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Shinkansen

Tokaido Shinkansen

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Shinkansen

Japan's main islands of Honshu and Kyushu are served by a network of high speed train linesthat connect Tokyo with most of the country's major cities. Japan's high speed trains (bullettrains) are called shinkansen ( VŠ² ü) and are operated by Japan Railways (JR).

Running at speeds of up to 320 km/h, the shinkansen is known for punctuality (most trainsdepart on time to the second), comfort (relatively silent cars with spacious, always forward facingseats), safety (no fatal accidents in its history) and efficiency. Thanks to the Japan Rail Pass, theshinkansen can also be a very cost effective means of travel.

Shinkansen Network

The shinkansen network consists of multiple lines, among which the Tokaido Shinkansen(Tokyo - Nagoya - Kyoto - Osaka) is the oldest and most popular. All shinkansen lines (except theAkita and Yamagata Shinkansen) run on tracks that are exclusively built for and used byshinkansen trains. Most lines are served by multiple train categories, ranging from the fastestcategory that stops only at major stations to the slowest category that stops at every stationalong the way.

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Shinkansen Tickets

Seat Classes

Most shinkansen trains in Japan offer seats in two classes, which are typically found in separatecars:

Ordinary

Like the name suggests, ordinary seats are the regular seatsfound on all shinkansen trains. Although the size and foot spaceof ordinary seats varies between train sets, ordinary seats onshinkansen are generally comfortable and offer a generousamount of foot space. They usually come in rows of 3x2 seats.

Green Car

Comparable to business class on airplanes, green cars offerseats that are larger and more comfortable than ordinary seatsand offer more foot space. The seats are arranged in rows of 2x2seats. Green Cars tend to be less crowded than ordinary cars.

Furthermore, Gran Class is available on new train sets along the Tohoku Shinkansen andHokuriku Shinkansen. Comparable to first class on airplanes, Gran Class offers seats that areeven more spacious and comfortable than Green Car seats (in rows of 2x1 seats) and additionalamenities and services.

Reserved vs. non-reserved cars

Most shinkansen trains offer both non-reserved seats (Ž©—RÈ, jiyūseki) and reserved seats(Žw’è È, shiteiseki) in separate cars. Only the Hayabusa, Hayate and Komachi trains on theTohoku Shinkansen and the Kagayaki trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen are fully reserved andcarry no non-reserved seating. All seats in Green Cars are reserved. Bilingual signs indicatewhether a shinkansen car carries reserved or non-reserved seats.

Advance seat reservations are required to use a seat in a reserved car (see below on how to makeseat reservations). A fee of a few hundred yen applies for making seat reservations. Japan RailPass holders can make seat reservations for free.

Signs on cars indicating whether the car is reserved or non-reserved

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Signs on a platform (left) and inside a train (right)

Display in a station indicating the non-reserved car numbers of upcoming departures

Regular Tickets

A shinkansen ticket is made up of several fees:

Base fare The fare to be paid to get from A to B. Increases step wise according to the distancetraveled. Issued as base fare ticket ( æŽÔŒ”, jōshaken).

Shinkansen supplement (limited express fee) The supplement fee to be paid for using a shinkansen train (as opposed to a local train).The fee increases step wise according to the distance traveled. The express supplement isissued as limited express fee ticket (“Á‹}Œ”, tokkyūken).

Seat reservation fee 320, 520 or 720 yen depending on whether it is low season, regular season or high seasonrespectively. An additional supplement (100-620 yen depending on distance traveled)applies for using reserved seats on Nozomi, Mizuho, Hayabusa and Komachi trains. Theseat reservation fee is usually combined with the express supplement into a single ticket.

Green car fee The supplement fee for riding the green car. Increases step wise according to the distancetraveled. It is usually combined with the express supplement into a single ticket.

A passenger typically receives two pieces of tickets (a base fare ticket and a supplement ticket),although in some situations the two tickets are combined into a single ticket. If multiple trainsare involved, there can be more than two tickets (one supplement ticket for each train).

Base fare ticket Shinkansen supplement ticket

Rail Passes

The Japan Rail Pass can be used on all shinkansen trains except Nozomi and Mizuho trains andcovers all the fees involved. Seat reservations can be made for free at ticket counters. Passholders will receive a seat reservation ticket that indicates the reserved seat. They need no tickets

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holders will receive a seat reservation ticket that indicates the reserved seat. They need no ticketsbesides their rail pass when using non-reserved seats.

Similar to the nationwide Japan Rail Pass, there are a few regional passes that also cover theshinkansen trains and allow for free seat reservations:

JR East Pass All trains along the Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita and Joetsu Shinkansen and all trains alongthe Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Joetsu Myoko

JR Sanyo Sanin Area Pass All trains along the Sanyo Shinkansen (including Nozomi and Mizuho)

Kyushu Rail Pass All trains along the Kyushu Shinkansen (including Mizuho)

Other discount tickets

Small discounts are available for set ticket (‰ñ ”Œ”, kaisūken) and round trip tickets(‰ •œŠ„ˆø, ōfukuwaribiki) that are available for selected sections. Other tickets provide adiscount when purchased in advance (‘ “¾, hayatoku). Discount ticket shops around majorstations also sell shinkansen tickets at small discounts.

Travel packages such as the various shinkansen tour packages by Japanican or the PurattoKodama Economy Plan (for travel along the Tokaido Shinkansen by Kodama) can provide moresubstantial savings, but have to be purchased in advance.

Seat Reservations

Seat reservations allow you to secure a seat and travel with peace of mind. They can be made forall shinkansen trains, but are not mandatory on the trains that also carry non-reserved seating.Only the Hayabusa, Hayate and Komachi trains along the Tohoku Shinkansen and the Kagayakitrains along the Hokuriku Shinkansen require seat reservations.

When and where can I make seat reservations?

Seat reservations can be made from one month before travel date (from 10:00am) until shortlybefore departure time. They can be made in various ways:

At a ticket counter

Seat reservations can be made in person at ticket offices of all majorJR stations across Japan. Any shinkansen can be reserved from anyJR ticket office in Japan.

At a vending machine

A few types of vending machines with bilingual menus (Japaneseand English) allow travelers to make seat reservations onshinkansen trains. Japan Rail Pass holders cannot use vending

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shinkansen trains. Japan Rail Pass holders cannot use vendingmachines to make seat reservations.

Online

JR East operates an English website that allows regular travelersand Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass holders to make seatreservations for the Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Joetsu and HokurikuShinkansen, but not for the other shinkansen lines. Each JRcompany also operates Japanese websites for online reservations,however, they require Japanese language skills and residency.

What information is needed to make a seat reservation?

In order to purchase a shinkansen ticket, the following information is needed:

Number of travelersDate of travelDeparture StationDestination StationOrdinary or green carReserved or non-reserved seat

For a seat reservation, the following additional information is required:

Train name (e.g. Hikari) and train number or departure timePreference of smoking or non-smoking seat, if available

If you do not speak Japanese, it is recommended that you write the data on a piece of paper andpresent it to the salesperson in order to make the purchasing process smoother. Salespersonsare generally familiar with the English vocabulary needed for the purchase of train tickets andseat reservations, but many have limited English conversation skills.

How can I pay?

Cash and credit cards can be used at ticket counters and vending machines that sell shinkansentickets. At some ticket counters, you should indicate at the beginning of your order that you willbe paying by credit card. Japan Rail Pass holders can make seat reservations for free.

Are seat reservations recommended?

On many trains reserved seats do not get booked out, but on some they do. On particularly busytravel days (e.g. peak travel days during Golden Week, Obon and the New Year holidays), trainscan get booked out several days in advance, but on most other days trains rarely get booked outmore than a few hours in advance, if at all.

For peace of mind seat reservations are always recommended, especially when traveling ingroups and preferring to sit together. On a few shinkansen trains along the Tohoku Shinkansenand Hokuriku Shinkansen seat reservations are mandatory.

The green symbol with the seat indicates a ticket counter ("midori no madoguchi")

How to use the shinkansen?

After purchasing your ticket (see above), proceed as follows:

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1) Pass through the regular ticket gate

At many stations, shinkansen passengers have to pass through twosets of automatic ticket gates: regular ticket gates and shinkansenticket gates. At the regular ticket gates, insert only your base fareticket into the ticket slot, pass the gate and retrieve your ticket atthe other end. Japan Rail Pass holders cannot use the automaticgates, but have to show their pass to the staff at the manned gate.

2) Make your way to the shinkansen platforms

Follow the bilingual signs to the shinkansen platforms. Dependingon the station, the shinkansen platforms are sometimes placedparallel to and close to the regular train platforms, but often theyare located in a separate part or on a different level of the stationcomplex.

3) Pass the shinkansen ticket gates

A second set of gates divides shinkansen platforms from the regulartrain platforms, although at some stations there are also directgates to the shinkansen platforms that allow passengers to skip theregular gates. This time, insert not only your base fare ticket butalso your supplement ticket together into the ticket slot at thesame time and retrieve them on the other side of the gate. JapanRail Pass holders again use the manned gate, instead.

4) Access your platform

Displays of upcoming departures will indicate from which platformyour train will depart, while signs clearly indicate the way to eachplatform. Virtually all shinkansen platforms are equipped withescalators and elevators.

5) Find your car

Displays on the platform indicate upcoming departures. Otherdisplays and/or signs mark the location of doors, indicating carnumbers and whether the car is reserved, non-reserved or green.Some busy stations have two lanes painted on the platform in frontof each door location: one for the upcoming departure and one forthe departure afterwards. Passengers line up accordingly, especiallyin case of non-reserved cars to secure seats.

6) Find your seat

Seats are numbered and lettered in the same style as on airplanes.Try not to block the aisle when storing your luggage and takingyour seat to allow for quick boarding.

Your seat

Ordinary seats typically come in rows of 3x2 seats, although on some trains they are arranged inrows of 2x2 seats (and in rare cases in rows of 3x3 seats). Seats can be reclined and have tables,pockets for magazines and open overhead shelves. They provide considerably more foot spacethan economy seats on airplanes. Some newer train sets have electrical outlets installed alongthe walls.

Green cars always come with rows of 2x2 seats and have seats that are more spacious thanordinary seats. The seats are often equipped with a foot rest, reading light, electrical outlets (foraisle and window seats) and a seat warmer, although the exact facilities depend on the train set.

All seats on shinkansen trains can be turned by 180 degrees, allowing travelers to always faceforward. The seats are turned by the staff at the terminal stations, but can also be turned by

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forward. The seats are turned by the staff at the terminal stations, but can also be turned bypassengers, for example, to create a group of four or six seats facing each other.

Amenities & Services

Signs and announcements inside the trains are multilingual (Japanese and English on allshinkansen lines; plus Korean and Chinese on selected lines) and inform about upcomingstations.

Most shinkansen trains are served by small food carts with a selection of snacks, drinks andboxed meals (bento) which periodically pass along the aisle. Some trains also have vendingmachines with drinks and pay phones. Wireless internet is available on the newest train setsbetween Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, however, a subscription or 1-day pass has to be purchasedbefore boarding the train.

All shinkansen are equipped with multiple toilets, which are sometimes separated by gender.The toilets are Western style except on some older train sets. Newer train sets are also equippedwith spacious toilets for wheel chair users. Outside the toilets are wash corners with sinks andlarge mirrors.

Accessible toilet and wash corner on a modern train set

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed on most shinkansen trains. Prominent exception is the Tokaido/SanyoShinkansen on which some last smoking cars survive on older train sets. On newer train setsalong the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen, smoking is allowed only in small cabins with goodventilation that keep the trains free of smoke. On all other shinkansen lines, smoking is notpossible.

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Luggage

Shinkansen trains are equipped with relatively spacious overhead shelves (smaller on certaintrain sets) which can store small and medium sized bags and suitcases. Additionally, there isusually space for two or three large suitcases behind the last row of seats in each car. On manyshinkansen trains the leg room is large enough to place a suitcase in front of you, although thismay not be the most comfortable solution.

According to the rules book, each traveler is allowed to bring up to two pieces of luggage onto atrain (not including small bags), with each piece not weighting more than 30 kilograms and notmeasuring more than 250 centimeters when adding up width, height and depth. However, evenwhen bringing less than this upper limit, we recommend travelers with a lot of luggage toconsider using a delivery service to make the trip more comfortable for themselves and thepassengers around them.

Space for luggage behind the last row of seats

Shinkansen Manners

Don't block the aisle with luggage.

When having a conversation, keep your voice down.

Recline your seat with consideration for the person behind you. Return the seat to itsoriginal position before exiting the train.

Set your mobile phone to silent mode. Don't talk on your phone except in the deck areasbetween cars.

Line up on the platform before boarding.

Future of the Shinkansen

Several new shinkansen routes are currently being built:

Hokkaido Shinkansen: extension from Aomori through the SeikanTunnel to Hakodate in March 2016 and via Niseko and Otaru toSapporo in 2030.

Hokuriku Shinkansen: extension from Kanazawa to Tsuruga in 2022.

Kyushu Shinkansen (Nagasaki Route): a branch line to Nagasakiwhich partially uses existing regular tracks, possibly with a gaugechange train. Scheduled for completion by 2023.

Chuo Shinkansen: Using maglev technology, this new line isscheduled to connect Tokyo with Nagoya in 2027 and with Osaka by2045.

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Last updated: March 14, 2015March 14, 2015

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LinksLinks

JR EastJR East (English) Official website of a shinkansen operator.

JR CentralJR Central (English) Official website of a shinkansen operator.

JR WestJR West (English) Official website of a shinkansen operator.

JR KyushuJR Kyushu (English) Official website of a shinkansen operator.

Links to timetable websitesLinks to timetable websites (English) A list of online timetable resources and explanations on how to use them.

Linear ExpressLinear Express (Japanese) About the Linear Chuo Shinkansen Project (Maglev).

Tours and Packages

The Shinkansen TourCheapest way to travel Japan. Better value than the JR Rail Pass. Save up to 58%.

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