Do you 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.



In 2026, whether you need a reservation depends on the specific line and your luggage size. Most Shinkansen trains offer both Reserved (Shiteiseki) and Non-Reserved (Jiyu-seki) cars. However, a major rule for 2026 is the Oversized Baggage Requirement on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu lines. If the sum of your bag's dimensions is between 160 cm and 250 cm, you must reserve a "Seat with an Oversized Baggage Area" in advance. Failure to do so results in a 1,000 yen penalty and the conductor moving your bag. During peak travel periods like Golden Week, Obon, or New Year, nearly all trains become "Reserved Only," and getting a seat without a prior booking is virtually impossible. For a stress-free trip, especially on the popular Tokyo-to-Osaka route, booking a few days ahead via the Smart-EX app or at a ticket office is highly recommended to guarantee comfort.

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Even the Shinkansen (bullet trains) are equipped with several non-reserved seats cars that you can ride with your JR Pass, without booking ticket. However, it is recommended to book a seat in the Shinkansen when traveling during Japan's national holiday's periods.

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3. Booking Shinkansen tickets at the JR Station ticket machine. You may also choose to book your tickets directly while you're at the JR Station. All you have to do is find the ticket machines, which come with an English language option.

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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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How much luggage can I bring onto the shinkansen? Each passenger is allowed to bring on two pieces of oversized luggage each. Each of these pieces of luggage cannot exceed 250 cm in total dimensions as previously stated. Additionally, each piece of luggage cannot exceed 30 kg (66 lbs) in weight.

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Baggage with overall dimensions of less than 160 cm You can put baggage whose overall dimensions are less than 160 cm (the same size as the baggage that can be carried for free in airplane holds) * on the overhead baggage rack of the Shinkansen.

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Time of the day Shinkansen is generally more crowded in early morning and evening when people move to other cities after work and sightseeing.

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Throughout Japan, rush hour typically lasts from 7 AM to 9 AM each morning, and 5 PM to 7 PM each evening. These are the times when many residents and going and coming from secular employment. The morning rush hour tends to be a bit heavier than the evening rush hour.

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In the event of a suspension in services or a delay of 2 hours or more, we will refund the amounts determined below to the credit card used to make payment.

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Advance tickets can be an especially smart buy for popular high-speed trains (such as France's TGV trains and Italy's Le Frecce trains), which frequently sell out.

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