Know before you book

Shinkansen tickets, step by step

1. 1

   How your fare works

   Every Shinkansen fare has two parts:

   • Basic Fare Ticket (Joshaken)
     Covers the physical distance travelled on the rail network.
   • Super Express Supplement
     Covers the high-speed Shinkansen service.

   Enlarge
2. 2

   Choose your seat class

   • 
     Non-Reserved (Jiyuseki)
     General unreserved cars with 2+3 seats per row. First-come, first-served; valid on any train on that route on the specified date.

     How to spot this car

     Zoom sign

     Look for the "自由席" sign on the car board beside the door.

   • 
     Reserved (Shiteiseki)
     A guaranteed, assigned seat in standard 2+3 seating.

     How to spot this car

     Zoom sign

     Look for "Reserved" on the car board and your car number beside the door.

   • 
     Green Car (First Class)
     Premium, spacious 2+2 seating with wider recline, legrests and quieter cabins.

     How to spot this car

     Zoom sign

     Look for the green clover mark and "GREEN CAR" beside the door.

   • 
     Gran Class
     On selected JR East / Hokuriku lines. Ultra-luxury 2+1 seating, like airline first class, with attendant service and meal options.

     How to spot this car

     Zoom sign

     Look for the gold "GranClass" emblem beside the door.

3. 3

   Check your luggage size

   Size = length + width + height. Applies especially on the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Nishi-Kyushu lines (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka).

   • Up to 160 cm
     No reservation needed. Overhead rack or at your feet.
   • 161 – 250 cm
     Oversized baggage — reservation required, at no extra cost (same price as a reserved seat). Without it, staff move your bag and charge ¥1,000 on board.
   • Over 250 cm / over 30 kg
     Not permitted on the train under any circumstances.

   Where your luggage goes on board

   • 
     Overhead rack
     Bags up to 160 cm fit on the rack above your seat.
   • 
     Behind the last row
     Oversized bags (161–250 cm) go here — book the "oversized baggage seat".
   • 
     Luggage area
     Some trains have a lockable luggage area at the end of the car.

   Maximum 2 pieces per passenger, each no more than 30 kg.

4. 4

   Plan luggage for your group

   Each car has only 5 "seats with oversized baggage area" (last row). A group of 20 with large suitcases will not fit their bags in one car.

   Recommended for groups:

   • Luggage forwarding (Takuhaibin) — ship large suitcases hotel to hotel ahead of time with Yamato Transport / Hands-Free Travel. The standard method for tour groups in Japan.
   • Travel with medium / carry-on suitcases under 160 cm that fit the overhead racks.
5. 5

   Special assistance & group services

   • Wheelchair assistance — Designated wheelchair spaces and accessible restrooms. Seats can be reserved via JR-East Reservation, SmartEX or any JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-Madoguchi). Staff provide ramps and escort from gate to seat and at arrival — notify station staff 15–30 minutes before boarding.
   • Group boarding (8+ passengers) — Everyone enters together through the manned gate behind the group leader with one physical master group ticket. Staff often help move the group onto the platform during tight turnarounds.
   • Multi-purpose room (Tamoto-shitsu) — A private room on most trains. Priority for passengers with disabilities; also available on request via the conductor for nursing mothers, medical needs or anyone feeling unwell.
6. 6

   Send your group enquiry

   We book your group tickets and deliver the physical tickets to you in Japan.

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