# Shinkansen travel and Smart EX service regulations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/shinkansen-travel-and-smart-ex-service-regulations
> Updated: 2026-10-04T13:42:08.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Shinkansen travel regulations and Smart EX service procedures have undergone changes regarding ticket usage and stopovers. Travelers using the Smart EX service must be aware that exiting ticket gates at intermediate stations invalidates the remainder of a journey, as limited express tickets are typically collected upon exit. Furthermore, as of March 13, 2026, traditional round-trip discounts for journeys over 601 kilometers have been phased out, requiring passengers to purchase separate one-way tickets.

Regarding service flexibility, Smart EX users can still complete journeys if they forget their registered IC card. Passengers may resolve this by exchanging their reservation for a paper ticket using a ‘receipt code’ and password, or by updating the reservation to a different compatible IC card or mobile service.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-04: Smart EX users can travel without registered IC cards

Smart EX users who forget their registered IC card can still board the Shinkansen by exchanging their reservation for a paper ticket using a receipt code or by switching to a different compatible IC card.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/smart-ex-users-can-travel-without-registered-ic-cards

### 2026-09-30: Shinkansen travel rules: Stopover limitations and discount changes

Shinkansen travelers using Smart EX must note that exiting gates for stopovers invalidates remaining segments. Round-trip discounts and specific ticket types have also seen recent regulatory changes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shinkansen-travel-rules-stopover-limitations-and-discount-changes

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Cite as: Shinkansen travel and Smart EX service regulations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/shinkansen-travel-and-smart-ex-service-regulations