Do I need to reserve seats on Shinkansen?

There are no crowds on the intercity Shinkansen trains so free seats tend to be available. However, it is recommended to book a seat before boarding any train during the following peak seasons: April 27 to May 6. August 11-20.



Whether you must reserve a seat on the Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) depends on the specific train and the time of year. For the Nozomi trains during peak travel seasons (like Golden Week or New Year's), all seats are reserved, and you cannot board without a specific seat assignment. For other trains like the Hikari, Kodama, or Sakura, there are usually several "Non-Reserved" cars where you can simply walk on and take any open seat. However, in 2026, it is highly recommended to reserve, especially if you have large luggage; since 2020, passengers with bags over 160cm (total dimensions) are required to book a "Seat with Oversized Luggage Area" in advance or face a fine. Reservations are free for Japan Rail Pass holders and can be made at any "Midori-no-madoguchi" (ticket office) or via automated machines. If you are traveling during a weekday commute or a major holiday, a reservation is the only way to ensure you aren't standing in the vestibule for a three-hour journey.

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There are no crowds on the intercity Shinkansen trains so free seats tend to be available. However, it is recommended to book a seat before boarding any train during the following peak seasons: April 27 to May 6. August 11-20.

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In most circumstances, you must purchase a ticket before you board a train. Most trains require reservations and you should not board reserved trains without a reservation. Passengers who do so are not guaranteed a seat and may be instructed to get off the train at the next station stop.

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Skipping seat selection doesn't mean you won't get a seat on the flight. You might get stuck in the middle seat if you don't pay for one. Even if seat selection is free, you might want to skip it if only lousy seats are available (see the upgrade hack” below).

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Just say “no.” Within 24 hours of your departure, the airline will assign you a seat. Pro tip: If you want to avoid paying for a seat assignment, arrive at the airport early. That way, you'll have the pick of the unassigned seats.

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Book in advance Train tickets for high-speed trains usually go on sale around 6 months before the date of travel. Book in advance to make sure you get the cheapest options as these tend to sell out, leaving only the more expensive tickets.

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Therefore, if you are planning on taking a seat at a Non – Reserved seat, you should line up at Car 2, on the closer side to Car 3, because that way you will have a high chance at getting a seat in Car 3 and even if you couldn't, you can always go to Car 3 and maybe there find an open seat.

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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.

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You must order at least 3 days in advance before the day of travel. I would advise you to book your shinkansen tickets as far in advance as you can, during peak season like Christmas and New Year, cherry blossom season (April) and fall foliage season (November). It gets extremely busy and trains are often fully booked.

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Some trains might have a stop as brief as 1 minute, while others might stop 5 to 10 minutes due to waiting for other Shinkansen to pass. Regardless, arriving at the platform about 15 minutes before the departure time provides ample mental and physical preparation.

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In fact, most regular airlines now charge for seat selection anyways. It's often around $10-$30 per seat per flight segment, so if you cave in and pay for that, it can add up quickly. You shouldn't do it. No matter which airline you're flying on, don't ever pay to select a seat.

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For all fare classes, except Basic Economy, you will be able to pick your seat or change your seat assignment. If you have a Basic Economy ticket, you're able to purchase a seat assignment during booking and up until check-in opens.

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These are normally on the side of the windows. If a whole carriage is reserved, there is a paper stating again the route on the door to the train. Some times you will see a paper stating express reservation. This means that the seats might or might nt be reserved, they are made available for last minute reservations.

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