Many people use their mobile phones while on the train. However, you should be cognizant that your phone use does not disturb others. Never talk on your phone while on the train, unless using the designated phone area of the shinkansen. Silence and use headphones so that your media cannot be heard by others.

In 2026, talking on the phone while seated in a Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) cabin is strictly considered bad manners and is prohibited by the train operators. Japan's "omotenashi" (hospitality) culture places a high value on maintaining a quiet, respectful environment for all passengers. To take or make a call, you must move to the decks between the cars, where you can speak privately without disturbing others. Before you even board, it is standard etiquette to set your phone to "silent mode" (known as "manner mode" in Japan) and to keep the volume of your headphones low to avoid "sound leakage." If you absolutely must answer a call while in your seat, it should be a brief "I'll call you back" in a hushed tone before heading to the deck. While the Shinkansen offers a high-speed, high-tech experience, respecting these social silences is part of the "unwritten rules" that make Japanese rail travel so incredibly peaceful and efficient for millions of daily passengers.