Train tickets in Japan

[petlady7]

Hi , have read on FB that train tickets from Osaka to Kyoto have to be booked in advance and reserved and it is not possible to buy them at the station , has anybody been recently to know either way please or does anybody know the website to book them , ninjarail has a really bad review score so don't want to use them , thanks

[monkey@cruise]

2 hours ago, petlady7 said:

Hi , have read on FB that train tickets from Osaka to Kyoto have to be booked in advance and reserved and it is not possible to buy them at the station , has anybody been recently to know either way please or does anybody know the website to book them , ninjarail has a really bad review score so don't want to use them , thanks

You mean the shinkansen (bullet train) from Osaka to Kyoto? it's a 15 min ride, why pay more and restrict your travel schedule. You can reserve ticket in advance but you must know how to retrieve your tickets from a green vending machine or from ticket office. 

 

How to purchase shinkansen tickets
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/pages/how-to-purchase-shinkansen-tickets

 

Purchase a non-reserved seat ticket from a vending machine in Shin-Osaka station (10 miles from Osaka cruise terminal). You can board any train stopping at Kyoto, but you only ride in carriage #1 to #3.

 

Non-reserved seat does not specify the train or seat number. Reserved seat specifies the date of travel, train, and seat number. 

[BruceMuzz]

4 hours ago, petlady7 said:

Hi , have read on FB that train tickets from Osaka to Kyoto have to be booked in advance and reserved and it is not possible to buy them at the station , has anybody been recently to know either way please or does anybody know the website to book them , ninjarail has a really bad review score so don't want to use them , thanks

You were mis-informed.

If seats are available - and they usually are - you can purchase the tickets in the Station.

[petlady7]

Thanks , intend to buy our tickets on the day if possible

[Miaminice]

We did the trip in October on our third cruise to Japan. Bought the ticket at a machine (unreserved seats) and did the same on the way back. No problem. No need to reserve in advance.

[shecritic]

I did that trip last month without any issues getting tickets at the station. A few others have replied saying you can definitely buy tickets on the day without needing to reserve in advance. That was our experience as well - we just bought unreserved tickets from a machine at Shin-Osaka station with no problem.

 

The trains run frequently so even if a particular one is full, the next one will likely have space. And it's such a short trip that reserving doesn't really buy you much.

Edited April 22 by shecritic

[Pushka]

The timing of tickets is very much dependent on demand during the period. We are in Japan next year during Sakura, Golden Week and the opening of the World Trade Fair in Osaka. Every long distance train will be be pre booked.