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Can you drink on shinkansen?

Yes. You can either buy food at a kiosk on the platform or from a takeaway in the station, or you can bring it from home. There are also carts with food and drink on the Shinkansen.



Yes, you are absolutely permitted to eat and drink, including consuming alcohol, while traveling on the Shinkansen (bullet train) in Japan. Unlike local commuter trains where eating is generally discouraged, the Shinkansen is designed for long-distance comfort, and having a meal or a drink is a central part of the experience. Many travelers pick up an "Ekiben" (station bento box) and a can of beer or sake at the station before boarding. On most Shinkansen lines, there are also carts that sell snacks and drinks, including alcoholic beverages like highballs and local brews. In 2026, the high-end Gran Class cars even include premium snacks and alcoholic drinks in the ticket price. The only social rule is to be mindful of your volume if you are drinking with a group and to ensure you take all your rubbish with you when you deplane.

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Yes, you can drink alcohol on many trains in Europe and the UK.

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Eating and drinking on Japanese trains You should eat on trains only when taking a long-distance train, such as the Shinkansen. These types of trains have a tray and cup holder at every seat, and snacks are sold from a vendor trolley. When taking this type of train, it is also acceptable to bring your own food.

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Be sure to grab some food for the journey, too. Japanese trains don't have restaurant or bar cars, only snack trolleys, and travellers tend to buy their meals at the train station before they depart.

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It is possible to sleep on a bullet train in Japan, but it may not be the most comfortable option for everyone. The bullet train, also known as the Shinkansen, travels at high speeds and the seats are designed to be comfortable for sitting, but may not be as comfortable for sleeping.

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Any journey on the Shinkansen – Japan's bullet train – is the perfect opportunity to enjoy an ekiben, the iconic bento filled with an assortment of delicacies tucked into a container and eaten in bite-size pieces. The term comes from the Japanese words for station (eki) combined with ben for bento (or “lunchbox”).

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Smoking has already been banned on most local trains in Japan, as well as on shinkansen operated by East Japan Railway and Hokkaido Railway.

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Smoking has already been banned on most local trains in Japan, as well as on shinkansen operated by East Japan Railway and Hokkaido Railway.

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Talking loudly on trains is considered bad mannered and ranks highly amongst the most annoying behaviors on trains in Japan. Don't talk on the phone. Only on long-distance trains on the decks between cars is talking on the phone acceptable. Set your phone to silent mode.

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