When it comes to boarding the Shinkansen with a wheelchair, many people find the reservation process and the availability of discounts to be unclear.
However, the disability discount for the Shinkansen offers a 50% discount on the fare, and more companies are now allowing the purchase of discounted tickets online. If you know this in advance, you can reduce both costs and the burden of procedures.
This article provides a comprehensive overview for wheelchair users and individuals with disabilities, covering eligibility for discounts, discount rates, the online capabilities of various companies, and how to make reservations with a wheelchair.
Reservations for wheelchair-accessible seats can be made starting one month before travel. If you have a specific destination in mind, begin by checking the eligibility for discounts and the reservation process.
1. How much is the Shinkansen disability discount? Eligibility and discount rates
The Shinkansen fare consists of two components: the "base fare" and the "limited express fare". In this section, we will clarify which disability certificates are eligible and how much of a discount applies to each component.
1-1. Eligible certificates and discount rates (50% off base fare, limited express fare not eligible)
The disability discount for the Shinkansen applies to individuals holding one of the following certificates.
Physical Disability Certificate
Welfare Certificate for Persons with Disabilities
Mental Disability Health and Welfare Certificate
For all of these certificates, it is required that there is a notation of "Type 1" or "Type 2" in the "Passenger Railway Company Fare Reduction" section. If this notation is absent, you will not be eligible for the discount, so please check your certificate.
It's important to note the scope of the discount. To ride the Shinkansen, both a base fare and a limited express fare are required, but the discount applies only to the base fare, while the limited express fare is not eligible for the discount.
In other words, the entire Shinkansen fare is not halved. The discount rate is 50% off the base fare.
Furthermore, the discount is not limited to wheelchair users. Individuals with visual impairments, hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, and mental disabilities are also eligible if they meet the certificate requirements.
1-2. Mental Disability Health and Welfare Certificate will also be eligible from April 2025
In the past, JR's disability discount was only available for those with a Physical Disability Certificate or a Welfare Certificate for Persons with Disabilities.
However, starting April 1, 2025, individuals holding a Mental Disability Health and Welfare Certificate will also be eligible for the discount. This change has been long sought after.
However, like other certificates, it is necessary to have a notation of Type 1 or Type 2 in the "Passenger Railway Company Fare Reduction" section.
This notation is filled out by the local government at the time of issuance, and the format and notation status of the certificate may vary depending on your local government. If you cannot find the notation on your certificate, please contact the relevant office in your local government.
1-3. Quick Reference Table for Fares by Section
Let's take a look at how much cheaper it actually becomes by examining the fares for major sections. Below are the one-way fares for an adult using a "Nozomi" ordinary car reserved seat.
*The amounts listed above are approximate. The base fare (fare) has been verified with the official information from each company, but the price of the limited express fare may vary depending on the reservation service used. Please check the latest prices with the reservation service you will be using.
*The limited express fare is the price during regular periods. The price of reserved seats for limited express trains fluctuates depending on the season (200 yen discount during off-peak periods, 200 yen increase during busy periods, and 400 yen increase during peak periods. For sections crossing the Tōkaidō, Sanyō, and Kyushu Shinkansen, the price doubles).
The base fare is determined by the distance traveled, so the discounted amount will not change depending on the time of year.Only the limited express fare portion, which is not eligible for the discount, will fluctuate.
Therefore, when planning your trip, it is helpful to think of it as "the base fare will definitely be reduced by half," making it easier to estimate costs.
1-4. Conditions for Caregiver Discounts
Under the disability discount, caregivers may also be eligible for a discount. The conditions vary depending on the type of certificate.
| All services require a My Number Card for use. Additionally, you must collect your reserved ticket at the designated ticket vending machine or ticket office before boarding. Furthermore, as of February 26, 2024, JR East has already supported online purchases for physical disability certificates and rehabilitation certificates, and JR West will do so starting February 27, 2024. This time, the mental disability health and welfare certificate has been added. 2-2. JR CentralFrom October 1, 2026, the "EX App" for Express Reservation and Smart EX will allow users with physical disability certificates and rehabilitation certificates to use the discount products "EX Physical Disability Discount" and "EX Intellectual Disability Discount". By registering the certificate information with a My Number Card, passengers can board without going to the ticket office, using online reservations and ticketless travel. However, boarding is limited to the designated IC card for boarding, and paper tickets cannot be collected. Previously, passengers were instructed to purchase discounted tickets for persons with disabilities at the Midori ticket office and combine them with the "e-Express Ticket" for the express ticket portion, but this new product eliminates that hassle. Discount products for those with mental disability health and welfare certificates are expected to be released in spring 2027. Additionally, the e-Express Ticket is announced to end sales for rides on March 31, 2027. Those currently using a combination of e-Express Tickets and discounted tickets should be cautious about future transitions. 参照：EX予約サービス 身体障がい者割引・知的障がい者割引｜エクスプレス予約 新幹線の会員制ネット予約 2-3. How will the mental disability health and welfare certificate be handled online?The status of online support for the mental disability health and welfare certificate is organized by company as follows. Those with mental disability health and welfare certificates can apply for discounted tickets through Ekinet, e5489, and JR Kyushu's online reservation. Ekinet handles discounted tickets (paper tickets) for all JR lines, allowing applications even for sections of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, which can be collected at the station before boarding. Ticketless travel with JR Central's EX Services will have to wait for the spring 2027 support. 3-2. Preparation Before Boarding: Confirming Vehicle Number and Seat, Requesting Assistance from Station Staff When applying on the website, you need to fill in the departure time and train name. Please use "Eki-net" to search for the train you want to take. By entering your boarding station, alighting station, and date and time, you can quickly find the train you desire. Reference: Eki-net Additionally, there may be slight gaps or steps between the platform and the Shinkansen. If you require assistance from station staff, such as using a wheelchair ramp or guidance within the station,make sure to inform them when making your reservation. The vehicles with wheelchair-accessible seats are designed with wide doors, allowing easy boarding even with a large electric wheelchair (approximately 70 cm wide) that I use. Multi-purpose rooms and barrier-free restrooms are also located in the same or nearby vehicles. On the other hand, there are very few trains with wheelchair seats in non-reserved seating. If you purchase a non-reserved seat, you will have to wait in the deck area, so I recommend reserved seats for long-distance travel. At Ayumi, we asked wheelchair users about their experiences using the Shinkansen. Many mentioned the presence of multi-purpose rooms, which allow them to spend time without worrying about other passengers. However,it was also noted that multi-purpose rooms often cannot be reserved online, which can be inconvenient. Wheelchair influencer Ryoko Nakajima posted the following in 2023. 東京駅の新幹線きっぷ売り場で事前に電話予約した往復のチケット買おうとしたら全然話通じてなくて結局2本も先の新幹線に乗ることになるし予約したけど個室も空いてないし、チケット買うまでに30分以上かかってるし結局次のも間に合わなそう。
何のための電話予約なんだろうか。😡
#車椅子で新幹線 This post conveys the situation before the online purchase of discounted tickets for people with disabilities began. At that time, reservations were primarily made by phone or at ticket counters, and the lengthy procedures were a significant issue. Subsequently, online purchases for physical disability certificates and childcare certificates began in 2024, followed by mental health disability certificates in 2026, gradually improving the situation. However,the reservation for wheelchair-accessible seats is still done through an "application acceptance" method, and the need for careful planning remains unchanged. You can read the interview article with Ryoko Nakajima below. Reference: The facilities available for wheelchair users on the Shinkansen include "wheelchair-accessible seats," "wheelchair spaces," and "multi-purpose rooms." Share This Article Related Articles Introducing carefully selected barrier-free information sites that help wheelchair users go out with peace of mind. We've compiled services like IKKEL and WheeLog! that allow you to efficiently search for information on accommodations, transportation, and facilities. For those attending the 5th Asian Para Games in a wheelchair, here's a guide to a barrier-free trip in Aichi and Nagoya. It covers applying for wheelchair-accessible seating, transportation, hotel selection, dining, and tips for the day of the event. Here are seven questions to ask over the phone before staying at an accessible hotel in a wheelchair. These include inquiries about steps, bed height, space for attaching a wheelchair, handrails, bathrooms, and assistance equipment. We explain the points to confirm both before and after booking, along with practical ways to ask these questions over the phone. Are you worried about traveling with a wheelchair user? This article provides tips for booking inns with electric beds and example phrases for inquiries. We also introduce five inns that actually have electric beds, so be sure to check it out. Many people may not know how to make use of their disability certificate once they obtain it. In fact, various everyday services and items that you might use without a second thought can be discounted or offer special services with a disability certificate. This time, we will discuss how to […] Are you struggling with the return time for winter illuminations in your outing activity plan? We've compiled a quick reference table of the lighting times and return times for four facilities, along with examples for your convenience. Please take a look! |
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