Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen Guide: How to Book + Best Seats

On my recent trip to Japan, I used the Smart EX app to book our Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen tickets in advance, along with our return from Osaka back to Tokyo. That one decision made a noticeable difference. We were able to upgrade to much nicer seats at a more affordable price and enjoy views of Mt. Fuji that were far more impressive than I expected.

It turns out, a few small choices, like when you book, which train you take, and where you sit, can completely change your experience. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, like exactly how to book the Shinkansen, how to choose the best seats, and why it can be beneficial to book in advance.

If this is your first time planning a trip to Japan, be sure to also check out my list of 15 Essential Things to Do Before Going to Japan for more tips.

Where to Book Shinkansen Tickets

There are a few different websites that let you book Shinkansen tickets; however, the official website is via the Smart-Ex app. You can also book your Shinkansen tickets at the station, and I'll explain the pros and cons of this later. My personal recommendation is to book your Shinkansen tickets in advance so you can enjoy a more elevated experience.

Choosing the Right Shinkansen Train

You'll notice that each train says either Nozomi or Hikari. It's very important that you only book the Nozomi. This is because the Nozomi is the quickest bullet train with fewer stops. It can be about 1 to 2 hours faster..

Now that you know which train to book, the next step is deciding how you want to experience the ride.

What is the Green Car and Is It Worth It?

The Green Cars on the Shinkansen are like their equivalent of first class. They offer a more luxurious experience with much larger seats, including footrests. The seats recline further for a more comfortable ride, especially if you want to take a nap. There are also adjustable footrests, seat warmers, reading lights, increased legroom, a tray table for working or eating, and a large console with USB outlets.

I discovered that one of the best advantages of booking your Shinkansen tickets in advance is the ability to purchase discounted Green Car tickets (Hayatoku). These seats are often 4,000-5,000 yen cheaper, which means you would save around $60 for two people. A discounted Hayatoku Green Car Seat is almost the same price as a regular Shinkansen seat. You can even receive the Hayatoku discount by just booking as few as 3-days in advance!

For us, the experience was absolutely worth it, and it made our 2-hour trip to Kyoto and back to Tokyo so relaxing. It was a wonderful way to experience Japan's famous bullet train for the first time.

Choosing the Best Seats on the Shinkansen

One of the primary reasons visitors book the Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen in advance is to sit on the side of the train with views of Mt. Fuji. This alone makes booking ahead worth it.

The Mt. Fuji views were not what I expected. I assumed it would be a quick glimpse in the distance, something you catch for a moment and then lose just as quickly. Instead, it felt much closer. At one point, it almost looked like it was right next to us. Not in the background, but fully present, large enough that it shifted how I was seeing the landscape around it.

Then just when I thought we had passed it, it came back into view again, appearing and disappearing as we continued forward. We were able to see Mt. Fuji for a good 10 to 15 minutes, which is much longer than I expected. It’s one of those moments where you realize how much those small decisions, like choosing the right seat, actually shape the experience.

To get this view, you’ll want to book the right side of the train when traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto, specifically seats C and D.

Bringing Large Luggage Onto the Shinkansen

One mistake travelers often make is bringing oversized luggage onto the train without booking the correct seats. If you are bringing large luggage, you need to book special seats on the Shinkansen, which have an extra section behind the seats to store the luggage. This is especially important for those who may also be bringing things like extra-large suitcases, skis, sporting equipment, or musical instruments.

Choosing The Right Shinkansen Departure Station in Tokyo

I’m going to share a huge tip that saved us a surprising amount of time and stress. Do NOT leave from Tokyo Station; instead, choose Shinagawa Station for your departure.

Tokyo Station is enormous, and people almost always get lost; meanwhile, Shinagawa Station is very small and a breeze to navigate. It took us 5 minutes to find our Shinkansen train at Shinagawa Station.

How to Book the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto

The best way to book your Shinkansen tickets is through the Smart-Ex app. Tickets are released 30 days in advance. You do not want to book prior to that or outside of normal business hours, or you won't be able to select your seats on the app. Here’s exactly what the booking process looks like in the Smart EX app.

1. Once you log into the Smart EX app, you’ll create an account

2. Choose your date, preferred departure time, departure city, arrival city, and number of persons

3. Then go to "Seat Types" if you need an oversized luggage seat

4. Choose a Nozomi train

• (Trains may list Osaka as the final destination, but Kyoto is one of the stops)

5. Decide if you want to book the "ordinary" or "Green Car"

• (Discounted seats are labeled Hayatoku. If your selected time is sold out, try checking different times)

6. Go to Seat Map and Choose Your Seats

• Remember, seats on the right side with the letters C & D have the Mt. Fuji views

7. Complete your purchase and receive your QR code

Connecting Your Suica Card

The benefit of connecting your Suica Card to your Shinkansen ticket is that you will only need to scan into the station with your QR code instead of scanning in twice. If you don’t connect them, you’ll need to scan both your QR code and your Suica card separately.

All Suica Cards have a number. If you have the physical card this is easy, but if you have the Apple Wallet Suica Card, you will need to download the regular Suica app. Once you download the app, it will ask if you want to connect the Suica card in your apple wallet. Once you connect these, you will be able to click on the card to retrieve your Suica Card number.

When You Should NOT Book Shinkansen Tickets in Advance

The only time I would recommend not booking Shinkansen tickets in advance would be if you have trouble keeping to a schedule, are unsure of your itinerary for the day, or have an activity planned that could run later than expected.

What to Expect at the Station Before Boarding

Once you arrive at the station, you will follow the Shinkansen signs and scan your QR code at the gate. Then check the large electronic departure boards, which will display the train number/times and tell you which platform to use.

When you get to the platform, you’ll see clear markings for each car. People line up in an orderly way and wait for passengers to exit before boarding. The entire process is incredibly smooth and efficient.

Grabbing Food For Your Shinkansen Ride

Unlike regular trains, eating on the Shinkansen is completely acceptable, and very much part of the experience.. Many stations even sell bento boxes specifically designed for the ride. We grabbed snacks and drinks before boarding, and on our evening ride from Osaka to Tokyo, we even picked up sangria from a convenience store right near the tracks.

If you’re in Green Car, there is a small onboard menu, but I found it pretty limited. Picking up food beforehand is definitely the better option.

If you’re planning time in Tokyo, don’t miss my guide to the best food vendors in Asakusa, especially if you’re visiting Senso-ji early.

Shinkansen Etiquette You Should Know in Advance

• Remaining Quiet: Like all trains in Japan, it is important to remain quiet and talk in a soft voice on the Shinkansen
• Phone Etiquette: You won’t see people taking phone calls at their seats. If a call comes through, most passengers either silence it or step into the small areas between train cars to take it.
• Eating Respectfully: While eating is encouraged on the Shinkansen, it’s done neatly and quietly. People clean up after themselves, keep things contained, and avoid anything overly messy.
• Boarding Behavior: Boarding is incredibly organized. On the platform, you’ll see clear markings showing exactly where to line up for each car. People form orderly lines and wait patiently for passengers to exit before stepping on.

Final Thoughts on Booking the Shinkansen

Looking back, booking our Shinkansen tickets in advance ended up being one of the best decisions we made. It gave us more control over our schedule, better seat options, and made the entire experience feel stress-free and more luxurious.

While you can absolutely book your tickets at the station on the same day, the added perks of booking in advance are definitely something you may want to consider.

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