# Shinkansen smartEX App — user reviews > 348 indexed App Store user reviews of Shinkansen smartEX App by Central Japan Railway Company, rated 1.70/5 from 561 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shinkansen-smartex-app/id1253336330/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shinkansen-smartex-app/id1253336330.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 68 · 4★ 24 · 3★ 11 · 2★ 12 · 1★ 446 ## Newest reviews (18 of 348) ### 4/5 — It Works Enough *2026-07-29, version 9.1.5* 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. ### 1/5 — Whow! what a rubbish app *2026-06-15* I download it setup my credit card tried to book a train. Selected all detail and hit the button order.. and NOTHING!! The screen goes grey and white and after 10 min I have up. Another booking and the result is the same! I han’t actually believe I am using Japanese app and system to book super fast train. Its a joke! ### 1/5 — Update broke the app… again… *2026-06-14* I’ve used this app for years now, or have at least attempted to do so for a long time, was finally able to for a while, and am now unable to do so yet again. For the longest time, it seemed like the app had an issue with foreign cards when it came to payment, usually making it impossible to finalize a purchase of tickets. Then randomly, it finally worked. It was then incredibly convenient to simply show up at my local station (Nagoya), boot up the app, and purchase a ticket for the next available Shinkansen without having to go to the kiosk. I then made the mistake to “update” the app last week or so, despite not having issue with it. Well, yesterday I did my usual strategy of showing up at the station, started the process of buying a ticket for the next nozomi to Kyoto, only to have my card declined during the “authentication” process. This was the exact issue I had years ago, and I was relieved to see it was no longer an issue. I don’t know why it’s an issue yet again. I checked my account to make sure it wasn’t blocking the purchase (it wasn’t, and it’s the same card I’ve used for quite a while now to make similar purchases), re-entered the card, tried adding another card, to no avail. This happened both during my day trip towards Kyoto, and my return trip to Nagoya. I had to use the kiosk both times to purchase the ticket (which were surprisingly a bit more expansive than what it costs on the app), essentially rendering this app absolutely useless once again. As the old adage goes “don’t fix what isn’t broken”, as you will most likely end up making it worse. Hopefully the app will work again one day, but I definitely won’t be relying on it anymore. ### 1/5 — Horrendous, Needs to be Replaced *2026-06-12, version 9.1.5* The app logs you out genuinely every single time you close it. Tickets pretty much never tell you what your platform is or any real information. Never tells you that you have to print out tickets regardless of having them on your phone. Also makes no mention that you need to buy multiple tickets for the same train. Do your research before visiting Japan. ### 1/5 — Nothing works *2026-06-12, version 9.1.5* Got as far as creating an account but on credit card entry the camera refused to focus, after manual entry it kicked me out and said login again. Trying to login again led to a member id, but I'd signed up with email and had no member id. Basically one of the worst apps ever. ### 1/5 — Impossible to Use *2026-06-11, version 9.1.5* This app is literally impossible to use if you dont have an American Express card. It will let you register your Chase cards but it will never actually let you purchase with them. DO NOT RELY ON OR USE THIS APP. ### 1/5 — Horrible App *2026-05-29, version 9.1.5* During payment portion of ticket buying process, app kept failing for supposed credit card problems. I screwed around with the app for 30 minutes trying to make it work. No joy. Ended up going to Shinkansen ticket machine at train station. Nightmare trying to reserve 2 seats together + IC card issues. Finally, an assistant arrived who was very helpful. Paid for everything with same credit card the app said had problems. Now have to sit and wait for 90 minutes for train. Whoever owns this app: FIX IT!! P.S. The app worked fine 2 weeks ago. Not sure what happened in the interim. ### 1/5 — Needs better compatibility with foreign cards *2026-05-27, version 9.1.5* I think this app does have potential to be good and I’m sure it works well for Japanese citizens but trying to buy tickets as a foreigner is impossible. I tried several different credit cards, different times and even the website, mobile site and the app to buy tickets and it constantly rejects any attempt. Please update the checkout process to include Apple Pay or PayPal or something more convenient. This is a major issue that many people encounter and it’s crazy that it’s not a priority fix. ### 1/5 — Payment verification is awful *2026-05-26, version 9.1.5* Three different cards “verified” at entry didn’t work for purchase. Better off going to the station I guess ### 1/5 — Review *2026-05-26, version 9.1.5* Terrible user interface, multiple declined purchases after verifying card. ### 1/5 — Like a time machine to 1987 *2026-05-10, version 9.1.4* This company seems to be incapable of processing US credit cards. The logs you out after like two minutes. Email seems to be the only 2FA option. No pass keys. No SMS. No touch ID. Incapable of making in-app purchases on android or iOS. All that on top of a flaky reservation system that sometimes shows you the available seats and sometimes doesn’t. ### 1/5 — Not able to register credit card *2026-04-19* Tried multiple times registering credit card, keep on getting error message . I called my bank and advise it is issue with the app not accepting card. ### 1/5 — No reason to use this if you’re a foreigner *2026-04-12, version 9.1.4* I was trying to book Shinkansen tickets and this website will not accept credit cards from outside Japan. Keeps failing on CC 3D secure part of the purchase. Not sure if that’s even doing anything. After trying to make a reservation using multiple credit cards on mobile and website I gave up. Use JR West Online instead to make your Shinkansen reservations. I was successful there. This app should be removed from the App Store. ### 1/5 — App cost us over $200 *2026-04-12* This app failed just as we were trying to get through the gates to get on our train. We got an error message that the app was down. Unable to access our previously purchased tickets, we were dismayed to find that the manned counter at the station could not support tickets purchased online. The mobile website was also down so we couldn’t access our tickets in any way. With our train only 10 minutes away, we had to buy last minute non-reserved seats (for over $200) just to get through the gate. This is after we spent several hundred on reserved seats for the train. I’m more upset about the last minute stress than I am the money. Screw this app. ### 1/5 — It doesn’t accept all my credit cards *2026-04-07, version 9.1.4* Tried to sign up for taking Shinkansen. Filled all the boxes, and in credit card session, it just didn’t accept my credit cards. And it doesn’t remember all my info, I had to start all over again ### 1/5 — For Log-in Lovers *2026-04-06, version 9.1.4* The app is fine, it just constantly logs you out. ### 1/5 — Impossible to register *2026-04-05* Tried using multiple different foreign credit cards. None of them could be authenticated. You then have to start all over again. Like a constant spiral that gets you nowhere. After wasting 30 minutes of time I will never get back, I have given up. ### 1/5 — 言語環境が変更できない *2026-04-03, version 9.1.4* 日本語の表示に変更できるよう期待します ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Terrible app *2026-08-13, version 9.1.5* 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. ### 1/5 — Cannot buy tickets *2026-08-09, version 9.1.5* 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. ### 1/5 — Pathetic app *2026-07-25, version 9.1.5* 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. ### 1/5 — Impossible to use *2026-07-17, version 9.1.5* It crashes as soon as i enter credentials, or click forgot my password, or click register ### 1/5 — Don’t bother *2026-07-11, version 9.1.5* If you use visa or Mastercard do yourself a massive favour and try another way ### 1/5 — Doesn't work *2026-07-09, version 9.1.5* Why create an app, and a desktop version that doesn't work? Multiple cards, multiple attempts. Desktop. Safari. Chrome. And doesn't work. Thanks for wasting 40 minutes of life! ### 1/5 — Deleted! *2026-07-07, version 9.1.5* Could not complete the registration process so deleted the app. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2026-06-21, version 9.1.5* The app doesn’t allow me to select a password that it accepts… Extremely odd. ### 1/5 — Should be much better *2026-06-18, version 9.1.5* Nothing works the way it should. If you take longer than a couple minutes to make a decision, the app logs you off and you’ll need to start over. My credit card was authenticated when I added it to my profile, but then was denied when I tried to buy tickets… and then I was logged off and forced to start over. I tried to filter my search by trains with available “oversized luggage” seats, but it showed me countless trains with no seats available. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t accept US credit cards *2026-06-17, version 9.1.5* As title says, useless for American cards. Also UI is confusing l, I don’t even see a way to update payment method besides creating a new account. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great *2026-08-18* 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 ### 5/5 — Flawless Convenience *2026-04-18, version 9.1.4* As others have said, this app works perfectly and there is no reason it should be rated so low. Very easy to link my Suica card as well as get QR code tickets onto my Apple wallet. I was able to get the tickets to my family member’s Apple wallets as well with the share feature. I felt like the expert during my travels ### 5/5 — Get app *2026-03-26, version 9.1.4* Get app ### 5/5 — Just follow instructions *2026-03-19* No issues at all. Just need to read and follow instructions. Saves you money if you take the time ### 5/5 — Don’t understand the negative reviews . You guys have not been paying attention!! *2026-03-16, version 9.1.3* Tips for first time user – 1. please set up account on PC browser . [preferably before arriving in Japan.] 2. American Express credit card works. 3. Please make sure that credit card is set up in the PC browser. 4. Then it’s good to go. This works well for me, and I never had problems with it. ### 5/5 — It works *2026-03-04* The UI is a bit basic but the app definitely works well in my experience. Not sure why there are so many negative reviews. It’s very easy to connect your account to IC card (Suica, Pasmo etc) as well, which will let you just use your phone to enter Shinkansen areas. Also, remember your login information. Write it down. The app won’t remember automatically and it doesn’t use Face ID. ### 5/5 — Great app *2026-02-17, version 9.1.2* I do t know why it’s rated so low, I’ve used this app to buy tickets several times during the last 2 years and it’s so much easier than buying at stations and I love that you just scan the QR code, no keeping track of physical tickets and worrying about loosing them. ### 5/5 — Super Convenient! *2025-12-25, version 9.1.2* I don’t know why it’s so poorly rated because this app was super handy during my two week trip to Japan. Bought all my tickets and seats ahead of time and was able to tie them to my Suica. Definitely recommend if you’re visiting! ### 5/5 — Very convenient! *2025-11-19, version 9.1.1* The app works flawlessly. I’m assuming the bad reviews were before a rework. ### 5/5 — App Works Well! *2025-11-04, version 9.1.1* I have been using this app now for a couple of years. It is essential for getting around Japan and being able to connect my IC card makes it even easier. It admittedly takes a few minutes to get your account and payment set up as a foreigner but once it’s done, it works well! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*