When travellers think of Japan, boarding a Shinkansen bullet train may immediately spring to mind, especially if you want to journey between cities.
These trains are in a league of their own, zooming on the tracks as if they’re racing against time. Whether you're a first-time explorer or a seasoned traveller, the allure of this experience is certain to leave lasting memories. Plus, they're convenient and get you to where you need to be quickly!
The Japan Rail Pass, often called JR Pass, can sometimes be a cost-effective option for extended long-distance train journeys within Japan. Exclusively available to foreign tourists, it allows unlimited travel on JR trains for one, two, or three weeks at a discounted price.
However, if you won't be using this pass to travel around Japan, no worries. In this guide, we’ll talk about how you can reserve seats on the Shinkansen even without JR Passes.
Let's start with your options for Shinkansen trains:
What are the different bullet train options in Japan?
Experience convenience and style on Shinkansen trains!Credits: Henry Perks on Unsplash
Embark on a voyage of discovery in Japan on their famous Shinkansen trains, the peak of speed and convenience. These Japanese bullet trains run at speeds of up to 320km/h and are known for punctuality, efficiency, safety, and comfort.
Locals widely use them, and a vast network of station facilities connects them. There are so many Shinkansen trains that you only have to wait a few minutes, whether you're travelling within Tokyo or to another prefecture.
There are a total of nine Shinkansen lines that will take you across major cities and train stations all across Japan. These are:
- Tokaido Shinkansen Line
- Sanyo Shinkansen Line
- Kyushu Shinkansen Line
- Hokkaido Shinkansen Line
- Hokuriku Shinkansen Line
- Joetsu Shinkansen Line
- Tohoku Shinkansen Line
- Akita Shinkansen Line
- Yamagata Shinkansen Line
Except for the Akita and Yamagata lines, all Shinkansen run on tracks exclusively built for and used by high-speed trains! If you're looking to try out the fastest train available, go for the Hayabusa, which has top speeds of 320 km/h.
What's the difference between the seats on Green Car vs. Ordinary Car?
The 3-2 configuration in the Ordinary Car
If you're a first-time traveller on the Shinkansen, it's important to remember that there are two cars you can take: the Ordinary Car and the Green Car.
The Green Cars are the first-class seats on a Shinkansen train. This is a set up in luxury from the Ordinary Car and must be reserved before boarding.
Even if you only buy an Ordinary Pass, all amenities aboard the Shinkansen trains are already a cut above the rest throughout the country. Some of these amenities include electrical outlets for charging, overhead storage, and coat hooks. The Ordinary seats are also reversible, so you can swing around and face your group instead of looking behind manually.
As a Green Car passenger, you can access extra luxuries such as extra storage space, leg space, a reading light, complimentary drinks and snacks, and a wider, more comfortable seat with deeper reclining functions.
But of course, with extra service and amenities comes an extra price. A Green Pass is about 30% more pricey than the base price. But if you ask us, it's totally worth it!
How and where do I reserve seats on bullet trains?
Enjoy the unique experience aboard the Shinkansen with your family!
There are many options to reserve seats on any Shinkansen train, and here are some ways:
1. At a ticket counter
Shinkansen tickets are available at numerous major and minor stations across Japan. Most ticket offices accept credit cards. Be sure to have the following details available when buying a ticket:
- Number of Passengers
- Travel Date
- Departure Station
- Destination Station
- Ordinary or Green Car Preference
- Train Name and Train Number
- Departure Time
If you’re not fluent in Japanese, we advise passengers to jot down the information on paper and present it to the salesperson in charge for smoother transactions.
Oh, and aside from buying tickets, there are plenty of fun things to do at the Shinkansen stations:
2. At a ticket machine
First step to a new journey: the ticket machine.Credits: Christian Chen on Unsplash
Passengers can use designated ticket machines to purchase and reserve Shinkansen tickets. Many of these machines also come equipped with English menus. It’s important to note that some machines exclusively provide non-reserved seats, so we recommend you choose those that offer seat reservation options!
While these machines can be incredibly handy once you’re familiar with their operation, buying Shinkansen tickets isn’t always a straightforward process. Not to mention, some machines might not accept credit cards issued outside Japan.
If you’re confused, here’s how to read your Shinkansen ticket to find your reserved seat.
3. Online
Book your shinkansen tickets on Klook!
One of the most accessible and easiest ways to reserve bullet train tickets in Japan is through online portals.
We recommend booking your bullet train tickets online before even landing in Japan for a hassle-free experience!
But, if you prefer booking while in the country, do note that there is currently no single English platform for nationwide ticket purchases, instead, multiple systems are designated to specific lines.
Passengers should know that, except for the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen, these systems do not generate e-tickets. You should collect physical tickets from ticket machines before boarding. Furthermore, ticket pickup is limited to the region covered by each system.
These systems are:
- JR East Reservation System
This covers the Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Hokkaido, Joetsu, and Hokuriku shinkansen. Passengers should pick up their tickets in eastern Japan.
- Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service
This system covers the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu shinkansen. Passengers have more options with this service since you can use an IC card, QR code ticket, or physical tickets picked up from machines along the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen and in central Japan.
- JR West Reservation System
This covers the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu, Hokuriku, and Joetsu shinkansen. It also includes the Tohoku Shinkansen as far as Nasu-Shiobara. Passengers can pick up their tickets in western Japan, including Kyushu.
- JR Kyushu Reservation System
Finally, this system covers the Kyushu, Nishikyushu, Sanyo, and Tokaido Shinkansen. Tickets are exclusively picked up in Kyushu. It’s also important to remember that each system covers select limited express trains in their respective regions.
Oh, and if you're bound for Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe, you can use the JR Kansai Passes! Discover which Kansai pass is the best fit for you:
How early do I need to book reserved seats?
You can easily book reserved seats on the Shinkansen from one month before right up to the departure time of your chosen train. However, during peak national holidays such as the Golden Week, New Year, or Obon, we recommend booking 3-4 days in advance.
For those travelling in a group, we suggest booking early on in your trip. It’s better to plan your schedules strategically and have a general knowledge of which trains you’re taking and which train stations you should go to for a seamless adventure.
Of course, if you're going to ride the Shinkansen, it's better to learn all about the luggage policies. If you plan to bring oversized luggage, we recommend you make a reservation in advance!
What about the Japan Rail Pass?
Your ticket to exploring Japan the easy way!
Before jumping on the Shinkansen, get to know more more about the Japan Rail Pass and how you can maximize your travelling experience with it. Commonly known as JR Pass, it presents a cost-effective option for extensive train travel across Japan.
Designed exclusively for foreign tourists, this pass grants unlimited journeys on JR trains for up to three weeks! Passengers can also use this pass on all Shinkansen trains except for Nozomi and Mizuho, which run on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines.
Moreover, the JR Pass comes in two types: the Ordinary and Green Pass. The latter applies to first-class Green Cars that offer more expansive, extra comfortable seating and better service.
Written by: Russell Tan
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