Train Tickets from Tokyo to Kyoto

Up to 72 hours before departure, you can modify your booking one time free of charge or cancel your booking (with a 15% cancellation fee). Please find more details below.

• How can I cancel or modify my booking?

You can cancel or modify your tickets by contacting Japan Experience by phone or email. 

Modifications and cancellation are not possible in stations, neither at ticket machines (even those with a QR code reader) nor at JR counters (except when mentioned by our assistance*). 

• What are the cancellation conditions?

You can cancel your train tickets up to 72 hours before departure, with a 15% cancellation fee applied. Past 72 hours before departure, no cancellation can be done. 

• What if I miss my train?

If you have missed your train, your tickets allow you to board any train on the same route in the same day – in non-reserved seat cars only. 

• What are the modification conditions?

You can modify your booking for free one time up to 72 hours before departure. Any extra modification will result in booking cancellation to make a new order, with a 15% cancellation fee applied. 

Past 72 hours before departure, no modifications can be done. 

If you want to modify:

• Seat and/or departure time (for e-tickets or e-voucher before paper tickets issued): Japan Experience can modify your booking for free, one time per booking.
• Departure date and/or ticket class: Japan Experience allows you to change your departure date/ticket class free of charge by canceling your order without fees in order to make a new booking. Please note that a new date in a higher travel season or an upper class will result in a price difference.
• Adding or removing passengers from the booking: Adding a passenger is free of charge, you only need to pay the extra ticket price. Removing a passenger equals to canceling the booking for that passenger only, cancellation conditions apply for the removed passenger ticket (15% fee).
• Departure station/arrival station: This change equals a cancellation, with a 15% cancellation fee applied. 

*For the rare and only case of cancellation for e-voucher after paper tickets have been issued, you need to request a cancellation at Japan Railways counters (not machines) in stations, up to 10 minutes before departure. JR will refund you around 70% of your order, in cash (JPY ¥). Modifications at JR machines or counters in stations are also possible up to 10 minutes before departure (some fees may apply). 

To use your Shinkansen e-tickets once you have received them:

1. Head to your departing station*.
2. Scan your QR code at the Shinkansen gates.
3. Head to the right platform to hop on your train.
4. Find the seat number that is on your e-ticket (if you have a seat reservation)
5. Enjoy the ride! 

Note: Upon scanning your e-ticket at the gates, a small piece of paper will be printed, grab it and keep it. This is your ticket certificate, to be presented if asked by JR staff or if you lost/deleted your e-ticket after scanning.

*In your departing station, note that your QR code will not scan at other ticket gates than Shinkansen ticket gates. This means you may need to exit the station and re-enter through the Shinkansen zone, depending on the following cases:

• If you arrive to the station by a JR line: 

With a prepaid IC card (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA…) or paper JR local train tickets, you can transfer from the JR local lines area to the JR Shinkansen area.

1. Scan your Shinkansen e-ticket.
2. Tap your prepaid IC card (or insert your paper tickets).
3. The gates will open on this second action.

• If you are arriving in your station via subway lines:

1. Exit the station (with your IC card or paper ticket).
2. Re-enter via the Shinkansen gates with your e-ticket.

In Tokyo Station for example, the Shinkansen zone can be accessed through the Yaesu exits (not Marunouchi). In Kyoto Station, Hachijo (South) exits. 

Once you've arrived at your destination, scan the QR code again at the Shinkansen gates upon exiting. Please note:

• If you need to transfer to a JR local line:

You can use your prepaid IC card to travel by tapping it first directly at the transfer gates, and then scanning your e-ticket.

• If you need to purchase tickets, or need to transfer via subway lines:

1. Exit the Shinkansen area with your e-ticket.
2. Re-enter to your desired local line area.

This applies to all train stations where there are other lines than just Shinkansen (Tokyo Station, Kyoto Station, Shin-Osaka, Shinagawa Station…)

The Shinkansen is the premier form of travel in Japan. “Shinkansen” is the Japanese word for “bullet train,” whose name is derived from the locomotive’s high speeds and shape. They are commonly used for traversing longer distances in Japan. 

• There are different types of carriages on the Shinkansen, with different levels of accommodation. The Ordinary Car is the most general seating option, but Shinkansen bullet trains are, by default, more luxurious than other types of trains due to them being built for long-distance travel. These accommodations include reclinable chairs, overhead storage, hooks for outerwear, deployable trays, and electrical outlets.
   
• The Green Car is the next step up in luxury from the ordinary car, featuring even deeper reclining chairs and more legroom. All seats in these cars need a reservation. The oversized luggage area is also included with a seat on the Green Car.
   
• The Gran Class Car is much like the Green Car but with even more elevated accommodations. Seats are formatted 2x1, optimizing room, and often, snacks and refreshments are included. Gran Class cars exist only on JR East lines, such as Tokyo <-> Nagano and Tokyo <-> Kanazawa. 

If your train's departure date is more than one month away from the date of booking, you will receive your QR code approximately a month before departure. 

If your train's departure date is less than one month away from the date of booking, you will receive your QR code within 48 hours. 

Reminder : you can book train tickets in Japan with Japan Experience between 9 months and 3 days prior to train departure. 

The below routes are eligible for e-ticket use, and the QR code you will receive can be directly used to enter ticket gates and board your train. 

• Tokyo ↔ Kyoto
• Tokyo ↔ Shin-Osaka
• Tokyo ↔ Hakone (Odawara)
• Kyoto ↔ Hakone (Odawara)
• Tokyo ↔ Nagoya
• Tokyo ↔ Hiroshima 
• Kyoto ↔ Hiroshima 
• Shin-Osaka ↔ Hiroshima 
• Shin-Osaka ↔ Fukuoka (Hakata) 
• Hiroshima ↔ Fukuoka (Hakata) 
• Kyoto ↔ Himeji
• Hiroshima ↔ Himeji
• Kyoto ↔ Nagoya

All routes not listed above will need the exchange of the e-voucher QR code for physical paper train tickets.

With over 40 years of dedicated experience dealing specifically with Japan travel and tourism, you can rest assured that we will have the best knowledge and familiarity with getting around the country. Our train tickets are acquired through an official partnership with JR West. We also offer reliable and expert assistance thanks to our onsite team in Japan, flexible modification options, and a fully digital booking experience with no hidden fees. 

Reserving seats on the Shinkansen bullet train isn’t a necessity; however, we do suggest making a reservation during peak travel times, specifically during Spring (sakura season) and during New Year's, for example. Trains may also be crowded during major holidays and events, such as large festivals. You’ll also need to make a reservation for oversized luggage on the Shinkansen.

If you're traveling with baggage measuring less than 160 cm (length + width + height), you don't need to make an additional reservation, and you can store your baggage in the overhead compartment above your seat.

For baggage measuring more than 160 cm and up to 250 cm (length + width + height), you need to make an advance reservation before you can take your baggage on board the Shinkansen. On board, you'll need to stow your baggage in the areas reserved for bulky luggage, generally located behind the last seats in the car, and in special compartments located between the cars. This includes luggage such as sports equipment, musical instruments and strollers.

Luggage measuring more than 250 cm (length + width + height) is not permitted on board the Shinkansen. Each passenger can take up to two pieces of luggage on board the Shinkansen.

You can find more details about luggage rules aboard the Shinkansen here.