Short answer
Usually, you need both tickets. A Shinkansen trip often has a Basic Fare Ticket plus a Limited Express Ticket. If you have two ordinary paper tickets for the same trip, stack them and put them into the Shinkansen gate together.
Passing through the ticket gate
- 1Check that the paper tickets belong together.
They should show the same travel date and a compatible route.
- 2Stack both tickets and insert them together.
JR Central calls this the “stack and insert” rule. Put both into the same slot at the same time.
- 3Take back anything the gate returns.
The tickets can still be needed for a transfer or to leave the final station. Keep every ticket until you have exited at your destination.
Why you got two tickets
One ticket covers the distance you travel; the other covers the Shinkansen or reserved-seat supplement. They are often printed separately, even when they belong to the same journey.
Two paper tickets
They usually belong together. Check that the date and route are compatible; one may name a wider city zone while the other names the Shinkansen stations.
One paper ticket
Some products combine both fares on one ticket. That can be normal—check that it matches your route, train and date.
If you’re using SmartEX
QR tickets and IC-card boarding use their own gate sequence. Follow the instructions in your reservation or on-screen; do not apply the paper-ticket rule to a QR ticket or IC card.
When to use the staffed gate
Show all the paper tickets, your QR code or IC card, and the reservation confirmation. It is quicker than trying random combinations at the machine.
FAQ
Did the machine accidentally give me a duplicate?
Usually no. The two pieces often represent different parts of the fare: the distance traveled and the Shinkansen or seat supplement.
Can I throw one away after entering the gate?
No. Keep every ticket returned by the gate until your whole journey is over. A ticket can remain valid for the next part of the trip.
What if the gate returns a small “Seat Information” slip?
Keep it if you used a QR ticket. It shows your journey and seat, but it is not a ticket to insert into a gate.
I am changing from a local JR train to the Shinkansen. What changes?
The correct sequence depends on whether you have conventional paper tickets, an IC card or a QR ticket. Follow the instructions for that exact combination, or use the staffed gate.
What if I only have one ticket?
That can be normal when the basic fare and Shinkansen fare are combined. Check the ticket details before assuming a ticket is missing.
Official sources
Check the source directly if your journey depends on a detail.
Checked against official Japanese sources · Last verified August 13, 2026