[fomine3]

Shinkansen is comfortable than airline, no annoying inspection, almost no wait, and utilization is high enough. So technically it should be priced higher than airline, but I also feel it's weird that high CO2 emission airline is cheaper than lower emission train.

[thematrixturtle]

For whatever reason (probably just inertia), JR has been highly resistant to adopt dynamic pricing, so Shinkansen tickets costs the same regardless of whether you travel at absolute peak or when the trains are rattlingly empty. This is starting to crumble at the edges a little bit, and I expect advance-purchase fares to plunge if they ever do make the leap.

[fomine3]

Yes it's one of the reason to choose airplane for individuals. Govt's regulation for train is an another reason why dynamic pricing aren't done well but it's changing. Currently train+hotel Dynamic Package is available as a cheaper option, but it's not for single day use.

[aikinai]

If you reserve tickets online ahead of time, you can almost always get the 30% discount now. Maybe what's what you mean by crumbling at the edges.

[thematrixturtle]

Oh, neat, I recall a trial of that but didn't realize it was rolled out permanently. And apparently you can even book tickets online without jumping through insane hoops! Huzzah!