NEWS

Get 50% Off Shinkansen Tickets to These Cities Until 3/2021

By Rika Hoffman
Updated: October 8, 2024

While we await the details of the Japanese government’s “Go to Travel” campaign to boost tourism, here’s some good news for budget travelers in Japan.

From August 20, 2020 to March 2021, JR East (East Japan Railway Company) will give a 50% discount on select shinkansen and limited express train tickets. This applies to JR East bullet trains, with some exclusions, like Hokuriku Shinkansen trains bound for Kanazawa and Toyama, which will be half-off until September 30, 2020.

Shinkansen train lines that qualify for this discount include Hokuriku Shinkansen which connects Tokyo and Nagano and the Tohoku Shinkansen (the longest JR East bullet train line) which runs between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori and includes stops in Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture), Morioka (Iwate), and other cities.

The tickets must be purchased on the JR East website at least 20 days before the date of departure. 

And if you've missed out on this deal, don't fret! The Japan Rail Pass, which applies to many of Japan's major cities, is also a great option for budget travelers.

JR East Shinkansen Hayabusa green bullet train stopped at a station

Shinkansen Routes Available for Discount:

Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen - Hayabusa/Hayate

Tohoku Shinkansen - Yamabiko

Tohoku Shinkansen - Nasuno

Yamagata Shinkansen - Tsubasa

Akita Shinkansen - Komachi

Joetsu Shinkansen - Toki/Tanigawa

Hokuriku Shinkansen - Kagayaki (discount until September 30, 2020)

Hokuriku Shinkansen - Hakutaka (discount until September 30, 2020)

Hokuriku Shinkansen - Asama

Limited Express Routes Available for Discount:

Joban Line - Hitachi

Chuo Line - Azusa

Chuo Line - Kaiji

Soboto Line - Wakashio/Shinjuku Wakashio

Uchibo Line - Sazanami & Shinjuku Sazanami

Sobu Main Line - Shiosai

Uetsu Main Line - Inaho

JR/Tobu Direct Express - Nikko/Kinugawa/Spacia Kinugawa

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We strive to be as accurate as possible and keep up with the changing landscape of Japan's food and travel industries. If you spot any inaccuracies, please send a report.
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Rika Hoffman
Rika is a sourdough enthusiast, amateur film photographer, and pun-lover, born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia. A carb-based lifeform, she is always on the lookout for tasty bakeries in Tokyo.
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