meant that it was first necessary to swipe into the local train network before entering the Shinkansen area. Your explanation makes more sense. I guess that one can enter the gate using a Shinkansen ticket only and having it attached to the Suica is merely a nice way of streamlining the process.
Thanks for clarifying that for me. At least now, there'll be one less clueless tourist running around annoying the locals... or perhaps still a clueless tourist but with one less annoying problem for the locals?
Still can’t even register an account - I’ll try once I’m actually in Japan.
Neither visa or Mastercard have worked for me.
Sorry about that. There's always Klook. Our payment always works there. Here's our separate video on how to buy Shinkansen tickets on Klook: ruclips.net/video/zwMKE3pmBP4/видео.html
Great video, thanks. I also have the same problem. My visa card keeps getting rejected as well.
Thanks for this great video. We’ve linked our Smart Ex Shinkansen Nozomi tickets to our e-suica card numbers (Apple wallet doesn’t show full Suica numbers so we got these from the Suica Finance app) and received a confirmation email. At the ticket gate we are hoping the e-suica cards will work in the same way you’ve shown to simply tap through and receive our seat reservation tickets too.
Thanks for sharing! We believe it will work, please let us know how it goes!
How did it go using your digital SUICA card with your Shinkansen ticket?
@@KenshoQuest We are travelling soon and will certainly let you know how it went.
We tapped our ESuica with associated Nozomi ticket. It worked a treat and we sailed through the Shinkansen gate and collected our seat ticket.
@@RichardC-jw5qe Awesome! Thanks for the update.
I purchased two tickets for me and my companion will I get two separate QR codes or will there just one for the group
Hi, if you purchased them together then you will only get one QR code.
Thanks for this!
I'm trying to register a card (Visa, Mastercard) none of them work :(
Hi, sorry to hear about your issues. Are you in Japan or not yet? If you are not in Japan, please try again once in Japan. If not, I think Klook is the next best option.
Same thing happened to me, but eventually, Amex card worked.
I have only Visa and MC ;/@@bettylam5570
Hi, does Visa work normally in Japan? I wanted to buy tickets 21 days before the trip to make them cheaper
@@KenshoQuest
@@przemekpawlowski1656 In Japan it is not a problem. However, we have issues with many Japanese websites accepting Visa. So it's good to also have a MasterCard or AMEX because if Visa doesn't work, the others usually do.
Hi Kensho, thank you for the very informative video. I’m planning to book tickets way in advance for a large group for travel in Dec 2024. Smartex allows me to book but has disclaimer that train number and timing may change. There is also no way to choose seats. Do u have experience booking more than 30 days ahead and later be able to change seats (so the family can sit close together) when the train number and timing gets confirmed when it hits the 30days in advance mark?
Hi, yes because you want to book more than 30 days out those seats and trains are not yet finalized. Only a very select number of seats are available to book more than 30 days out. Therefore, you can't choose your seats. However, yes you can change your seat reservations once you are within the 30 day window of your travel date on the shinkansen. In fact, you can change it multiple times if you want at no extra charge. I don't think you will have a problem getting seats together unless you are traveling right around new year. So once you are within your 30 day window try to make your seat change.
Thanks so much for the information! Sorry if I missed this, but if you are linking your bullet train ticket to your IC card on your mobile device, do you just hover your phone over the gate, like you would do for the metro trains, and it spits out your seat reservation ticket?
Yes, just tap your phone at the automatic ticket gate and walk through. The seat reservation information will pop up at the other end of the ticket gate, for you to collect.
Nice idea to make it easier to get Shinkansen tickets, however not available for anyone in the UK or Europe
Hi, it is unfortunate. Hopefully, they will add Europe soon! In the mean time you can use the web app: smart-ex.jp/en/index.php
Can you add IC card later? We won't have them until we get to Japan but want to see if we can get a discount by buying early like it was suggested in the video. Mahalo in advance!
Yes, you can designate the IC card later once you are in Japan.
@@KenshoQuest mahalo braddah! Sorry I'm assuming you're either from Hawaii or have Hawaii ties from some of the clues from the videos. Shoots brah!
Thanks for your videos! Very helpful. 😊
I was wondering... can I buy the shinkansen ticket now from the US using the SmartEX site, then link the ticket later to the IC card? I want to reserve early and get a discount, but don’t have the physical IC card yet. I have an android phone. I was thinking about picking up the IC card in Japan when we land in June.
Hi, I've never tried purchasing a ticket with SmartEx outside of Japan but as long as you can complete the registration process then I believe it will work. Yes, you can associate your IC card with your ticket at any time. You can also change, add new ones, or remove at any time before your travel time. The best place to get an IC card will be at the airport since they are in short supply.
Thank you!
Great video and extremely helpful travel tips!
Got a question, if we purchase Hayatoku-21 tickets with specific time of departure, can we change the time (with or without change fees) if our flight is delayed or do we lose the tickets altogether? Thank you.
Hi, usually you cannot change Hayatoku since they are discounted for a particular day/time. I suggest you visit a JR ticket office if you run into issues. Hopefully, if seats are available, they will let you ride in unreserved.
Thank you so much for this!🙏🏻 Question: when buying multiple tickets with smartEX connected to one Suica card (that has a number) in iPhone Wallet, how do we all pass through the ticket gate?
Hi, if you are purchasing multiple tickets for multiple people then each person needs to have their own Suica or other IC Card. This can be either a physical IC card or digital. You can only connect one person's tickets to one Suica. So if you are purchasing multiple tickets for just one person, then no problem. Otherwise, each person needs to have their own IC card so they can each tap in and out of the gates.
@@KenshoQuest Genuinely, thank you so much for your time and shared expertise. After reading your reply three times, while the mechanics are still not clear how I purchase tickets for everybody and connect it to their individual cards so that they can go through the gate (I fault myself, not you🙏🏻) you have given me the courage to just try it and figure it out. Again, thank you 😊
Truly, I'm just trying to figure out how I can pay for the tickets on one iPhone and attach the tickets to multiple cards - my girlfriend's card and my card. Sorry for my confusion 😊
Here's to the next adventure 🔥
Hello, At 9:19, Does the ticket that spit out tell you which platform? How are you able to know where to board the Shinkansen; by departure time and train type (i.e. Nozumi)? Also, when exiting Shinkansen Ticket Gate, we have to tap the IC Card at exit right? Thank you for your videos.
Hi. The Shinkansen ticket does not say the platform number. Instead, there are signs at the train station, within the Shinkansen ticket gate, that say the train name/number, time, and platform. Signage is usually easy to find, but you can also ask a train station attendant if you're having difficulty. Yes, if you are using a ticket from SmartEX that is loaded onto your IC card you will both tap in and tap out with your IC card. 🌸 Heidi
@@KenshoQuest Thank you very much for your response and your channel. We look forward.
This is a bit of a cheat, but is it possible to buy a reserved shinkansen ticket for morning and get the early reservation discount, but then board a shinkansen after the reservation time sitting in the unreserved cart? My understanding is that if one purchases a reserved seat, but misses their train time, they can still ride the shinkansen at a later time within the same day but have to sit in the unreserved seats?
Be careful with the discounts offered on SmartEX, some of the discounted tickets do not allow taking a different train, it must be the exact train time booked. Also, reserved seat tickets are more expensive than unreserved, so if you plan to ride unreserved it's better just to buy an unreserved ticket in the first place.
@@KenshoQuest Thank you! Yes, I realized that afterwards. Thank you so much for response!
I downloaded smart ex - should i wait till i arrive to get my IC card to get the discount to one-way it to kyoto from tokyo in sept? coming from california to japan in sept. thanks
You can purchase your ticket ahead of time on SmartEX. Once you get to Japan and get your IC card, you can log into your SmartEX account and designate your IC card.
I live in Canada. I would like to purchase a Shinkansen ticket online through Smartex prior to arriving in Tokyo. I can’t link the ticket to my digital SUICA card since I don’t have a SUICA card number to record. When I arrive in Japan and buy a physical SUICA card can I go back in to Smartex and input the SUICA card number. Thanks for your help.
Yes, you can later designate an IC card to a ticket you already purchased on SmartEX. If you would like to link the ticket to your digital Suica card, here is how to figure out your card number:
Install the Suica Finance app on your phone.
- Open the Suica card in Apple Wallet
- Tap on the three dots icon (...) on the top right corner of the phone
- Select "Card Details"
- Select "Open" in Suica Finance App
- In the Suica Finance app, you will see the Suica card that you added -- tap on the card and you will see the full card number.
Thank you so much. That has been very helpful
This is such a great channel. Quick question... How does SmartEX deliver the tickets to you if you've not yet left for Japan? Do they send you a QR code, or, do they mail them? Also, once in Japan, can a Welcome Suica card be linked to those tickets later?
Hi, great question. All will be via the app, web app or email. You'll have access to your tickets once you purchase. Yes, Welcome Suica will work and can be done anytime up to a few minutes before your travel time.
@@KenshoQuest Thanks. If you don't transfer to a Welcome Suica card, how do you convert the digital version in the app/email/QR to a real ticket? I assume this must be done?
You can get the QR code from the SmartEX app. Or if you do need a real ticket, you can get that from the SmartEX capable vending machine. You just need to enter your information and it will print your ticket. If you need assistance, there is usually staff nearby.
We will be in Japan next month, first Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto/Nagoya/Tokyo.
Thank you always for providing helpful advice.🙏
Hey same. Similar itinerary as well.
How did it go? We going to Osaka first than Tokyo.
I plan to prebook my shinkansen ticket from kyoto to tokyo before I get to japan so I won't have an IC card yet when I book. Can I still use SmartEX to book my shinkansen ticket and link it up to my IC card later when I gey it?
Yes. You can designate your IC card later, once you get it.
Aloha Heidi and George!!! I was wondering how can we use the SmartEX app QR code to board multiple travelers? For example, purchased 4 Adult Travelers on the SmartEX app traveling together. Mahalos
Hi. You can share one QR code to each person, so everyone has one on their phone. Or print out the QR codes.
Hi - we’re into our last week of 3 week Japan trip and we’ve really benefited from your videos very much! Arigato gozaimasu! 😊 I’m a guitar player, so thanks for your tip about the Fender shop in Tokyo. Do you have any tips on used guitar shops in Tokyo? I’d love to score a great deal on a solid wood Yairi or Yamaha acoustic guitar and take it back to Canada. Again, many thanks for your videos!
Hi, so glad to know our videos have been helpful 🙏🏼. For used guitar's, this is a long shot but try Hard Off. There are many throughout Tokyo and Japan. Also, the more common Book Off also sometimes sells musical instruments. We've spent too much time and money in these stores over the years and you might too ;)
@@KenshoQuest thanks for the tips - I’ll check out Hard Off and Book Off (weird names!) when we get to Tokyo.
Thank you so much for the very informative videos. I purchased 2 Shinkansen tickets using Ekinet for myself and my 5 year old child. I wanted a seat for my 5 year old, so I purchased him a reserved seat ticket just to be safe. Now, I am ready to link my tickets to my IC cards but realized my 5 year old does not have a card. Do I link the Shinkansen ticket to my Suica card and leave the link information blank on for my son? Since my son is only 5 years old he can go through the gate without a ticket. However, how do I prove that we purchased him a reserved ticket seat when on board? Do I somehow get the seat information card at a ticket machine for my son? Thank you again!
Hi. Just to clarify, did you purchase the tickets on Ekinet or SmartEX?
App doesn't work for Europe unfortunately
You can try the SmartEX website, instead.
Thank you.
You’re welcome!
Hello, sorry to bother you.
I was watching your RUclips video how to buy at SmartEX, great, thank you very much.
I have a doubt.
My partner and I traveled on September 16. We wanted to buy the tickets with a baggage reservation. My doubt is the following. We received the Welcome Suica, which has a 28-day expiration date. If I buy the tickets with the N26 credit card, but I associate the suica cards (they already arrived at our house), does the expiration time of the card start to run?
Thank you so much
HI, I do not know for sure but your Welcome Suica most likely will not be activated until first use, since it was mailed to you. For now, I do not recommend you associating your Welcome Suica to your Smart Ex just in case it causes an automatic activation.
Hope you can help me on this. My wife and I are soon going to Japan and are about to order our Shinkansen Tickets. We already have a digital Suica card each and the Suica Finance app. If I want to by the Shinkansen tickets and link them to our seperate digital Suica cards, how would I do that?
Hi, you will need to get the Suica number from the app. Once you have this number you can enter it as explained in the video.
@@KenshoQuest To me, it looks like you are using the app on your smart phone. I am located in Denmark and I the Smart EX app is not available. How can I do this from the website? I can't find "My IC card list".
It is a little different on the website app but there should still be a place for it.
I have registered for the account but once I log off, I am unable to log back in with the same member ID and password. Is this a common issue and is there a solution?
I had a similar issue but it was a couple of years ago. When I first created my account it was with my email address, later they changed to using the ID. So my question is, is your username a string of numbers? If so, it should work as this is the correct method. Second, here is the login page that works for me: shinkansen2.jr-central.co.jp/RSV_P/smart_en_index.htm
Quick question, I have a digital apple IC card and using the smart ex app, and I've designated my ticket to my IC card. Can I till use my IC card for regular transit (trains/busses) without it thinking I want to use my shinkansen ticket? Because my shinkansen trip isn't like midway through our trip and we still need to get around. Or should I un-designate my IC card from the shinkansen ticket until the day we're using it?
It’s fine to keep using your digital IC card for local trains while your Shinkansen ticket is designated. There are different ticket gates for local trains vs Shinkansen trains. The system will know when you tap into a Shinkansen ticket gate. 🌸 Heidi
Great video, thanks. If you pre-paid the Shinkansen tickets on Smart-Ex before arriving in Japan, can you still register your Pasmo Cards just to scan through the gates? So, not using it to deduct the money from your Credit Card, but just to avoid using the QR Code to travel.
Yes, you can designate your IC card to your SmartEX ticket once you are in Japan.
@@KenshoQuest thanks mate. We have our old cards used in 2020, so will just register them.
@KenshoQuest We are a party of 5 traveling to Japan. 2 people want to bring oversized luggage, while the 3 of us are bringing carry-on size luggage. On the Smart EX app when we are booking our Shinkansen reservations, can we book all 5 of us under one reservation, or do we need to make 2 separate reservations: one for the oversized luggage seats and another for regular seats? Thanks.
HI, great question. I believe you will need to reserve those separately because once you make a selection it takes you to the check out page.
@@KenshoQuest @JR西日本 Thanks for the reply. I booked 2 separate reservations, but had to split up in different cars. Looks like oversized seats are going really fast once the 30-days prior confirmation is sent out. I have a feeling that groups are booking all oversized luggage seat reservations even though not everyone needs an oversized luggage seat. For example, I could have made one reservation for oversized luggage seats for all 5 of us to have JR group our seats together, even though only 2 of us really need the oversized seats. I hope in the future they allow booking oversized and regular seats on the same reservation.
Thanks for the great video! Question: would I (and wife) be able to use SmartEX service traveling from Nagasaki to Kyoto in September? I didn't see that route on your map of Kyushu. Thank you!
Hi, Nagasaki is not on the Kyushu portion of the line. So in order to use SmartEx you would first need to get from Nagasaki to Fukuoka. Once in Fukuoka ( Hakata Station ) then you can use SmartEX to get to Kyoto. For the Nagasaki to Hakata station you can use JRWest reservation system:
e5489.jr-odekake.net/e5489/ibpc/CBTopMenuPC?LANG=en
Thank you for the helpful videos!
Where would you recommend sitting on the Shinkansen in terms of carts on the reserved? Is it better to book in the earlier carts (e.g. 6) or later carts like 11-16. Also do you know if the first row on the train facing the wall has trays?
Thank you so much!
Hi, If you are booking in Ordinary Reserved, I would choose a car that is closest to the Green Cars. Usually when you get to the platform, the Green Cars are the closest to walk to. So for instance, if cars 8-10 are Green Cars, I would book car 7 Ordinary Reserved. The cars at the end of the train like 15-16 might require a longer walk on the platform to reach your car. Yes, the first row facing the wall has trays.🌸 Heidi
@@KenshoQuest Thank you Heidi! Excellent tip!
Thank you for all the great tips!! Your videos are well organized, to the point, and super helpful! ❤ Question please: We are traveling with children but want to take advantage of the Hyatoku 28 discount tickets. I believe they are not available for children. Can we make 2 separate reservations (one for adults with hyatoku 28 and one for children with regular reserved seats) and still be able to reserve seats together? Thank you so much.
Hi, yes, since Hayatoku family discounts are not common you should be able to make two separate reservations and try to get your seats next to each other, which I don't think will be an issue if you are booking in advance.
Thank you for your advice!
Does the tourist Welcome Suica card work with SmartEX app and assign it to a Shinkansen ticket like a regular IC card?
Hi, yes it will as long as it doesn't expire during your usage time.
Aloha! We will be in Japan in next month (July), I downloaded the SmartEx app and have my Suica card registered from a previous trip. Our group is 7pax so we'll be making two reservations (since max is 6 pax/resv). Some ppl have physical cards (like me), others have the digital card, would you suggest we do the QR code method to get the tickets transferred to those with the digital cards? Also, if I try to book the resv (we're more then 30 days out at this point), the Hayatoku 28 and Hayatoku 21 discounts don't appear - on some trains they show but are grayed out). Do they block that discount on certain dates/trains? For example, going from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka on 7/14....7/15 looks like it's a holiday so am wondering if they don't offer the discount on busy travel days? Mahalo in advance for your insights!
Aloha! The Hayatoku discounts probably aren't available on holidays. You can designate a digital IC card on SmartEX. However, you will first need to figure out your entire IC card number. From the digital card, if you click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner and select "Card Number" it only shows the last 4 digits. Here's how to get the full number:
If you have a digital PASMO card, install the PASMO Finance app on your phone. When you open the app it shows your balance and your full card number.
If you have a digital SUICA card, install the Suica Finance app on your phone.
- Open the Suica card in Apple Wallet
- Tap on the three dots icon (...) on the top right corner of the phone
- Select "Card Details"
- Select "Open" in Suica Finance App
- In the Suica Finance app, you will see the Suica card that you added -- tap on the card and you will see the full card number.
Mahalo!
Thanks
Thank you!
The smartex is not available in my country (Brazil) to download. I'll try again when arrive at Japan.
Hi, I forgot to mention this. If the app is not available in your country then you can always use the website: smart-ex.jp/en/index.php
Thank you for your sharing, one question, not sure if have solutions. If I bought 3 tickets for my family by Smart EX, how to share their QR code to them ?
Hi, if you are using the QR Code method, printing them out will work for sure. You can view them one at a time from the app. Or you can also try the screenshot method ( take 3 screenshots ) but as mentioned, I personally have not tested this.
If my flight were delayed, can I change my smart ex reserve seat shinkansen ticket online? Does Narita Airport have a Smart Ex ticketing machine? Can I change the reserve seat ticket thru a smart EX machine? Am I able to change the reservation ticket 10 min before departure? . Sorry that I ask quite a lot of questions hopefully I can get some information from you. Your channel did help explain a lot about shinkansen but I need some details on the change of reservation seats ticket timing.
this video explains how to change a reservation from the ticket machine: ruclips.net/video/GD0Tp7zGSeo/видео.html
Thank you for the video, explained very detailed! Unfortunately, if I try to load the App from Apple App Store in Germany, I get "not available in your region" - do you a solution please?
Hi, sorry for the issues. Hopefully, they will Europe soon! In the mean time you can use the web app: smart-ex.jp/en/index.php
@@KenshoQuest Thank you! I hope too!
So what do you use for the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Sendai on the Tohoku Line? Can you use SmartEx?
SmartEX doesn't cover Tohoku. Either Klook or JR East's eki-net www.eki-net.com/en/jreast-train-reservation/Top/Index. Here's our video on booking on Klook: ruclips.net/video/GD0Tp7zGSeo/видео.html
@@KenshoQuest Thank you. And here I finally figured out how to register on Smartex lol amd won't be using it.
The problem is how can I link the tickets to the IC card when I don’t have a IC card? We are planning to go in June. I would like to purchase the train tickets in advance.
Hi, you can purchase now and link your IC cards later once you get them in Japan. You can always make changes later.
I have an ICOCA card I bought in 2013, it is still valid as I used it last year before the 10 years was up. Is this card ok to use or too old?
IC cards are valid for 10 years after last use. If you used it last year, it should be fine. The 10 years starts over again since the last time you used it.
@@KenshoQuest I have made my reservation now and designated our IC cards, will make things a lot simpler. Thanks for the helpful video!
How will you truly save if not using the Jr pass? It seems like the jr pass is most convenient and unlimited?
Hi. Now that the price of the Whole Japan Rail Pass has increased to 50,000 Yen per 7-day pass, it's not as likely to save you money unless you are traveling far distances and stopping at many cities within a short amount of time. Yes, the JR Pass is convenient and unlimited. But depending upon your route it might cost more than buying individual single-journey Shinkansen tickets. Here's our video explaining how to figure out if the JR Pass is worth it for your trip: ruclips.net/video/hsrZpVYH-ls/видео.html
Thank you! You mentioned the Klook, only SmartEX offers a discount ticket? Thanks,
Hi, Klook does offer coupons frequently, they currently have a coupon for up to $10 off here ( SKS10OFF ): geni.us/shinkansen
But do note that Klook does charge a 10% surcharge.
@@KenshoQuest you are the best! Thanks.
@@KenshoQuest Sorry, it is a lot to learn for the first time people to Japan. Where should I book the speeding train ticket online without 10% surcharge? Again, you are the best! Thanks.
@@jennyc1905 Then you're back at smart-ex.jp/en/index.php or www.eki-net.com/en/jreast-train-reservation/Top/Index depending upon where you will travel.
Not supported for the EU. Thanks a lot, JR East.
Hi, while the app isn't available their web app will work:
smart-ex.jp/en/index.php
Ooh! This will solve how to not have to hope the Klook ticket delivery will work for a time where we'll be moving around in western Japan. Thank you!
Sorry, I have one more question. I am also traveling with an 8 year. We purchased the 8 year old a shinkansen E ticket to be used with an IC card but the 8 year old does not have an IC card. Do we have to purchase him an IC card or is there a way to print his ticket at the train station? I really appreciate your help. Thank you
You could print his ticket from a reserved seat ticketing machine at the train station. Also, here's how to get a Child SUICA card: ruclips.net/video/BbvQurJdOnc/видео.html
Hi I’ve been watching your japan videos in youtube and I was wondering if you can answer my question since I couldn’t find it online. So I’m planning on buying shinkansen tickets from klook before our flight tomorrow (from shinagawa to kyoto then back), and I was wondering if we can pick up those tickets in Haneda airport? I think it would be less hassle than picking it up on the actual day of commute since it’s the golden week and train stations are packed. Let me know what you think thanks a lot ❤️❤️❤️
Hi, do you have the QR Code? If yes, then you can pick up at Haneda. Just visit the JR ticketing machine. This video shows you the location:
ruclips.net/video/YImX1rMFRrk/видео.html
I’m confused. I’m planning to download the suica card to my iPhone. Can I use that to buy the bullet train tic?
Hi, you cannot directly purchase on your IC card. You first need to purchase your ticket on SmartEX, then you can designate your Suica card on your phone.
The ticket price for the bullet train is 15k yen. What is the price shown in video? I am going to Tokyo this summer
Hi, it depends on the distance. In the video, it is only a simple example of going from Tokyo to Yokohama, which is very close to each other so it only cost 1,380 Yen for a non-reserved seat. Going from Tokyo to Kyoto will cost closer to 14,000 yen. You can save with the Hayatoku discounts if you book at least 21 days in advance.
Possible to modify trip timing after booking it on EX.
Yes, absolutely as long as it is at least 4 minutes before your trip, but I recommend even more time just in case you run into any issues.
Hi Kensho Quest. I just registered with Smart EX, and was researching prices for the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo in June. I saw the Hayatoku-21 and Hayatoku-28 Wide fares, which appear to be the discount fares you mentioned in the video. But why does Hayatoku-28 Wide have a note "[Cannot change]" next to it, whereas the Hayatoku-21 Wide has no such warning? Are they saying that the 21-day-prior-to travel-date discount fare actually allows exchanges/refunds, whereas the 28-day-prior-to travel-date discount does not? I'm confused. Do you know?
The prices are 11,690 yen for the Hayatoku-28 Wide, and the Hayatoku-21 Wide is just a tiny bit more at 11,820 yen. Is it better to get the 21-day version if that's the one that is more flexible in terms of exchanges/refunds? Or am I interpreting this all wrong?
Thank you.
Hi, the wording can be confusing. I do not know for sure but most likely the Hayatoku 28 days cannot be changed once reserved. This is because these fares are based on the number of days before your trip. with 21 day Hayatoku you could have purchased up to a month in advance. This means you can change your reservation for a hayatoku 21 until you are within those 21 days. So you would have 9 days. After that time, even the Hayatoku 21 may no longer qualify if seats aren't available and if you changed your reservation you would most likely need to pay the difference to the next discounted fare ( if any ) since it will be less than 21 days and there might not be availability.
Since the prices are very similar, the 21 day option is a safer choice but for any type of refund for discounted tickets, it may be easiest to visit a JR ticket office.
@@KenshoQuest Thanks so much for the explanation. I trust your advice, since you are better informed than I am about how Japanese trains and fares work. It sounds like the Hayatoku-21 fare is the way to go. :)
Which IC Card should I buy? Does IC Card work on Samsung Android phone?
Sorry, digital IC cards are not available on Android phones, unless your phone was purchased in Japan. Any of the three IC cards we mentioned will work throughout most of Japan: ICOCA, Welcome SUICA, or PASMO Passport.
So it only links to an IC card if it is one downloaded on an iPhone versus a physical IC card (and using a Samsung)?
@@deborahachen7214 You can link a Shinkansen ticket purchased on SmartEX to a physical IC card. That's what we did!
Can you buy tickets before you arrive and get the IC card?
Hi, yes, as long as you can register for an account then you can purchase a ticket ahead of time either via their mobile or web application. You can always designate your IC card later and make changes.
Do u need a jr pass between nara-osaka-kyoyo or can you use the regular ice card?
You do not need a JR Pass for that route. You can pay by IC card.
@@KenshoQuest thank you. I was on the fence about the jr pass but now I don't think we'll need it. I appreciate you responding!
hi tried and it shows system failure for SmartEx..pls assist
Hi, this might happen after hours Japan time as they are often down for maintenance after 11PM Japan time. Otherwise, please try a different web browser.
@@KenshoQuest it is always down
@@user-rf1qu6yj5s Here's the link again smart-ex.jp/en/index.php
Is it possible to link Shinkansen to mobile IC card?
Hi, we haven't tried it yet, but most likely yes. One issue you may run into is that the mobile IC Card app doesn't show the whole number. A fellow viewer shared that they were able to get this number using the Suica Finance app. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Hello my friend 💖💖💖💖💖🎉🎉🎉❤❤
JP transportation is difficult. It's stressful if you don't know how to use it. Your channel is very helpful.
After I buy the tickets, can I link my icard afterwards, as I do not have my icard yet
Yes
Hello, could you explain how this works if you only have a mobile Suica card, instead of the physical one used in the video? I was able to link it in the SmartEX app but am not sure if it also could give an error, just as the QR/Mobile card situation you explained
Hi, I understand your concern but if you follow the advice in the video I don't think you will have any issues ;). Though worst case, you can always use the QR Code or ask attendant for help.
Great Tips. Headed to Japan in one month. Questions 1) your past videos suggested use Klook to purchase these tickets. Are you suggesting we use SmartEX now?
2) will be using the Nozomi train. I know the day we want to travel, but not the time. If I don't reserve a time, will I still be able to get a seat (not sure how busy it will get late May early June)?
3) If I do reserve, is it easy to change (assuming there is space of course) if I wanted to go later in the same day?
Thanks in advance
HI,
1) We still recommend Klook! SmartEX is just another option that will work for travelers heading along the Tokaido-Sanyo-Kyushu lines. If you are traveling outside of this area then Klook is still the best (easiest) option.
2) If you know you want to reserve a seat then make sure you purchase a reserved seat and not non-reserved as it will be easier to change later since there is a price difference between non-reserved and reserved. However, your travel time is not during holiday season so as long as you are not traveling during peak hours of the day you will probably not have a problem riding in non-reserved without a reservation. I just rode on the Nozomi a few days ago at peak travel time and there were plenty of seats in non-reserved. There are at least 3 non-reserved cars in the Nozomi so check them all if one is crowded.
3) If you do reserve, yes, it's pretty easy to change within the app. Just make sure you do this before your travel time! Otherwise, you can still ride on the Nozomi just only in non-reserved.
Hope this helps!
Thank you so much for this! I've been so worried on how to visually show my mom how to ride the shinkansen as she will be riding it alone and i found this helpful video!
You’re welcome! Here’s our other video that explains about riding Shinkansen trains in Japan: ruclips.net/video/f3JDRc5sl5I/видео.htmlsi=7m02CWgNKVIU0KvV
If i buy multiple tickets, does it give me multiple qr codes to use to print tickets at the vending machine?
Yes, you should get a QR code for each ticket. If you do not, don't worry, just scan that one and it should still dispense all of your tickets - The system may get updated to only use one.
I know from Narita airport I have to go to Tokyo airport or go on the Narita express to Shinagawa station, ride the Shinkansen to Osaka but is there another direct train to Yodoyanashi station? Just curious, when I land after my long flight I would prefer to not have to ride about 3 trains to get to my destination in Yodoyabashi station as my hotel is walking distance from that train station.
There’s no direct train. Can you change your flight to fly into Osaka (KIX)?
Can I buy the tickets on the website now (I don't have the IC card yet) and add the trip to the Suica later?
Yes, you can.
If you reserve a specific time but can’t make that time what happens?
You can ride the next train in non-reserved. Or you might be able to change your reservation at a ticketing machine or the JR ticket office.
Can I still get an Icoca card in Tokyo? Thank you ☺️
Hi, I do not think there are any locations in Tokyo that are currently selling ICOCA cards. But you can try to get the PASMO Passport or Welcome Suica/Regular Suica at the airports in Tokyo.
Hello!! If I buy tickets for 2 persons at a time I understand I'll get just one QR code so just one IC card will work? I have to purchase separately if l want my partner's IC card to work?? Please I hope you can answer me. By the way thank you so much for this video 😊
You can purchase multiple tickets at one time on SmartEX and then designate a separate IC card for each ticket. Each individual person would tap their own IC card to use their ticket.
@@KenshoQuest Thanks so much for answering 😊
How do you designate the IC card after purchasing ticket? I have a family account which have 4 people. How do I designate an IC for each of us after purchasing tickets?
Hi, did you install the app? If so it is explained in the video. You just need to add them one at a time.
@@KenshoQuest got it thank you for your response.
Is the fare in SmartEX or Klook also cover the base fare or just the Shinkansen fare? Thanks!
If you purchase Shinkansen tickets on SmartEX or Klook, it is the complete fare (base fare + super express surcharge).
@@KenshoQuest Thank you!
Thank you for the info! Very helpful. ❤
I purchased 4 tickets on the smartex app. If I’m to use the QR code at the gate, do I scan the code again after each person passes through? Thanks for the video. It’s very helpful.
Hi, yes, just make sure each person picks up their seat information at the other end of the gate. You might be asked by the train attendant to show this. Also, consider printing out the QR code as some users have issues.
Hello! What if for example, you bought a ticket from Osaka to Hiroshima on a certain date, but you use your Suica card to travel between cities other than Hiroshima (i.e., Kobe, Himeji, Kyoto). Will the Suica recognize that this is not the ticket you bought your original journey for? Thanks!
Yes, the Suica card knows the difference. There are ticket gates for riding local trains and separate ticket gates specifically for Shinkansen trains. The card will recognize when you tap into a Shinkansen ticket gate. 🌸 Heidi
@@KenshoQuest Thanks for the very informative answer! :)
What about if I ride other Shinkansen trains on dates in between my journey for Osaka to Hiroshima? Would the Shinkansen gate and Suica card still know the difference?
Yes, because your IC Card has an ID that is assigned to your specific shinkansen reservation.
@@KenshoQuest Thank you very much! :)