What if I told you there was a way to buy Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets for less than the official price?
Or get gift cards for major stores at a discount?
This isn’t a scam.
Welcome to the world of “Kinken Shops” (金券ショップ), one of the best-kept secrets of budget travel in Japan.
This guide will show you how to use these treasure troves to make your yen go further.
What is a Kinken Shop?
A Kinken Shop, or ticket shop, is a store that buys and sells unused tickets and gift certificates at a discount.
You can find them in most major cities, often clustered around large train stations like Shinjuku in Tokyo or Umeda in Osaka.
They thrive because Japanese companies often pay their employees with things like gift certificates or unused train tickets, which people then sell for quick cash.
What Can You Buy There?
The inventory varies by shop, but you can typically find a wide range of discounted items.
- Train Tickets: Their bestsellers are often single Shinkansen tickets, sold from a “kaisuuken” (回数券), which is a book of discounted tickets. You can save a few hundred to over a thousand yen per ticket.
- Gift Cards: Department store gift cards, credit card company gift certificates (like JCB or Visa), and Quo Cards (for convenience stores) are common.
- Stamps and Postcards: You can often buy postage stamps for slightly less than their face value.
- Shareholder Vouchers (株主優待券): This is a more advanced trick. Many Japanese companies give their shareholders vouchers for discounts on their services. For example, you can buy a voucher for an airline that gives you 50% off a domestic flight.
How to Use a Kinken Shop: A Step-by-Step Guide
Using a Kinken Shop is simple, even if you don’t speak much Japanese.
Step 1: Find a Shop
Search on Google Maps for “金券ショップ” or “ticket shop” near a major station.
Look for stores with bright, cluttered storefronts displaying tickets and numbers.
Famous chains include “Daikokuya” (大黒屋) and “Access Ticket” (アクセスチケット).
Step 2: Find What You Want
Most items are displayed behind glass.
For train tickets, look for your destination.
For example, “東京 (Tokyo) → 新大阪 (Shin-Osaka)”.
The price displayed will be the discounted price for one ticket.
If you’re unsure, you can show the staff a note with your destination written on it.
Step 3: Pay with Cash
Point to what you want and say how many you need (e.g., “ichi-mai” for one, “ni-mai” for two).
Almost all Kinken Shops are cash-only, so make sure you have enough yen on hand.
For tips on getting the best exchange rates, check out our guide to exchanging money in Japan.
Step 4: Use Your Ticket
For Shinkansen tickets, you can simply insert the ticket you bought directly into the ticket gate.
There’s no need to exchange it at the main ticket counter.
However, be aware that these tickets often cannot be used during peak travel periods like Golden Week, Obon, and New Year’s holidays.
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If you’re looking for another way to save on shopping, Japan’s “100-yen shops” are a must-visit.
They offer an incredible range of products, from snacks to stationery, all for an unbeatable price.
