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Foreign tourists get free Shinkansen tickets in Japan, and here’s how to claim them
- Oona McGee
Sep 30, 2026 - Tweet
Enjoy a free bullet train ride to one of the country’s most beautiful regions.
- Japan
- (accommodation • bullet trains • hotels • international tourists • Japan Railway Company • Japan travel • Japanese trains • JR • JR Kyushu • Kagoshima • Kitakyushu • Klook • Kyushu Shinkansen • shinkansen • tourism • tourists • trains • travel)
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
- Oona McGee
Aug 29, 2026
J-pop superstar brings new meaning to A Room of One’s Own on Japan’s busiest bullet train.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • Central Japan Railway Company • commercial • Hikaru Utada • Intentions • J-Pop • Japan Railway Company • Japan travel • JR • JR Central • JR Tokai • luxury trains • luxury travel • music • shinkansen • tourism • trains • travel)
Tokaido Lumière Express: Stay overnight inside the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo
- Oona McGee
Aug 27, 2026
For about 2,000 yen more than a regular reserved seat, you can spend the night on board the bullet train instead of paying for a hotel.
- Japan
- (bullet train • bullet trains • Central Japan Railway • Central Japan Railway Company • Japan Railway Company • Japan travel • JR • JR Central • news • Osaka • overnight trains • shinkansen • Tokaido Shinkansen • Tokyo • tourism • trains • travel)
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
- Oona McGee
Aug 20, 2026
Beautiful timepiece combines two things Japan is famous for: anime and precision timekeeping.
- Japan
- (anime • bullet train • bullet trains • cool • fashion • Japan Railways • JR • JR West • manga • One Piece • Sanyo Shinkansen • Seiko • Seiko watch • shinkansen • tourism • travel • watch • watches)
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
- Casey Baseel
Aug 8, 2026
A new way to make your journey on Japan’s fastest trains even cooler.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • Japan travel • Japanese vending machines • Shin Osaka • shinkansen • tourism • trains • travel • vending machines)
Starbucks Japan to open Shinkansen platform stores at Kyoto and Nagoya stations
- Oona McGee
Aug 6, 2026
New stores add a fresh taste and aroma to high-speed travel on Japan’s busiest bullet train route.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • cafes • coffee • cool • drinks • Japanese trains • Kyoto • Kyoto Station • Nagoya • Nagoya Station • news • Shin-Yokohama • shinkansen • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan • Tokaido Shinkansen • trains • travel • Yokohama)
Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
- Oona McGee
Jul 28, 2026
Experience the bullet train like few travellers ever have before.
- Japan
- (accommodation • Aomori • bullet train • bullet trains • cheap accommodation • cheap hotels • cheap stays • East Japan Railway • hotels • Japanese hotels • Japanese trains • JR East • Nebuta Festival • shinkansen • Tohoku • trains)
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
- Oona McGee
Jul 24, 2026
Spend the night inside a bullet train from just 5,000 yen.
- Japan
- (accommodation • Akita • Aomori • bullet trains • COK • East Japan Railway Company • hotels • Japan Railway Company • Japan travel • Japanese trains • JR • JR East • Komachi Shinkansen • overnight trains • shinkansen • sleeper train • sleeper trains • Tohoku • tourism • trains • travel)
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
- Oona McGee
Jul 24, 2026
Beautiful new design pays homage to regions that the bullet train serves, with charming hidden details.
- Japan
- (bullet train • bullet trains • design • Japan travel • JR • JR West • kodama • news • Sanyo Shinkansen • shinkansen • tourism • trains • travel • West Japan Railway • Yurari)
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
- Oona McGee
Jul 21, 2026
Meet “SOAR”, the next-generation Shinkansen designed to protect the rails.
- Japan
- (bullet train • bullet trains • East Japan Railway • East Japan Railway Company • Inspection Shinkansen • inspection trains • Inspection vehicle • Japanese trains • JR East • shinkansen • Soar • Tohoku • trains • travel)
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
- Oona McGee
Jun 26, 2026
Japan’s only Starbucks on a bullet train platform now has faster ways for passengers to get their coffee before boarding.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • cafes • coffee • cool • drinks • Japanese trains • news • Shin-Yokohama • shinkansen • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan • Tokaido Shinkansen • trains • travel • Yokohama)
Japan’s Yellow Shinkansen to be retired, last chances to ride it come with eye-popping prices
- Casey Baseel
Jun 24, 2026
Usually impossible for travelers to ride, Doctor Yellow is no ordinary bullet train, and it won’t be around much longer.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • Central Japan Railway Company • Doctor Yellow • Japan travel • JR • JR Central • JR West • shinkansen • tourism • trains • travel • WEST JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY)
Private Shinkansen Supreme Class Cabin pricing, start date, and details announced by Japan Railways
- Casey Baseel
Jun 24, 2026
Profound luxury for travelers with deep pockets is coming later this year.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • Central Japan Railway Company • Japan Railway Company • Japan travel • JR • JR Central • JR Tokai • luxury trains • luxury travel • shinkansen • tourism • trains • travel)
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
- Oona McGee
Jun 24, 2026
Late-night high-speed service allows passengers to travel while they sleep, making better use of time and cutting hotel costs.
- Japan
- (bullet train • bullet trains • Central Japan Railway • Central Japan Railway Company • Japan Railway Company • Japan travel • JR • JR Central • news • Osaka • overnight trains • shinkansen • Tokaido Shinkansen • Tokyo • tourism • trains • travel)
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
- Casey Baseel
Apr 6, 2026
Even the massively popular coffee chain itself wasn’t expecting such a positive response, prompting temporary closure less than half a year after opening.
- Japan
- (bullet train • bullet trains • cafes • coffee • COK • cool • drinks • Japan travel • Shin-Yokohama • shinkansen • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan • stations • Tokaido Shinkansen • tourism • trains • travel • Yokohama)
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
- Casey Baseel
Feb 13, 2026
Prefectural government will pay for tickets to encourage international travelers to visit their corner of Japan.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • Fukuoka • hakata • Japan travel • Kagoshima • Kagoshima Prefecture • Kyushu • Kyushu Shinkansen • shinkansen • tourism • trains • travel)
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
- Casey Baseel
Jan 7, 2026
Extra-luxurious travel mode returning to Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka bullet train route for first time in over two decades.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • Central Japan Railway Company • Japan Railway Company • Japan travel • JR • JR Central • JR Tokai • luxury travel • shinkansen • tourism • trains • travel)
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
- Oona McGee
Dec 21, 2025
Essential pointers to ensure you get your coffee without missing your train.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • cafes • coffee • cool • drinks • Japanese trains • Shin-Yokohama • shinkansen • SNJO • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan • Tokaido Shinkansen • trains • travel • Yokohama)
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
- Casey Baseel
Dec 5, 2025
Mario is also taking over the Sonic train as part of collaboration with JR.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • Japan travel • JR Kyushu • Kyushu • Kyushu Shinkansen • Mario • nintendo • shinkansen • Super Mario • tourism • trains • travel • video games)
Starbucks Japan opens first-ever branch on Shinkansen bullet train platform
- Casey Baseel
Nov 20, 2025
It’s not Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka that has it, though.
- Japan
- (bullet trains • cafes • coffee • drinks • Shin-Yokohama • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan • stations.Shinkansen • trains • Yokohama)
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Recent Posts
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MOST POPULAR
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Today
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Japan’s free stock image site of muscular men doing whimsical and mundane things reveals rankings
Godzilla becomes a Japanese randoseru backpack, as do two of his greatest rivals [Photos]
This is Japan’s best cycling course, but is it fun for bicycling beginners too?
Japanese government announces criteria for creating backup capital of Japan
Mr. Sato searches for the mysterious new wall of fortune in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases now Tokyo Reserve Roastery Christmas drinkware collection [Photos]
First-ever cafe on Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden grounds is now open
Thief mails 460 million-yen watch back to Tokyo store he stole it from, says “I’m sorry”
Weekly
- Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America- Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Life-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
Studio Ghibli homeware brand’s faux oil lamp brings light, smiles, and Kiki’s Jiji to your home
Modern exosuits are opening up ancient Japanese castle climbs to everyone
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
Starbucks Japan releases “Let’s Par-TEA!” Frappuccino and drinks for the holiday season
Cold Stone is closing its final branch in all of east Japan, but it’s going down singing
Monthly
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia- Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan- Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Chainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown- Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
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Japanese government announces criteria for creating backup capital of Japan
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Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
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