Shinkansen seasonal charges: the FY2026 calendar
The reserved-seat limited express charge on the Shinkansen goes up or down by a fixed amount depending on the travel date. Check a date, see what it means for a real fare, and find every peak and off-peak day of the fiscal year.
The four seasons
| Season | Tokaido / Sanyo / Kyushu group | JR East / Hokkaido / Hokuriku group |
|---|---|---|
| Peak-plus (busiest) | +¥400 | +¥400 |
| Peak (busy) | +¥200 | +¥200 |
| Regular | ¥0every day not listed | ¥0every day not listed |
| Off-peak | −¥200 | −¥200 |
The adjustment is made to the ordinary reserved-seat limited express charge. In the Green Car (and GranClass), the limited express part is that adjusted charge minus a fixed deduction, so the same adjustment carries through. Non-reserved seats are not adjusted.
- Source: Kippu arekore: Tokkyu-ken (limited express tickets), section 'Season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges' (シーズン別の指定席特急料金) (JR East) · Verified on · Japanese page. Gives the FY2026 calendar for JR Central / JR West / JR Shikoku / JR Kyushu as a text list, and the rule for JR East / Hokkaido / Hokuriku Shinkansen as text plus a calendar image (img/kippu0401-2.jpg, 'information as of 2026-04-01').
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.52: limited express tickets and season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges (FY2026 calendar) (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition.
- Source: FAQ No.1172: Why do limited express and Green Car prices differ by day? (JR East) · Verified on · Japanese FAQ page (published 2025-03-15).
What it means for a real charge
| Route and train | Peak-plus (busiest) | Peak (busy) | Regular | Off-peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo – KyotoHikari, Tokaido Shinkansen | ¥5,890 | ¥5,690 | ¥5,490 | ¥5,290 |
| Tokyo – SendaiHayabusa, Tohoku Shinkansen | ¥5,760 | ¥5,560 | ¥5,360 | ¥5,160 |
Limited express charge only; the basic fare is added on top and does not change by season. Regular-season charges from our fare table.
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.2: Shinkansen fare and limited express charge quick-reference table (Tokaido/Sanyo Nozomi; Hikari/Kodama from Tokyo) (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.3: Tokaido/Sanyo Hikari/Kodama table (continued) and Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Green Car charges (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Use of NOZOMI/MIZUHO trains (JAPAN RAIL PASS (JR Group)) · Verified on
- Source: NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket: available sections, types, prices (for adults) (JAPAN RAIL PASS (JR Group)) · Verified on · Tax included. The same prices apply to Green Car tickets, reserved seat tickets in an ordinary car and non-reserved seat tickets in an ordinary car.
- Source: Jikokuhyo Tokyo-eki (Tokyo Station timetables): Tokaido/Sanyo, Tohoku/Hokkaido, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen, weekday departures and per-train stop lists (JR East) · Verified on · Times read from the operator's November 2026 weekday timetable (trains running on Wed 4 Nov 2026): one train's arrival time minus its departure time at the two stations. 'Typical' = the median of all runs of that train type; 'fastest' = the quickest scheduled run. Tokyo departures only (outbound direction). Per-train pages change URL every month, so the station index is cited.
- Source: Eki jikokuhyo: Shin-Osaka Station, Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen, for Okayama/Hakata/Kagoshima-Chuo (4 Nov 2026) (JR West (JR Odekake Net)) · Verified on · Times read from the operator's November 2026 weekday timetable (trains running on Wed 4 Nov 2026): one train's arrival time minus its departure time at the two stations. 'Typical' = the median of all runs of that train type; 'fastest' = the quickest scheduled run. JR West states that times shown are a guide (目安). Tokyo-Kyoto (both directions): Hikari 58 runs, 144-171 min (median 156); Nozomi 226 runs, 127-135 min (median 132), quickest Nozomi 293 (127 min).
- Source: Eki jikokuhyo: Shin-Osaka Station, Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen, for Nagoya/Tokyo (4 Nov 2026) (JR West (JR Odekake Net)) · Verified on · Times read from the operator's November 2026 weekday timetable (trains running on Wed 4 Nov 2026): one train's arrival time minus its departure time at the two stations. 'Typical' = the median of all runs of that train type; 'fastest' = the quickest scheduled run. JR West states that times shown are a guide (目安).
- Source: Eki jikokuhyo: Hakata Station, Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen, for Hiroshima/Shin-Osaka (4 Nov 2026) (JR West (JR Odekake Net)) · Verified on · Times read from the operator's November 2026 weekday timetable (trains running on Wed 4 Nov 2026): one train's arrival time minus its departure time at the two stations. 'Typical' = the median of all runs of that train type; 'fastest' = the quickest scheduled run. JR West states that times shown are a guide (目安).
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.7: Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen (Hayabusa) table (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.8: Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen (Hayate/Yamabiko/Nasuno) table with operating kilometres from Tokyo (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.9: Green Car / Gran Class charges for Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku and Hokkaido Shinkansen (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Kippu arekore: Tokkyu-ken (limited express tickets), section 'Season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges' (シーズン別の指定席特急料金) (JR East) · Verified on · Japanese page. Gives the FY2026 calendar for JR Central / JR West / JR Shikoku / JR Kyushu as a text list, and the rule for JR East / Hokkaido / Hokuriku Shinkansen as text plus a calendar image (img/kippu0401-2.jpg, 'information as of 2026-04-01').
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.52: limited express tickets and season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges (FY2026 calendar) (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition.
- Source: FAQ No.1172: Why do limited express and Green Car prices differ by day? (JR East) · Verified on · Japanese FAQ page (published 2025-03-15).
Check a date
Defaults to today in Japan.
Pick a date to see the season on each line group.
The adjustment is added to the ordinary reserved-seat limited express charge. Non-reserved seats are not adjusted.
- Source: Kippu arekore: Tokkyu-ken (limited express tickets), section 'Season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges' (シーズン別の指定席特急料金) (JR East) · Verified on · Japanese page. Gives the FY2026 calendar for JR Central / JR West / JR Shikoku / JR Kyushu as a text list, and the rule for JR East / Hokkaido / Hokuriku Shinkansen as text plus a calendar image (img/kippu0401-2.jpg, 'information as of 2026-04-01').
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.52: limited express tickets and season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges (FY2026 calendar) (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition.
- Source: FAQ No.1172: Why do limited express and Green Car prices differ by day? (JR East) · Verified on · Japanese FAQ page (published 2025-03-15).
Want the full fare for that day? Shinkansen fare finder and the JR Pass calculator both take an optional travel date.
FY2026 (Apr 2026 - Mar 2027) calendar: Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen
Lines: Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (trips within JR Central, JR West, JR Shikoku or JR Kyushu, or across JR companies; excluding the Hokuriku Shinkansen).
Covers 1 Apr 2026 to 31 Mar 2027. Ranges include both ends; every day not listed is regular season.
| Month | Peak-plus (busiest) (+¥400) | Peak (busy) (+¥200) | Off-peak (−¥200) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | — | — | |
| May 2026 | — | ||
| Jun 2026 | — | — | |
| Jul 2026 | — | ||
| Aug 2026 | |||
| Sep 2026 | — | ||
| Oct 2026 | — | — | |
| Nov 2026 | — | ||
| Dec 2026 | |||
| Jan 2027 | |||
| Feb 2027 | — | — | |
| Mar 2027 | — |
A range that runs into the next month is listed under the month it starts.
Notes from the sources
- The dates are printed as a text list, identically, on JR East's ticket page and on JR West's Kippu no Rule p.52; they were converted to ranges by script (20 peak-plus days, 66 peak days, 107 off-peak days).
- Any date not listed is regular season.
- JR Kyushu conventional lines and the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen have no off-peak season, so off-peak dates are charged at the regular rate there.
- Non-reserved limited express charges are not seasonal: on any day they are the regular-season reserved-seat charge minus 530 yen.
- When riding a Green Car or GranClass, the limited express charge is the ordinary reserved-seat charge for the day of travel (after the seasonal adjustment) minus 530 yen, plus the Green Car / GranClass charge.
- The FY2027 calendar (from 1 April 2027) was not published on these pages as of 2026-10-26.
- Source: Kippu arekore: Tokkyu-ken (limited express tickets), section 'Season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges' (シーズン別の指定席特急料金) (JR East) · Verified on · Japanese page. Gives the FY2026 calendar for JR Central / JR West / JR Shikoku / JR Kyushu as a text list, and the rule for JR East / Hokkaido / Hokuriku Shinkansen as text plus a calendar image (img/kippu0401-2.jpg, 'information as of 2026-04-01').
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.52: limited express tickets and season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges (FY2026 calendar) (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition.
FY2026 (Apr 2026 - Mar 2027) calendar: JR East, Hokkaido and Hokuriku Shinkansen
Lines: JR East Shinkansen (Tohoku, Joetsu, Yamagata, Akita), Hokkaido Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen (also JR East conventional limited expresses with seasonal charges, and the Shirasagi / Thunderbird).
Covers 1 Apr 2026 to 31 Mar 2027. Ranges include both ends; every day not listed is regular season.
| Month | Peak-plus (busiest) (+¥400) | Peak (busy) (+¥200) | Off-peak (−¥200) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | |||
| May 2026 | — | — | |
| Jun 2026 | — | — | |
| Jul 2026 | — | ||
| Aug 2026 | — | ||
| Sep 2026 | — | ||
| Oct 2026 | — | ||
| Nov 2026 | — | ||
| Dec 2026 | — | ||
| Jan 2027 | — | — | |
| Feb 2027 | — | — | |
| Mar 2027 | — | — |
A range that runs into the next month is listed under the month it starts.
Notes from the sources
- JR East's rule (text): peak-plus = 1-6 Jan, 27 Apr-6 May, 10-19 Aug, 28-31 Dec; peak = 21 Mar-5 Apr and 1-9 Aug, plus any run of three or more days off in July, September, October or November where a public holiday joins a weekend, and the day before that run; off-peak = Mondays to Thursdays within 7 Jan-end Feb, 21-26 Apr, 7-10 May, 1 Jun-15 Jul, 1 Sep-10 Oct and 1 Nov-27 Dec, excluding public holidays, the day before a public holiday and substitute holidays.
- The dates above were read from JR East's FY2026 calendar image (information as of 1 Apr 2026) and checked day by day against that rule: every day matches.
- Any date not listed is regular season.
- Non-reserved limited express charges are not seasonal (regular-season reserved charge minus 530 yen on any day).
- Green Car / GranClass limited express charge = that day's ordinary reserved-seat charge (after the seasonal adjustment) minus 530 yen.
- Some JR East conventional limited expresses (Hitachi, Tokiwa, Azusa, Kaiji, Narita Express, Odoriko and others listed in JR East FAQ No.1172) charge the same price all year.
- The FY2027 calendar was not published as of 2026-10-26.
- Source: Kippu arekore: Tokkyu-ken (limited express tickets), section 'Season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges' (シーズン別の指定席特急料金) (JR East) · Verified on · Japanese page. Gives the FY2026 calendar for JR Central / JR West / JR Shikoku / JR Kyushu as a text list, and the rule for JR East / Hokkaido / Hokuriku Shinkansen as text plus a calendar image (img/kippu0401-2.jpg, 'information as of 2026-04-01').
- Source: FAQ No.1172: Why do limited express and Green Car prices differ by day? (JR East) · Verified on · Japanese FAQ page (published 2025-03-15).
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.52: limited express tickets and season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges (FY2026 calendar) (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition.
FAQ
How much more does a Shinkansen reserved seat cost in peak season?
JR adjusts the ordinary reserved-seat limited express charge by date: +¥400 in the peak-plus (busiest) season, +¥200 in the peak season and −¥200 in the off-peak season, compared with the regular season. The same amounts apply to both line groups on this page; only the calendars differ.
Do non-reserved seats cost more in peak season?
No. Non-reserved limited express charges are not seasonal: on any day they are the regular-season reserved-seat charge minus 530 yen.
Does the Green Car cost more in peak season?
When riding a Green Car or GranClass, the limited express charge is the ordinary reserved-seat charge for the day of travel (after the seasonal adjustment) minus 530 yen, plus the Green Car / GranClass charge.
Is next year's calendar available?
The FY2027 calendar (from 1 April 2027) was not published on these pages as of 2026-10-26. Our calendar covers FY2026 (Apr 2026 - Mar 2027), through 31 Mar 2027; calculators on this site show the regular-season charge for later dates.