How to Ride the Shinkansen: Buying Tickets, Reserved Seats, Big Luggage Rules and the Mt. Fuji Seat
Published: 2026-10-15
Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka, Sendai or Kanazawa: everything you need for your first bullet train, from buying tickets and picking seats to the oversized luggage rules and onboard etiquette.
The short answer
| Shinkansen basics | |
|---|---|
| Main Tokyo stations | Tokyo Station (all lines), Shinagawa (Kyoto/Osaka direction), Ueno (Sendai/Kanazawa direction) |
| Tickets | A basic fare ticket plus a limited express ticket. Machines can issue them together |
| Seat types | Reserved and non-reserved ordinary cars, and first-class Green Cars |
| Booking | Station machines and counters, or online (smartEX for the Tokaido-Sanyo line) |
| Big luggage | Suitcases over 160 cm in total dimensions need a special reserved seat |
Reserved seats sell out fast on weekends, holidays and around New Year. Book once your dates are set.
Main Shinkansen lines from Tokyo
| Line | Main destinations | Board in Tokyo at |
|---|---|---|
| Tokaido Shinkansen | Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka | Tokyo, Shinagawa |
| Tohoku Shinkansen | Sendai, Morioka, Shin-Aomori | Tokyo, Ueno |
| Hokuriku Shinkansen | Nagano, Kanazawa, Tsuruga | Tokyo, Ueno |
| Joetsu Shinkansen | Niigata | Tokyo, Ueno |
- The Tokaido Shinkansen runs Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama trains, from fastest to slowest. For Kyoto and Osaka, Nozomi makes the fewest stops.
How to buy tickets
- Reserved-seat ticket machines: switch the screen to English, pick your destination, time and seat type, and pay by credit card or cash.
- Ticket offices (Midori no Madoguchi): tell the staff where and when. The safest option if you're unsure.
- Online: on the Tokaido-Sanyo line, book with smartEX and pass the gates with a registered IC card. For the Tohoku and Hokuriku lines, use JR East's Eki-net.
You may get two tickets (fare and limited express). Insert both together into the gate.
Choosing a seat
The Mt. Fuji seatHeading from Tokyo toward Kyoto and Osaka, Mt. Fuji is on the right. Pick an E seat (window). Watch for it around Shin-Fuji Station in Shizuoka on clear days.Big luggage rules (Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu lines)
| Luggage size (length + width + height) | Rule |
|---|---|
| Up to 160 cm | No booking needed. Use the overhead rack or the space at your feet |
| 161 to 250 cm | Book a "seat with an oversized baggage area". There's no extra charge for the booking |
| Over 250 cm | Not allowed on board |
Bring oversized luggage without a booking and you'll pay a fee and must store it where the conductor says.
- Strollers, musical instruments and sports equipment are exempt from these rules.
- To travel light, send your bags to your hotel. → "What to do with big luggage in Tokyo"
On board
- Ekiben: eating a station bento on the train is perfectly fine, and Tokyo Station has whole shops of them. → Ekiben
- Seats rotate: groups can turn a row around to face each other. Let the people behind you know first.
- Keep it quiet: take calls in the vestibule between cars.
- Trains leave on the dot: be on the platform a few minutes early. Car numbers are marked on the platform floor.
- Power: many trains have outlets at the seats.
Riding with a Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass covers Hikari and Kodama trains. To ride a Nozomi, you need to buy an extra ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy Shinkansen tickets?
At reserved-seat ticket machines (in English), ticket offices, or online (smartEX, Eki-net).
Can I bring a large suitcase on the Shinkansen?
Up to 160 cm in total dimensions, yes, with no booking. From 161 to 250 cm you must reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area (no extra charge), and anything over 250 cm isn't allowed.
Can you see Mt. Fuji from the Shinkansen?
Yes, on clear days, from the right side (E seats) when traveling from Tokyo toward Kyoto and Osaka.
Can I eat on the Shinkansen?
Yes. Buying an ekiben to eat on board is part of the fun.
Can I ride the Nozomi with a JR Pass?
Yes, with an extra ticket. Hikari and Kodama trains are covered by the pass alone.
Official websites
- JR Central: oversized baggage rules
- smartEX (online booking for the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen)
- JR Central for travelers
Hours, prices and rules can change. Check the official websites for the latest before you go.
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