The short answer
- Two tickets are needed: a base fare and a limited express (seat) ticket. Many machines print both on one ticket.
- Reserved seats cost a little more than non-reserved ones, and are worth it at weekends and holidays.
- On the Tokaido and Sanyo lines, bags of 160 to 250 cm in total need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area.
- Eating on board is fine, and an ekiben station lunch is part of the fun.
Lines and train types
The Tokaido Shinkansen links Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka, and continues west as the Sanyo and Kyushu lines. Other lines run north, to Tohoku and Hokkaido, to Niigata, to Kanazawa, and to Nagasaki. On the Tokaido line, Nozomi is the fastest, Hikari makes more stops and Kodama stops everywhere.
Trains have reserved cars and non-reserved cars. The Green Car is first class, with more space. Nozomi is the fast option and is usually the best choice, but some passes, including the Japan Rail Pass, do not normally cover it, so check before you choose.
How tickets work
A shinkansen journey needs a base fare (jōsha-ken) and a limited express ticket (tokkyū-ken) for the seat. A ticket machine or counter prints them, often on one slip. At the gate, put both in together and take them back out at the other end.
On the Tokaido and Sanyo lines you can also book in the Smart EX or EX app with a credit card, then tap your IC card or a QR code at the gate. This is quicker than the ticket office and lets you change a reservation online. Other regions have their own apps and web booking.
Luggage and seats
Luggage up to 160 cm in total (length plus width plus height) goes in the racks above the seats, or in the space at the back of the car. Bags from 160 up to 250 cm need a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu lines, and a bag over 250 cm cannot be taken on board. Without a reservation, a fee may be charged.
Traveling west from Tokyo to Osaka, Mt Fuji is on the right-hand side, so ask for an E seat on a clear day. Window seats are sold with a letter, and a counter or app lets you choose.
Good to know
- Book early for Golden Week, Obon and New Year, when trains are full.
- Bring food and drink from the station before you board. Trains on some lines have a trolley, but not all.
- Keep your voice down and take calls in the deck area between cars.
Words you will see
- 新幹線 shinkansen
- bullet train
- 指定席 shiteiseki
- reserved seat
- 自由席 jiyūseki
- non-reserved seat
- グリーン車 gurīn-sha
- Green Car, first class
- 駅弁 ekiben
- station lunch box
Handy for your trip
Book your shinkansen and train tickets
Reserve tickets before you arrive, or compare a pass if you have several long trips.
- Japan train tickets Book shinkansen and express train tickets before you arrive. Discover ↗
- Japan Rail Pass The nationwide pass, if your plans add up to long journeys. Discover ↗
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See also
Based on information from JR Central and JR East, including the oversized baggage rule. Fares and rules checked in November 2026. They change, so confirm current prices with the operator before you buy. Prices are rounded and given in yen. Rules differ between railway companies and regions.