New Shinkansen Discounts Powered by the My Number Card
JR Central, JR West and JR Kyushu will launch a new set of discount products on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines that make use of information from Japan’s My Number Card. Sales begin on September 15, 2026, and the tickets can be used from October 1, 2026.
The line-up includes the “EX Physical Disability Discount” and “EX Intellectual Disability Discount” for holders of disability certificates and their carers, the “EX U22 Discount” for younger travellers, and the “EX 65+ Discount” for seniors. All of them are ticketless products, meaning that discounts which previously required a visit to a station counter can now be handled entirely on a smartphone.
EX Physical Disability Discount / EX Intellectual Disability Discount
Who is eligible
These products are available to holders of a physical disability certificate (shintai shogaisha techo) or a rehabilitation certificate (ryoiku techo), together with their carers. The discount rate is equivalent to the disability discount tickets sold at station counters, but delivered as a ticketless product, removing the need to queue at a ticket window.
Sample fares
- Tokyo – Shin-Osaka: 10,060 yen
- Shin-Osaka – Kumamoto: 14,470 yen
Mental health certificate support coming in spring 2027
The three companies plan to release a discount product based on mental health disability certificate information in spring 2027. By expanding eligibility in stages, a wider range of travellers will be able to use ticketless discounted fares.
EX U22 Discount and EX 65+ Discount
Age requirements and conditions
The EX U22 Discount is for travellers aged 18 to 22 on the day of travel, while the EX 65+ Discount is for travellers aged 65 or over on the day of travel. Both come with a limited number of seats, so allocations may sell out early during peak seasons and popular time slots. Booking as soon as your plans are confirmed is recommended.
Sample fares
- Tokyo – Shin-Osaka: 12,930 yen
- Shin-Osaka – Kumamoto: 18,000 yen
Valid period
The EX U22 and EX 65+ Discounts can be used until March 31, 2027. As these are limited-period products running to the end of the fiscal year, eligible travellers should keep the deadline in mind.
Registration in the EX app is required
For all of these products, purchase requires registering information obtained from the My Number Card or the Mynaportal service to your EX member profile within the EX app. Eligibility details such as certificate status and date of birth are verified online using official data, which removes the need to present documents at a counter.
Before making a reservation, travellers should therefore prepare their My Number Card, link it with Mynaportal and complete EX membership registration. Registration traffic may be heavy right after sales open, so allow plenty of time.
Key dates at a glance
- Sales start: September 15, 2026
- Travel valid from: October 1, 2026
- EX U22 / EX 65+ valid until: March 31, 2027
- Mental health certificate-based product: planned for spring 2027
Things to keep in mind
The discounts cover the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, and are most valuable on long-distance journeys from Tokyo toward Shin-Osaka, Hakata, Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo. The sample fares for major sections such as Tokyo–Shin-Osaka and Shin-Osaka–Kumamoto come in below standard pricing, making them useful for holiday travel, family visits and relocation for study or work.
Note, however, that the EX U22 and EX 65+ Discounts have limited seat allocations and are not guaranteed on every train or at every time of day. For full sales conditions, eligible trains and rules on changes and refunds, check the latest information in the EX app and on each company’s official website.
Reference: https://www.traicy.com/posts/20260806378230/