How early do you have to be to get on the bullet train in Japan?

The time you need to arrive at the Shinkansen station varies depending on whether you're boarding at the starting station or at a station along the route. For starting stations like Tokyo, Nagoya, Shin-Osaka, and Hakata, some trains allow passengers to board 15 to 20 minutes before departure.



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How early should I arrive at the station to catch a train in Japan? We advise arriving at least half an hour earlier, although it's better to get to the station about 45 minutes before your train departs if you've never been there before.

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The trip from Tokyo to Kyoto on the fastest train in Japan takes only about 2 hours. How often do bullet trains run from Tokyo to Kyoto? Nozomi bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto has 31 departure per day every 30 minutes starting from 6:00 am.

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Advice for touring Japan by train Take an extra layer to keep warm on the train. The air conditioning makes the cabins much cooler than the outside temperature. Take snacks on board can be a little limited, I'd suggest buying some in the station beforehand.

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You can make reservations right up to train departures, although during national holidays such as Golden Week, Obon or New Year, 3-4 days in advance is necessary. If you are in a large party and want to sit together, I recommend reserving seats for your journeys at the beginning of your stay.

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I'm using JR pass and reserved seats, what if I were to miss the train, can I change to the next train on the spot? Hi there, If you miss a train you have a reserved seat for, then you are allowed to board the next train and take a non-reserved seat. If the availability allows it, then you may get a new reserved seat.

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As a final note, bullet trains do not usually have this kind of intense traffic, but the time before and after the New Year holiday is very, very busy! At that period it is better to do a seat reservation after activating your Japan Rail Pass.

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Shinkansen do not run 24 hours a day. Shinkansen generally run from 5a. m. to Midnight.

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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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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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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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Each person will need their own JR Pass.

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For a limited time only, you can buy a Japan Rail Pass from certain train stations and airports in Japan. Travelers should be aware it is more expensive to buy a JR Pass in Japan than to purchase the pass online.

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Yes, especially for weekend travel and during peak seasons, Shinkansen services can be fully booked. In this case, it may be possible to ride with a non-reserved seat ticket, if you are willing to stand for the entire journey! We don't sell these, so please purchase at the station if you don't want a reserved seat.

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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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We will refund in full with no fees charged. The train you boarded was delayed by 2 hours or more; or alternatively the train operation was suspended at an intermediate station. ? The train was at least 2 hours late arriving at its destination. We will refund the specified amount for each boarding section reserved.

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