Shinkansen smartEX App

Shinkansen smartEX App

Tokaido/Sanyo/KyushuShinkansen

561 ratings
348 reviews
#207 in free Travel
✈️ Travel
Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • December 21, 2018
  • August 24, 2026

Features

Shinkansen smartEX App screenshot #1 for iPhone
Shinkansen smartEX App screenshot #2 for iPhone
Shinkansen smartEX App screenshot #3 for iPhone
Shinkansen smartEX App screenshot #4 for iPhone
Shinkansen smartEX App screenshot #5 for iPhone
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About

Easily reserve Shinkansen seats, hotels, and activities. Enjoy discounts for early bookings and flexible changes. Access station and train service information, and use QR tickets or designated IC cards for seamless travel.

Reserve Shinkansen seats
Book hotels and activities
Early booking discounts
Free reservation changes
Select seats from map
QR-Ticket and IC card boarding
Fingerprint authentication login
Show original description
+1

What's New in Shinkansen smartEX App

10.1.0

August 24, 2026

▼Ver. 10.1.0 - Performance improvements

Charts

Top Free

📈 207+2

Travel

This app rose +2 positions in Travel chart.

Last updated on August 28, 2026.

User reviews

Great

Bought tickets on two separate occasions using the app, account creation and linking my existing suica card in my Apple wallet was quick and easy, the tickets linked instantly to my suica, and I was able to just tap my phone on the IC lane and pick up my receipt. Overall it was a super smooth and easy experience.

Are bad reviews trying to keep this app a secret? Or maybe it’s hard to follow simple instructions lol
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Terrible app

This is the worst transportation app I have ever downloaded. Multiple one time passwords, frequent re log ins and basically unable to validate domestic AND international credit cards. Just awful. I want to give you my money, just take my money! Whoever is responsible for this app should be fired.

Cannot buy tickets

The point of the app is to buy tickets for the Shinkansen. I can do everything except make the purchase. I am not in Japan, but planning for my upcoming trip. I would love to have my tickets and reserved seating. Can’t do it.

It Works Enough

Compared to other Japanese apps, it’s very good. Compared to American apps, it’s trash. It had enough functionality for me to work through it. It looks like it was made in 2005 though.

Pathetic app

Unable to download the tourist version via Australia Apple Store. Finally got a tourist version but then the credit card validation failed and you have to start over to retry.

Developer apps

FAQ

What can I do with the Shinkansen smartEX App?

The app allows you to easily reserve Shinkansen seats, book hotels and activities, and access information about services in stations and on trains. You can also take advantage of early booking discounts and make free changes to your reservations before boarding.

How do I pay for tickets and reservations?

Ticket purchases and reservations are charged to the credit card registered to your account. Membership registration, which requires personal information and a valid credit card, is necessary to use the app for booking.

Can I use this app with a Japan Rail Pass?

No, this app is not intended for making seat reservations with a Japan Rail Pass. It is designed for direct ticket purchases and reservations for the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines.

How do I board the train with the app?

You can board the train using a QR-Ticket displayed within the app, or by designating and registering an IC card for public transportation. This allows for ticketless travel with compatible IC cards.

Is the app available in languages other than English?

Currently, this service is only available in English. For more detailed information about the service, please refer to the official website.