Shinkansen smartEX App

Shown for US

• Free

Last verified 28 Jul 2026

Shown for US

1.7 556 ratings · App Store

1. 1/5Do NOT Use This Terrible App, Buy Tickets In Person

   If I could give this app zero stars, I would. Do not use it at all. The UI is completely horrible and severely outdated, it constantly blocks your account depending on what specific credit card you use, it locks your account very randomly and constantly logs you out within a very short amount of time WHILE using this app. If you want to book a ticket in advance, I recommend finding the time a few days before to go in-person and purchase your ticket that way. I bought my ticket on this app and the day of my departure, the app went on a maintenance schedule (only through my account because my other party members were able to access it) and when I attempted to use the web browser version of the app, it asked me to verify through email and despite doing so, it locked my account. Upon entering the station, the staff wasn’t even able to assist me in getting my ticket in time for my departure because so long as the app is inaccessible on my phone, they cannot help; regardless of having a reservation number or even account information provided for them. I had to buy ANOTHER physical ticket at the station so I wouldn’t miss my train. I was REALLY frustrated and am never using this app EVER again on my next trips to follow. DO NOT USE THIS APP BECAUSE IF IT DECIDES TO LOCK YOU OUT, IN PERSON STAFF CANNOT HELP YOU.

   mitsuhoney · 28 Jul 2026

2. 1/5Most infuriating app ever

   What a poor app for something that is so necessary to travel regularly by shinkansen, This is not just double factor authentication to change any bit of information in the app, it’s like quadruple. And some things like credit card info can’t be changed in the app but only on the website. I need to wait to receive an email or a text for each individual item that I need to change. Getting set up and my credit cards to work with the app has also been very difficult. And then when I need my ticket, I get a screen that says the app is busy, wait time is approximately 2 minutes. What if I needed my ticket when I was boarding a train? I guess the answer is to transfer it to my Apple Wallet. And then you need to adjust the settings so that the passion on my phone doesn’t conflict with the electronic ticket on my phone. And there are limited turnstiles that work with the app. And you look like an idiot when you try to use the app and you get rejected and hold up the line behind you. Did they use programmers from North Korea? This is so bad, but unfortunately it’s the only option. Take your lumps and live with it, I guess.

   dave2020 · 28 Jul 2026

3. 1/5The end of Japanese innovation

   This app shows the decline of Japan as a world power. Cheaply made, confusing and hard to use. It forces you to pay the basic fare from a Shinkansen station to another Shinkansen station which is good if you’re not taking the regular train before or after Shinkansen, so you end up paying more. For example, traveling from Yurakucho station (Tokyo) to Shimoji station (Aichi), total fare buying at the station ¥8,570 (¥5,170 basic + ¥3,400 Shinkansen fare), same price buying from this app, you can only buy the ticket from Shinagawa to Toyohashi (both Shinkansen stations), price the same! ¥8,570, however you also need to pay the fare from Yurakucho to Shinagawa, and from Toyohashi to Shimoji. This “glitch” can make people miss the Shinkansen and ruin their travel plans (like going to the airport to take a flight, etc.) When I first downloaded this app I had a suspicion it will have several glitches so left early to the train station and had time to buy the extra tickets needed to be able to use this app, ended up spending more time and money, next time I will just pre-purchase my tickets at station.

   CrewIAH · 28 Jul 2026

4. 1/5Not worth your frustration

   If you read nothing else, just go to the Shin station to get your ticket. You will save more time getting in your car and driving to the station to purchase your tickets. Then you will trying to get them on this app. It is just infuriating. Clearly designed by a middle school intro to web design class. You would think they were guarding all the gold in Fort Knox with the number of times you need to sign in, and then sign in again to get to a different menu it’s just ridiculous. No fingerprint or facial recognition for quick transit… You literally have to stop in front of the turnstile and bypass multiple levels of security to access your digital tickets, check your train, or departure time. The app itself is poorly designed, confusing, and clunky. That’s if it will even authenticate your credit card. You’ll spend 20 minutes, trying to get your tickets and then it won’t be able to validate your card. It’s just embarrassing… Stop researching and go to the shin station to get your tickets.

   Vince9975667 · 28 Jul 2026

5. 1/5What a mess. An embarrassment to JR.

   This app has so much potential. Ability to book almost any Shinkansen, accepts (at least theoretically) foreign credit cards, integrates with both physical and mobile Suica. All sounds great, except there’s some terrible user interface design decisions and more often than not it simply doesn’t work. First of all, credit card verification randomly fails. Tried my cards from three countries over four months and only once would it accept it. Other times it issues random “please contact your issuer” errors without even popping the 3D secure window. But it doesn’t end there. Some bright spark decided that if their incredibly error prone credit card verification failed, they’ll kick you out and make you start over again. If you’re in the midst of registering that means 5-8 minutes of wrestling with the app lost. Second, the session timeout is measured in minutes. This is on a phone where most everyone has biometric authentication enabled so sessions could safely last for months. No, 5 minutes idle and you get to login again. Third, it constantly sends 2FA codes to email. I counted at least 4 separate codes needed during sign up. Come on. Did no one do any basic flow/usability testing? This app is unfortunately a testament to how low a priority JR (an Japan in general) puts on software. Get your act together JR and put a competent team on this app and make it great!

   Tobanchan™ · 28 Jul 2026

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