Can you smoke on Shinkansen?

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



No, as of March 16, 2024, smoking is completely banned on all Shinkansen trains, including the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu lines. Previously, some trains featured small, ventilated smoking rooms between cars, but these have been decommissioned and repurposed to hold emergency drinking water or "business booths." This change was made to promote public health and align with Japan's increasing health-consciousness. In 2026, travelers who need to smoke must use the designated smoking rooms located on the station platforms or concourses before boarding. Smoking in your seat or in the restrooms will result in immediate removal from the train and a fine, as sensors are highly sensitive and announcements in multiple languages remind passengers of the ban.

People Also Ask

Smoking rooms are available and located in ordinary cars #3 (Hakata side) and #15 (Hakata side), and in Green Car #10 (Tokyo side). Electric outlets for mobile devices are located at every seat. Seats widths of 12ABDE and 13ABDE in car #11 are slightly narrow. Train configuration may be altered without notice.

MORE DETAILS

Hazardous materials, sharp objects*1, furnaces / stoves, animals*2, deceased biological material, unclean objects, objects that emit offensive odors, items that may hurt other customers, and objects that may damage the train are not allowed on board. *1: Sharp objects packed as to not hurt other customers are allowed.

MORE DETAILS

Entering the Country: Japan Customs Procedures Up to three bottles (760ml per bottle) of alcoholic beverages are allowed to be brought into the country duty-free, up to 400 cigarettes and up to two ounces of perfume are allowed.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

When riding the Shinkansen or on a long train ride in a green car (reserved seating) you are allowed to eat and drink. The seats actually have tables and cup holders. There are also food, drinks, and snacks being sold in these train cars. But on commuter trains, avoid eating.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Does Amtrak allow smoking in the train? No. Auto Train MIGHT still have a smoking car, it did at one time, but all other Amtrak trains are non smoking. Long distance trains make longer stops from time to time that can be used for smoke breaks.

MORE DETAILS

The ATC system prevents high-speed passenger train-on-train collisions and excessive speeds. The advanced ATC system exercises complete control over the entire dedicated track and every operating train, preventing train-on-train collisions and excessive speed.

MORE DETAILS

We appreciate your cooperation. You may bring up to 2 baggage items with a total length, width, and height of up to 250 cm (up to 2 meters in length) and a weight of up to 30 kg. However, please reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area or oversized baggage compartment when carrying on oversized baggage.

MORE DETAILS

In Japan, the high-speed Shinkansen trains spray water onto snowy tracks to prevent the snow from blowing up into the undercarriage and re-freezing. In all areas with extreme winter conditions, de-icing, like in the airline industry, is essential.

MORE DETAILS

Some trains do not have non-reserved seats (all seats are reserved). There are no Green Cars on most “HIKARI” and “KODAMA” trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line (Shin-Osaka—Hakata), or on Series 800 trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line.

MORE DETAILS

Prohibited Articles
  • Heroin, cocaine, MDMA, opium, cannabis, stimulants, psychotropic substances, and other narcotic drugs (excluding those designated by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Ordinance);
  • Firearms (pistols, etc.), ammunition (bullets) thereof, and pistol parts;
  • Explosives (dynamite, gunpowder, etc.) ;


MORE DETAILS