[2026 Latest Edition] Differences Between Smart EX, EX Reservation, and Ekinet | Which One Should You Use for a Family Trip from Tokyo?
*This article contains advertisements and affiliate links.
*The information provided is based on official data as of the end of July 2026. Prices, eligible sections, and service details are subject to change, so please check each official website before booking.
When you try to book a Shinkansen ticket online,
"Smart EX"
"Express Reservation"
"Ekinet"
and other services appear.
Even if you have heard the names,
"Which one is actually the cheapest?"
"Isn't there Ekinet?"
"Is it necessary to pay an annual fee for EX Reservation?"
"Which service is easiest to use for a family trip?"
you might be confused.
While researching Shinkansen tickets from Tokyo to Atami, I also learned that the eligible routes and discount products differ depending on the booking service.
In conclusion, these three services cannot be compared simply by price alone.
The service you should check first depends on your destination and the Shinkansen route.
In this article, for those planning a family trip or visiting home from Tokyo, I will explain:
・Differences between Smart EX, EX Reservation, and Ekinet
・How to choose based on your destination
・Annual fees and discount products
・How to book for children
・Points to note regarding changes and missing your train
・Differences from NAVITIME Travel and Big Holiday
in an easy-to-understand way from amom's perspective.
Conclusion | Choose your Shinkansen booking service from Tokyo based on your "destination"
First, let's confirm the basic usage.
For Atami, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima, and Hakata
Since you will be using the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen, you should mainly check the following two:
・Smart EX
・Express Reservation (EX Reservation)
For Sendai, Morioka, Shin-Aomori, Niigata, and Nagano
Since I use the Tohoku, Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines, I mainly check Ekinet.
Smart EX and Express Reservation are online booking services exclusively for the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. Ekinet's Shinkansen e-Ticket service primarily covers the Tohoku, Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines.
In other words, the booking service you open first will differ depending on whether you are traveling from Tokyo to Atami or from Tokyo to Sendai.
What is Smart EX?
Smart EX is an online booking service with no annual fee that allows you to book the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines.
By registering your credit card and transportation IC card, you can book Shinkansen tickets from your smartphone and board ticketlessly using your registered Suica, PASMO, or similar cards.
Because there is no annual fee, it is an easy service for families who use the Shinkansen for trips or visiting relatives a few times a year to adopt.
Key Features of Smart EX
・No annual fee
・Covers Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen
・Bookable via smartphone or EX app
・Boarding possible by registering a transportation IC card
・Can book for the whole family at once
・Can use EX Hayatoku (early bird) discounts
・Can select seats from a seat map
Benefits of Smart EX
The biggest benefit is that you can use it without paying an annual fee.
Even families who only ride the Shinkansen about 1 to 3 times a year can register without worrying about annual fees.
Also, if your travel dates are decided early, you can use not only regular products but also "EX Hayatoku" discounts.
As of July 2026, the main Hayatoku products are as follows:
・EX Hayatoku 1
・EX Hayatoku 3
・EX Hayatoku 7
・EX Hayatoku 21
・EX Family Hayatoku 7
However, the eligible trains, sections, purchase deadlines, and booking change conditions vary by product. There may also be cases where seats for Hayatoku are sold out or there are blackout dates, such as during Golden Week.
Points to Note for Smart EX
Using Smart EX does not necessarily mean you will always get the lowest price.
For trips involving overnight stays, travel packages that bundle the Shinkansen and a hotel may be cheaper.
Also, Smart EX products are dedicated items that combine the Shinkansen section's base fare ticket and limited express ticket. You may need to pay separately for local train fares to the Shinkansen station and from the Shinkansen station to your destination.
Compare not just the displayed Shinkansen fare, but the total cost from your home to your destination.
What is Express Reservation (EX Reservation)?
Express Reservation is a paid membership service that allows you to book Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen tickets at member prices throughout the year.
The general service annual fee is 1,100 yen (tax included). Please note that this service annual fee for Express Reservation may be charged separately from the annual fee for the credit card itself.
Key Features of Express Reservation
・Covers Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen
・Service annual fee is generally 1,100 yen
・Member prices available year-round
・EX Hayatoku (Early Discount) can be used
・Reservations can be made via smartphone or the EX App
・Boarding possible by registering a transportation IC card
・Can book for family members all at once
Benefits of Express Reservation
Express Reservation is a service where the more frequently you use the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen, the easier it is to recoup the annual fee.
Even for last-minute bookings where early discounts cannot be used, there are sections where the member price is cheaper than regular tickets or Smart EX.
It is suitable for those who use the Tokaido Shinkansen frequently for business trips, visiting family, or travel.
Points to Note for Express Reservation
If you only use the Shinkansen about once a year, the annual fee may end up being higher than the amount you save.
When making a decision,
Calculate "(Difference from Smart EX) × (Number of uses per year)"
and check if it exceeds the 1,100 yen annual fee.
For example, if the difference from Smart EX is 300 yen one-way, using it 4 times one-way would result in a total difference of 1,200 yen.
However, 300 yen is just a calculation example.
The actual difference varies depending on the section, train, seat, travel date, and product used, so please check the official reservation screen.
Differences Between Smart EX and Express Reservation
Both Smart EX and Express Reservation allow you to book the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen.
The major differences are the annual membership fees and the prices of regular products.
Who Smart EX is for
・You ride the Shinkansen only a few times a year
・You mainly use it for family trips or visiting your hometown
・You do not want to pay an annual membership fee
・You want to start booking online easily first
・You want to use EX Hayatoku once your travel dates are decided
Who Express Reservation is for
・You frequently use the Tokaido Shinkansen
・You use it for both business trips and vacations
・You often make last-minute bookings
・You are likely to recover the difference in cost beyond the annual fee
・You want to use member pricing throughout the year
For families traveling from Tokyo to Atami, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, etc., a few times a year, the annual-fee-free Smart EX is often sufficient.
It is not too late to consider switching to Express Reservation after your usage frequency increases.
What is Ekinet?
Ekinet is an online reservation service operated by JR East.
You can book the Tohoku, Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines, as well as limited express trains in the JR East area.
There is no annual membership fee.
For the Shinkansen, you can use the "Shinkansen e-Ticket" and pass through ticket gates using a registered transportation IC card.
Since you can book for up to 6 people at once, it can also be used for family trips.
Main features of Ekinet
・No annual membership fee
・Strong for Shinkansen and limited express trains in the JR East and JR Hokkaido areas
・Supports Shinkansen e-Tickets
・Boarding possible with transportation IC cards
・Can book for the whole family at once
・Can use Tokudane discounts
What is Ekinet's "Tokudane"?
Ekinet offers "Shinkansen e-Ticket (Tokudane)," which are discount products limited by train, section, and number of seats.
As of July 2026, the representative products are as follows.
・Shinkansen e-Ticket (Tokudane 1)
・Shinkansen e-Ticket (Tokudane 14)
・Limited-time Tokudane Special
Tokudane 1 offers settings for 5–20% discounts compared to regular Shinkansen e-Tickets on eligible trains and sections. The application deadline is 11:50 PM on the day before boarding.
Tokudane 14 is a product that offers a higher discount rate than Tokudane 1 by applying by 11:50 PM, 14 days before the boarding date.
However, it is not available for all time slots or trains.
If the Tokudane for your desired train is sold out, you should also compare it with regular Shinkansen e-tickets.
Who is Ekinet suitable for?
・Traveling from Tokyo to Sendai, Morioka, or Shin-Aomori
・Traveling from Tokyo to Niigata or Echigo-Yuzawa
・Traveling from Tokyo to Nagano
・Using limited express trains in the JR East area
・Wanting to book cheaply using Tokudane
Should I not use Ekinet if I am going to Atami?
If you are taking the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Atami, it is easier to compare mainly using Smart EX or Express Reservation.
There are cases where you can apply for some JR tickets via Ekinet as well.
However, Ekinet's main discount product, "Shinkansen e-ticket (Tokudane)," covers the Tohoku, Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines. For early booking services to get to Atami via the Tokaido Shinkansen, Smart EX or Express Reservation are better suited for your purpose.
When traveling from Tokyo to Atami as in this case, it is recommended to first compare regular products and EX Hayatoku on Smart EX.
By Destination | Reservation Services to Check First
* This quick reference table summarizes typical travel destinations. If your trip involves transfers or the use of multiple Shinkansen lines, please search using your actual route.
What kind of products are available under EX Hayatoku?
Smart EX and Express Reservation offer several EX Hayatoku products.
The names contain numbers, which mainly indicate the booking deadline.
EX Hayatoku 1
This is a product that can be booked until 11:30 PM on the day before boarding.
Starting from April 1, 2026, the eligible sections have been expanded and prices for some sections have been revised.
A key feature is that you can purchase tickets relatively close to the departure date.
EX Hayatoku 3
This is a product that must be purchased at least 3 days before the boarding date.
Eligible trains, sections, and seats are specified.
If you wish to change your reservation, the new boarding date must be at least 3 days from the time of the change, the conditions for the same product must be met, and seats must be available.
EX Hayatoku 7
This is a product that must be purchased at least 7 days before the boarding date.
Eligible sections have been added starting from boarding dates on February 27, 2026.
If you wish to change your reservation, there must be at least 7 days from the time of the change to the boarding date, the conditions for the product must be met, and seats must be available.
EX Hayatoku 21
This is a product that must be purchased at least 21 days before the boarding date.
Eligible sections were added starting from boarding dates on March 13, 2026.
This is a product you should check if your travel schedule is decided early, but the eligible sections and trains are limited.
Points to note when using Hayatoku
While Hayatoku may be cheaper, the conditions are stricter than for regular products.
Check the following before making a reservation.
・Can the reservation be changed?
・Can the same Hayatoku be used after the change?
・Refund fees
・Handling in case of missing the train
・Exclusion dates during busy seasons
・Are there enough seats for the whole family?
If it is difficult to predict a child's physical condition or preparation time, ease of changing plans is just as important as a difference of a few hundred yen.
Is it cheaper to book a round trip together?
From April 2026 onwards, booking a round trip via Smart EX or Express Reservation does not necessarily guarantee a lower price.
Therefore, it is currently recommended to compare the outbound and return trips separately.
For example,
・Use EX Hayatoku for the outbound trip with a fixed departure time
・Use standard products for the return trip, which are easier to change
・Use a Shinkansen + hotel package if you are staying overnight
You can choose different products for the outbound and return journeys, as shown above.
On family trips, it can sometimes be difficult to predict the return time.
If you choose products with strict change conditions for the return trip as well, it may become difficult to accommodate children's fatigue or changes in plans.
Does every family member need to register as a member?
Since the representative can book for the whole family at once, it is not necessary for every family member to become a member of Smart EX or Ekinet individually.
However, if all family members are using transport IC cards for ticketless boarding, you must assign each user's IC card to the reservation.
Even if you are using a child's Suica or similar, make sure to check the registration method in advance.
It is safer to be able to check your reservation details immediately in case of a smartphone battery drain or an IC card registration error.
At what age do children start paying Shinkansen fares?
At JR, generally, "child" fares are required starting from elementary school age.
Adult
12 years old and older.
However, even if they are 12, if they are still in elementary school, they are treated as a "child".
Child
6 years old and older but under 12 years old.
However, even if they are 6, if they have not yet entered elementary school, they are treated as an "infant".
Infant
They are 1 year old or older and under 6 years old.
Infant
They are under 1 year old.
In principle, toddlers and infants travel for free, but if you use one reserved seat, a child's ticket and limited express ticket are required.
Also, in principle, up to two toddlers can accompany each paying passenger for free.
Should you book a seat even for a preschooler?
If the following apply, you may want to consider paying the child fare and securing a seat even for a preschooler.
・Traveling for a long time
・One adult taking a child
・The child will sleep on the train
・You have a lot of luggage
・Traveling during busy seasons
・The child is at an age where it is difficult to sit on your lap
Consider not just whether it is free, but also the burden on the entire family.
How easy is it to change reservations?
Change conditions differ between regular products and early-bird discount products.
For regular products, some can be changed online if conditions such as being before the departure time of the reserved train are met.
On the other hand, early-bird discount products have restrictions such as:
・The dates you can change are limited
・Seats for the same early-bird discount must be available
・They become regular products after the reservation deadline
・You must refund and rebook
These are some of the limitations.
Ekinet's 'Toku-da-ne' is also a product with stricter change and refund conditions than regular tickets. The official site also advises that 'Toku-da-ne' has different restrictions than regular tickets.
Choose based not only on price but also by considering the 'possibility that the travel date might change due to a child's fever'.
What happens if I miss the reserved train?
How missing a train is handled depends on the reserved product.
For regular reserved seat products, you may be able to use the non-reserved seats of subsequent trains on the same day if conditions are met.
On the other hand, with early-bird discount products or travel agency tour products, if you miss your reserved train, you may not be able to board subsequent trains with that ticket.
Please be sure to check the product notes before booking.
When traveling with children,
・Station restrooms
・Diaper changing
・Moving with a stroller
・Waiting for elevators
・Purchasing drinks and food
・Moving to the platform
take time.
Compared to traveling with only adults, it is recommended to schedule your arrival at the station with an extra 20 to 30 minutes of buffer time.
Besides Smart EX and Ekinet, there is also NAVITIME Travel
For those who are unsure which JR booking service to use, there is also the option of searching for Shinkansen and limited express tickets via NAVITIME Travel.
With NAVITIME Travel, you can book tickets for JR Shinkansen and limited express trains nationwide online. As of February 2026, it has been announced that pickup at designated stations is also supported.
Features of NAVITIME Travel
・Search for Shinkansen and limited express trains nationwide
・Book without member registration
・Supports credit card payment
・Easy to search for Shinkansen and conventional line limited express trains together
・Paper tickets can sometimes be delivered to your home or picked up at designated stations
Who NAVITIME Travel is for
・Those who find it difficult to use different booking sites for each route
・Those who want to book without registering as a member
・Those who want to arrange Shinkansen and conventional line limited express trains together
・Those who want to prepare paper tickets in advance
However, NAVITIME Travel is not an official booking service of the JR companies, but a service that arranges tickets as a travel agency.
The displayed price may include handling fees, shipping costs, etc. There are cases where the official search results state that the price includes handling fees and ticket shipping costs in addition to the fare and limited express ticket.
If you prioritize low prices, compare the final payment amount with Smart EX, Express Reservation, and Ekinet.
If you are staying overnight, also compare Big Holiday's "Shinkansen + Hotel" packages
With Smart EX and Ekinet, you generally book the Shinkansen and hotel separately.
On the other hand, for trips involving an overnight stay, travel packages that bundle the Shinkansen and hotel together may be cheaper.
At Big Holiday, you can book tours that combine JR/Shinkansen travel with hotels or accommodations. You can freely combine round-trip Shinkansen tickets with lodging plans, and products that allow you to add a rental car as an option are also listed.
Who Big Holiday is for
・Staying for one night or more using the Shinkansen
・Wanting to book the Shinkansen and hotel together
・Wanting to keep the total cost of transportation and accommodation down
・Wanting to complete reservations for the whole family at once
・Wanting to choose and combine accommodations and trains
How to compare
Compare the following two options under the same travel conditions.
Individual Booking
Transportation costs from Smart EX or Ekinet
＋
Price of booking a hotel separately
Set Booking
Shinkansen + hotel prices from services like Big Holiday
For trips with children, don't just look at the displayed adult price; compare by including:
・Child Shinkansen fares
・Ages for co-sleeping
・Child meal charges
・Bed usage conditions
・Cancellation fees
・Whether train changes are allowed
Make sure to include these in your comparison.
While set products are not always the cheapest, they are worth checking for overnight trips.
▶For cheap domestic travel bookings, visit [Big Holiday]
Change your booking method depending on whether it is a day trip or an overnight stay
Day Trips
For the Tokaido Shinkansen, first check Smart EX or Express Reservation.
For the Tohoku, Joetsu, or Hokuriku lines, check Ekinet's Tokudane fares.
For complex routes spanning multiple lines or if you want to arrange paper tickets without registering as a member, NAVITIME Travel is also an option.
Overnight Trips
Don't just decide based on Shinkansen early bird discounts; compare them with Shinkansen + hotel packages like Big Holiday.
Package deals may be cheaper than booking transportation with an early bird discount and booking a hotel separately.
How to Choose Based on Destination from Tokyo
Going to Atami, Nagoya, Kyoto, or Shin-Osaka several times a year
First, check Smart EX, which has no annual fee.
If your travel dates are set, look for available EX early bird discounts.
Frequently using the Tokaido Shinkansen
Record the price difference between Smart EX and Express Reservation, and if the annual difference exceeds the 1,100 yen annual fee, consider Express Reservation.
Going to Sendai, Niigata, or Nagano
Check Ekinet to see if there are any remaining trains eligible for the Tokudane discount.
Want to book Shinkansen and conventional line limited express trains together
Include NAVITIME Travel as an option.
However, compare the final payment amount, including handling fees and shipping costs, with official JR services.
Taking a trip with an overnight stay via Shinkansen
Compare Shinkansen + hotel packages like Big Holiday with booking transportation and hotels separately.
Plans are easily changed due to a child's health
Compare not only the cheapest early bird discounts but also regular products that are easier to change.
Sometimes it is better to prioritize the peace of mind of being able to make changes over saving a few hundred yen.
TOKYO Mama Plus Recommendations
For families who take family trips from Tokyo to places like Atami, Nagoya, Kyoto, or Shin-Osaka several times a year, it is easiest to search in the following order.
1. Check regular products and EX Hayatoku on Smart EX
2. Compare with Shinkansen + hotel packages if staying overnight
3. Check the conditions for changing plans or missing your train
4. Decide if your child needs a seat
5. Calculate the total cost including local lines
If you start using the Tokaido Shinkansen frequently, calculate whether you can recover the annual membership fee for Express Reservation.
If you are going to Sendai, Niigata, or Nagano, check Ekinet instead of Smart EX.
Summary | Choose based on your destination and purpose rather than just "which is cheapest"
Smart EX, Express Reservation, and Ekinet are not all services for booking the same Shinkansen lines.
Smart EX
・No annual fee
・Covers Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen
・Easy to use for family trips a few times a year
・Can use EX Hayatoku
Express Reservation
・Annual service fee is generally 1,100 yen
・Covers Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen
・Offers member pricing throughout the year
・For frequent users
Ekinet
・No annual fee
・Covers Tohoku, Hokkaido, Joetsu, Hokuriku Shinkansen, etc.
・Can use Tokudane
・Strong for travel in the JR East area
NAVITIME Travel
・Can search for Shinkansen and limited express trains nationwide
・Can book without member registration
・Convenient for those who want to arrange paper tickets
・Need to check the total cost including handling fees
Big Holiday
・Can book Shinkansen and hotels together
・Suitable for overnight trips
・Need to compare individual bookings with package prices
For family trips from Tokyo, check your destination, frequency of use, whether you are staying overnight, and the possibility of changing plans to choose the booking method that suits you best.
The key to not having regrets on a family trip is to choose based not only on the lowest price but also on your child's physical condition and the burden of travel.
Related Articles
▶ I went to Atami Fuua | Can you enjoy it as a day trip from Tokyo? An honest review of prices, what to bring, and crowds [In preparation]
▶ At what age do children start paying for Shinkansen fares? [In preparation]
▶ Which seats are recommended for Shinkansen travel with children? [In preparation]
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