How to Take Shinkansen: Guide to Japan's Bullet Trains

Whether traveling from Tokyo to Kanazawa, or Hokkaido to Fukuoka, a Japan tour with the Shinkansen bullet train ride offers a convenient and cost-effective way to see the sights of Japan in a surprisingly short time. Here's your complete guide to taking Japan's Shinkansen, including information on the different types of carriages and seats, how to purchase tickets, the services and amenities available on board, and essential etiquette for riding the trains.

Map of Shinkansen Line

Linking almost the entire country, below is a map of the Shinkansen lines for easy travel around Japan.

Map of Shinkansen

Which Shinkansen Line to Take

Tokaido Shinkansen Line: A popular line that takes you from Tokyo to Osaka in 2.5 hours with the beautiful scenery of Mount Fuji, passing through the improving city of Kyoto, which could be one of the most enjoyable lines for you to travel through the center of Japan.

Sanyo Shinkansen Line: Start in Osaka, which also takes 2.5 hours to get to Fukuoka. You can use this line to continue your exploration of western Japan, especially the food tour, such as Osaka's takoyaki and the delicacy of Kobe beef.

Tohoku Shinkansen Line: A line running from central Tokyo to northern Japan, including Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region, and Aomori, the terminal station, could be one of the most convenient ways to get to the snowy world in winter.

Types of Shinkansen Classes & Seats

• Ordinary: similar to economy carriage with regular seats that all Shinkansen bullet trains have, usually come in rows of 3+2 seats, comfortable, clean, and with ample space for feet.
• Green Car: the business class offers wider, quieter, more comfortable seats and foot space. Comes in rows of 2+2 seats, but not all Shinkansen trains carry the Green Car carriage. (about 30% expensive than the ordinary)
• Gran Class: the first class in 2+1 seats, with more spacious seats and additional services like blankets, eye masks, food, and self-service beverages, yet available only to Tohoku, Hokuriku, Joetsu, and Hokkaido Shinkansen. (about 50% expensive than the ordinary)

Ordinary Carriage

Reserved & Non-Reserved Seat

You may also notice the reserved seats and non-reserved seats when choosing the ordinary class.

A reserved seat means your train and seat are fixed. When purchasing reserved seat tickets, apart from the seat preferences, such as whether you want seats next to the window or aisle, you also need to choose your departure time, class of carriage, etc.

While an unreserved seat is not associated with a specific train. It is on a first-come, first-served basis. You can select any empty non-reserved seat (if any) and any train to complete your ticket route. However, during peak periods, such as the end of the year and Golden Week, there may be no seats available.

• For the holiday and long journey: reserved seat (yet still book your tickets a few weeks in advance for your preference)
• For a quick, flexible, and shoulder season trip: non-reserved seat (but also prepare for the standing journey)

Note: Carriages 1 to 3 are usually non-reserved carriages with only non-reserved seats, but the carriage settings may vary somewhat from line to line, so please follow the information on your ticket to find your carriage.

Ticket of Reserved Seat

How to Reserve the Shinkansen Seat

For JR Pass users, you can take advantage of their official website to enjoy your seat reservation for free. For single tickets, the online service is also available at the SmartEX app.

For the offline situation, you can purchase your seat at the Ticketing Machines, or head straight to the Green Counter (Midori no Madoguchi, which you will find at most major JR stations), or JR Travel Service Center (at Narita Airport), and the staff there will make your reservation - according to your travel zone, date and time, number of passengers, whether you want reserved seats or non-reserved seats, whether you want a carriage allowing smoking, and whether you want seats next to the window or aisle.

What is JR Pass & is It Worthy

The Japan Rail Pass is an unlimited rides ticket that can be used on most Shinkansen bullet trains (apart from Nozomi and Mizuho), valid for 7, 14, or 21 days.

It is now best for long-distance but short-term visitors to travel around several major cities. For example, journey through Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, and Nagoya in 7 or 14 days. Though the new prices from 2023 may not be that friendly to single ticket travelers, Shinkansen trains are still the best option for your convenient Japan tour.

After purchasing online, the merchant will send you a Japan Rail Pass voucher (you need to make a physical copy of it). Upon arrival in Japan, you can exchange your physical Japan Rail Pass voucher for an actual Japan Rail Pass at any of the JR Exchange Offices.

How to Take Shinkansen Bullet Trains

Prepare Your Tickets or Code for the Regular Ticket Gate

After purchasing, print your tickets (base fare ticket and supplement ticket) at the vending machines (or skip it if you have your QR code). Then prepare your base fare ticket or code to pass through the Regular Ticket Gate first, yet don't forget to retrieve your ticket from the other side of the ticket slot.

Station of Shinkansen

Find out Which Platform Shinkansen Departs From

According to the station, the Shinkansen platform may be closed to or separate from the regular train platform. Leave some time to follow the signal to find out which platform the Shinkansen bullet train departs from.

Pass the Shinkansen Ticket Gate

Insert both your base fare ticket and Shinkansen supplement ticket at the Shinkansen ticket gate at the same time, yet still remember to retrieve them. Or, use your code instead.

Make Your Way to Your Platform, Car, and Seat

Check the train number, departure time on your ticket, and confirm the platform of your Shinkansen bullet train on the electronic board and wait there. Board the train and follow the signal to your car and seat. A staff member will check your ticket after you have been on the train.

The Shinkansen bullet train stops at each station for only a short period of time, so when the radio announces that you will soon arrive at your destination station, please pack your bags and get ready to get off the train, and then go out of the station through the ticket gate with your ticket.

Services and Amenities on Shinkansen Bullet Trains

Luggage

• If the total length, width, and height of your luggage is less than or equal to 160cm, it can be carried into the Shinkansen bullet train free of charge.
• If the total length, width, and height of your luggage is between 160cm and 250cm, you must make a reservation when you buy your ticket (if you do not make a reservation, you will be charged 7 USD).
• If the total length, width, and height of your luggage is greater than or equal to 250cm, you can purchase a luggage forwarding service for a fee that depends on the size of your luggage, usually between 7 and 35 USD.

Food

It is recommended to buy food at the station and bring it to the Shinkansen bullet train. There are many stores inside the stations with a wide selection of bento, snacks and drinks, including those available and not available on the trains. There are no dining carriages on the Shinkansen bullet trains, so passengers can enjoy their food at their seats.

Wheelchair

The Shinkansen is equipped with wheelchair-accessible seats, which are spacious and close to the restrooms. Passengers in need can take the elevator to reach the waiting platform. The floor of the Shinkansen carriage and the waiting platform is almost flush, making it easy for wheelchair access. Note that the train doors are about 71 cm wide and please check if your wheelchair can pass through.

Wheelchair-accessible Seats

Restroom

There are multiple restrooms on each Shinkansen bullet train, parts of which are women-only restrooms, men-only restrooms, and spacious restrooms equipped for wheelchair users.

Shinkansen Manners

• When you reach the waiting platform, please line up, and board the train in order when it arrives.
• If you bring food on board, please avoid food with strong odors and do not leave any litter behind.
• Speak quietly, set your cell phone to silent mode, and go to the connecting area between carriages when making calls.
• If you smoke, please go to the designated smoking area on the train. Some Shinkansen bullet trains have designated smoking carriages.
• When adjusting your seat, please consider the person behind your seat and pull your seat back to its original position before getting off the train.
• Small pets are allowed, and please put them into a carrying case with a total length, width and height of no more than 120 cm and a weight of no more than 10 kg.

Travel Around Japan by Shinkansen Bullet Train

If you want to travel conveniently and comfortably throughout Japan, take the Shinkansen and see as much of the country as possible in your limited vacation time. Feel free to contact us and let Odynovo plan your Shinkansen rides and answer your questions about the Shinkansen, so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.