JR East and JR Hokkaido will begin selling a special discount ticket on “Ekinet” that offers a 50% discount on Shinkansen and limited-express trains in the Tohoku, Hokkaido, Joetsu, Hokuriku, Akita, and Yamagata regions, available only on weekdays.
Eligible products are the “Shinkansen e-Ticket (Tokudane Special 28)” and the “Conventional Line Ticketless Limited Express Ticket (Tokuwari Special 28).” and “Limited Express Tokudane Special 28” in standard-class reserved seats. The travel period covers weekdays from October 14 to 27 and December 7 to 17. The discount applies to tickets purchased in advance between 10:00 a.m. one month prior to the travel date and 11:50 p.m. 28 days prior to the travel date.
As an example of Shinkansen e-ticket prices, a one-way ticket for one adult on the “Hayabusa” between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto costs 24,000 yen during the regular season, but only 11,190 yen with the “Tokudane Special 28” discount. For the “Komachi” between Tokyo and Akita, the regular one-way fare for one adult is 18,260 yen, but with the “Tokudane Special 28,” it is 9,120 yen.
In addition, “Shinkansen e-Tickets (JRE POINT Benefits)”—which allow you to redeem your accumulated JRE POINTS for great value—are being sold at a special rate of 35% off the regular price on all JR East Shinkansen lines. The promotion applies to travel from September 25 to October 9 and from January 18 to 31, 2027.
This offer is available for purchase from 10:00 a.m. one month prior to the travel date until 4 minutes before the departure time on the day of travel (as listed in the timetable), provided the purchase is made at 11:24 p.m. It is valid for reserved seats in Standard Class, reserved seats in Green Car, and GranClass (without beverages or light meals).
For example, a reserved seat in the Green Car on the “Hayabusa” between Sendai and Tokyo (regular one-way fare for adults: 15,090 yen) can normally be redeemed for 13,500 points, but under the special rate, it can be redeemed for 8,500 points.
© Source travel watch