Shinkansen smartEX App

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.

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 The UI is completely horrible and severely outdated, it constantly blocks your account depending on what specific credit card you use, it locks your account very randomly and constantly logs you out within a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.

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.