How do I choose Shinkansen seats?

Seats can be reserved free of charge at station Midori no Mado Guchi ticket offices, recognisable by the green sign (see photo), or at Travel Service Centres and JR-associated Travel Agencies. Reservations cannot be made in English for most routes outside Japan, but you can reserve JR East trains here!



Choosing seats on the Japanese Shinkansen (bullet train) involves deciding between "Reserved" (Hiteiseki) and "Non-Reserved" (Jiyuseki) cars. If you want a guaranteed seat, especially during peak seasons like Golden Week or New Year, you should book a reserved seat through the JR East/West websites, the SmartEX app, or at a "Midori no Madoguchi" ticket office. For the best views of Mount Fuji when traveling from Tokyo toward Osaka/Kyoto, you must request a seat on the "D" or "E" side (the right side of the train). If you are traveling with oversized luggage (total dimensions over 160cm), you are now required by law to book specific "seats with oversized luggage space" located at the back of certain cars; failure to do so can result in a fine. For a more luxurious experience, you can choose the Green Car (First Class) or the Gran Class (Ultra-Luxury), which offer wider seats, more legroom, and a quieter atmosphere. Most modern stations have multilingual kiosks that allow you to see a map of the car and pick your exact seat location.

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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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All seats on shinkansen trains can be turned by 180 degrees, allowing travelers to always face forward. The seats are turned by the staff at the terminal stations, but can also be turned by passengers, for example, to create a group of four or six seats facing each other.

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With this popularity, reserving seats on the Shinkansen ahead of time is a common practice. This is especially recommended during peak travel times, such as Spring, Fall, and New Years, and not just for bullet trains, but for some Express Trains as well.

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If you miss your stop on the Shinkansen in Japan, you have a few options: You can ask the conductor to let you off at the next station. The conductor may be able to do this if there are seats available, but they are not obligated to do so.

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The difference between Shinkansen First Class and Second Class is not as big as one would expect but still is rather tangible. If some people can find the elbowroom in ordinary cars a bit tight, Green Cars provide more than enough for anyone to feel comfortable. The seats arranged 2+2 and boast a bit cozier headrests.

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Note that for the Shinkansen, you need a “super (limited) express” ticket in addition to the basic fare ticket for that route (we sell these as a set). Do Shinkansen tickets sell out? Yes, especially for weekend travel and during peak seasons, Shinkansen services can be fully booked.

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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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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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You are still allowed to carry on two pieces of baggage weighing 30 kg or less and with total dimensions of 250 cm or less and a maximum length of 200 cm. However, you need to reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area or a seat with an oversized baggage compartment if you intend to travel with oversized baggage.

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Ordinary seats usually come in 3x2 seating arrangements and have Reserved vs. non-reserved sections in separate train cars. Ordinary seats are more affordable than the gree-car seats, however, it also means that the reservations of the seats are not promised by the purchase of the tickets.

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Another step up from the Shinkansen Green Cars is that of the Gran Class Cars, the ultimate means of luxury within the train system. On the Gran Class Cars, there are even further amenities added to those of the Green Cars, with even further reclining and luxurious seats and even more leg space.

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When boarding the Shinkansen, the following regulations apply: You may bring up to two pieces of baggage on board free of charge. For each bag the total of the length, width and height must not exceed 250 centimetres, the length must not exceed two meters and the weight must be no more than 30 kilograms.

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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.

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All Shinkansen trains are covered by the JR Pass. The Nozomi and Mizuho high-speed trains (Tokaido and Sanyo lines) are also included, subject to purchase of a special complementary ticket. JR Pass holders wishing to travel free on these lines can board local and semi-fast trains.

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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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Especially when visiting large cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, you will want to avoid traveling during rush hour. Throughout Japan, rush hour typically lasts from 7 AM to 9 AM each morning, and 5 PM to 7 PM each evening.

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