Is it OK to eat on Shinkansen?

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.



Yes, eating and drinking on the Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) is not only "OK" but is a highly encouraged and celebrated part of the travel culture. Most major stations sell "Ekiben" (station bento boxes) specifically designed for the journey, often featuring local delicacies from that region. Trains are equipped with spacious tray tables and seat-back pockets to accommodate your meal. In 2026, it is polite to avoid foods with extremely strong odors (like heavy garlic or pungent seafood) and to ensure you dispose of all your trash in the bins located at the end of each car. While eating is normal on long-distance trains like the Shinkansen or Limited Express, you should strictly avoid eating on local commuter trains or metros, where it is considered rude and disruptive to other passengers.

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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.

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You may bring your own food and beverages onboard for consumption at your seat or private Sleeping Car accommodations. However, you can only consume food and beverages purchased in Dining and Lounge Cars in those cars. Personal food and beverages are allowed in the upper level of Superliner Sightseer Lounges.

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The Shinkansen operates 365 days a year, and 800 kg to 1 ton of garbage are collected every day. At the end of a day, staff will spray 30 fold diluted Activated EM-1 on the floor, belt conveyer and compressed pet bottles and cans. “We have been using EM for many year so we got used to it not being smelly here.

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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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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.

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Using mobile phones on trains Never talk on your phone while on the train, unless using the designated phone area of the shinkansen. Silence and use headphones so that your media cannot be heard by others. Finally, turn your phone off if sitting near the priority seating area.

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Even when the unreserved seats on the Shinkansen are full, you are allowed to stand in the aisles and on the decks in front and behind them. Some types of Shinkansen trains are all reserved seats, but you are still allowed to stand on the deck.

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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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WiFi access is now available on most trains on every Shinkansen line. Additionally, all major stations and many smaller stations also have free WiFi available to passengers. All trains on the following lines have free WiFi available: Tokaido shinkansen.

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Walking and eating in Japan Japanese tend not to eat while walking along or standing around on the street. However, it is acceptable to drink while standing aside a vending machine. Eating and drinking on local trains, but not long distance express trains, is also frowned upon.

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There's more than enough legroom, and reclining the seat won't bother the person behind you. You can stand up and walk around to stretch your legs, or just to get a better view out one of the windows. The Tokyo-Kyoto Route hugs the sea, and the other side of the train gets a spectacular view of Mount Fuji.

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A gradually decreasing number of shinkansen trains are served by small food carts with a selection of snacks, drinks and boxed meals (bento) which periodically pass along the aisle. Free Wi-Fi is available on board of all shinkansen except on some older train sets in eastern Japan.

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The train's tilting mechanism to lean into curves at high speed and the high-quality airtight body minimize vibration and provide a smooth, quiet ride.

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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.

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? Shinkansen (Bullet Trains) Most window seats (A and E) will have charging outlets, as will some seats in the front and last rows of each carriage. Newer Shinkansen will have outlets available in all seats, so it just depends on the train you get!

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