Oops! Japan #46 — Refund Isn’t Automatic Don’t Expect Your Train Refund to Happen Instantly

 Oops! Japan #46 — Refund Isn’t Automatic


Don’t Expect Your Train Refund to Happen Instantly


Imagine this: you cancel a Shinkansen ticket via SmartEX and expect the refund to show up right away. But days pass… and still, nothing? You’re not alone.


Several travelers on Reddit have shared a surprising reality:


“I canceled my ticket 3 days ago, but the refund still isn’t there.”

“Be careful — even after cancellation, it can take over a week to get the money back.”


Why the Delay?


SmartEX and other Japanese ticketing services don’t always process refunds instantly.

• Credit card transactions can take 5–10 business days.

• Some cancellations require manual confirmation.

• Holidays or weekends can slow things down.


What You Can Do

• Keep your cancellation email as proof.

• Check your card statement regularly — it may show up as a reversal rather than a new deposit.

• Be patient — if it’s been over 2 weeks, contact customer support.


This kind of delay is normal in Japan’s train ticket systems. It’s not a scam — but it does take time.


🧠 Pro Tip: If you’re canceling close to the departure date, fees may apply. Always check the fine print!

コメント

コメントを投稿

このブログの人気の投稿

Oops! Japan #28 — You’ll Regret Skipping Rest Days （休養日なしは後悔のもと）Why Even Magical Japan Can Wear You Down

イメージ
  Oops! Japan #28 — You’ll Regret Skipping Rest Days （休養日なしは後悔のもと）Why Even Magical Japan Can Wear You Down English: Just came back from a 9-day Japan trip and feeling… wrecked? You’re not alone. One Reddit traveler shared how they packed their itinerary wall-to-wall with sights, food, and shopping — but forgot one thing: A day to do nothing. “I didn’t plan any rest day. I just kept going around and now I’m exhausted. Legs sore, eyes half-closed. I had to spend two days back home hibernating.” Even others chimed in: “I’d extend this to any trip longer than 7 days. Japan is magical — but physically draining.” “Next time, I’ll book a day at an onsen town or just sleep in and stroll slowly.” What counts as a rest day? Not sitting in a café between activities. A true rest day means: No sightseeing No strict plans Maybe a nice hot bath or a nap Staying in the hotel or exploring slowly around your base area Where to rest? Try a sento or onsen — even city ones like in Osaka Book a hotel ...
続きを読む

Oops! Japan #39 — Ghibli Dreams, Real-World Confusion （ジブリパークの落とし穴：予約ミス・迷子・買い逃し）

イメージ
  Oops! Japan #39 — Ghibli Dreams, Real-World Confusion （ジブリパークの落とし穴：予約ミス・迷子・買い逃し） Visiting the Ghibli Park sounds like a dream — magical settings, exclusive merch, and your favorite characters all in one place. But for some travelers, the dream didn’t go quite as planned. Oops 1: Bought the Wrong Ticket! One visitor realized too late that their “Ghibli Museum” ticket didn’t get them into “Ghibli Park.” Two different places. Different cities. → Always double-check what you’re booking — and where. Oops 2: Missed That Limited Ghibli Merch “There were some cute plushies and Proco Rosso goods at the Tokyo Station store. But I didn’t buy them, thinking I’d see them again later. I never did.” → In Japan, limited items may be truly limited. Don’t expect stock to be the same at every store. Oops 3: Got Lost in the Magic (Literally) Ghibli Park is beautiful — but surprisingly confusing to navigate. Some areas lack English signs or clear paths. → Don’t count on Google Maps indoors. Download ...
続きを読む

Oops! Japan #13 — Soak It Up, Sweat It Out 銭湯とサウナの入り方

イメージ
  Oops! Japan #13 — Soak It Up, Sweat It Out 銭湯とサウナの入り方 A sento (public bath) is a must-try experience in Japan. But come prepared. Bring a towel, a water bottle (for sauna recovery), and be ready to follow the etiquette: wash first, rinse completely, then soak. Tattoos might still raise eyebrows in some places. 🌸 Bonus: many baths also offer herbal or seasonal experiences. 🗾 日本語の補足： 銭湯やサウナでは、マナーと準備が大事です。タオルと水分、そして予習してから入りましょう。タトゥーのある方は事前に確認を。 Next up: Oops! Japan #14 — Offline But Not Lost（通信量とスマホの知恵）
続きを読む