If you prefer physical tickets or need staff assistance, you can buy them directly at major JR stations.
You can buy Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets through official online platforms, at station ticket machines, or in person at ticket offices.
: The official English-friendly service for the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu lines (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka).
: Identified by a green sign/clover logo. Staff can answer specific questions, though lines can be long during peak hours. Important Tips
: A popular third-party travel agent for international tourists, useful if official sites reject your credit card. In Person (Best for Same-Day Travel)
Booking online allows you to reserve seats in advance and often link tickets to a digital IC card (like Suica) for paperless travel.
: Used for travel north and east from Tokyo, including the Tohoku, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines.
: Look for machines with the "Shinkansen" or "Reserved Seat" symbol. Most have an English language option and accept both cash and credit cards.
