Riding the Shinkansen: tickets, seats & luggage
Japan’s Shinkansen (bullet train) is fast and easy to ride — once you understand its slightly unusual ticketing. The two things that trip visitors up are the two-ticket system and a few catches around the fastest trains and big suitcases. Here’s how it works, based on JR Central, the official Japan Rail Pass site and JNTO.
Fares: two tickets, not one
Per JR Central, a Shinkansen or limited-express trip needs a Basic Fare ticket plus a Limited Express ticket valid for the specific train. The combination depends on your seat:
- Ordinary Car: Basic Fare + either a reserved or a non-reserved limited-express ticket.
- Green Car (first class): Basic Fare + a reserved limited-express ticket + a Green Car ticket.
If you buy from a machine or counter, this is bundled for you — but it’s why the price is more than a normal train, and why a single “ticket” is really two.
Seat types: non-reserved, reserved, Green Car
- Non-reserved (jiyuseki): ride any non-reserved car, first-come first-served. Cheapest and flexible.
- Reserved (shiteiseki): a specific assigned seat — worth it at busy times or with luggage.
- Green Car: first class, more space, its own extra ticket.
The Nozomi / Mizuho catch (and the Japan Rail Pass)
The fastest Tokaido/Sanyo services — Nozomi and Mizuho — have two things to know. First, during Japan’s peak periods the Nozomi runs all-reserved (no non-reserved seats). Second, they are not covered by the nationwide Japan Rail Pass. A Pass holder can still ride them, but only by buying a special supplement ticket before boarding. If you’re on the Pass and don’t want the surcharge, take the slightly slower Hikari or Sakura instead. See our Japan Rail Pass guide.
Big suitcases: the oversized-baggage rule
On the Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen, luggage whose total dimensions (height + width + depth) are between 160cm and 250cm requires a reserved “seat with an oversized baggage area,” booked in advance at no extra seat cost. Turn up with such a bag and no reservation, and JR Central charges a ¥1,000 baggage fee. Most normal suitcases are under 160cm and need nothing special — this mainly affects very large cases. If in doubt, our luggage-forwarding guide is an easy way to skip the problem entirely.
How to buy
You can buy at station ticket machines and counters, or book online through JR Central’s official reservation service (smart-EX), then collect the ticket from an EX-marked machine or a staffed counter — or ride using your mobile. Online reservations can be changed free of charge before departure.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need two tickets for the Shinkansen?
Yes. A Shinkansen trip normally needs a Basic Fare ticket plus a Limited Express (Shinkansen) ticket for that specific train. For the Green Car (first class), you add a Green Car ticket on top of a reserved limited-express ticket (JR Central).
What are the seat options?
In an Ordinary Car, you choose non-reserved (jiyuseki) or reserved (shiteiseki) seating. There is also the Green Car (first class), which needs its own extra ticket. Reserved and Green Car guarantee you a specific seat.
Can I always ride the Nozomi with a non-reserved seat?
No. During Japan’s designated peak periods, Nozomi trains run all-reserved, so no non-reserved seating is available then. Outside peak periods some non-reserved cars run, but reserving is safest at busy times.
Is the Nozomi covered by the Japan Rail Pass?
No — Nozomi and Mizuho (the fastest trains on the Tokaido/Sanyo lines) are excluded from the nationwide Japan Rail Pass. Pass holders can still ride them by buying a special supplement ticket before boarding (Japan Rail Pass official).
What are the rules for large suitcases?
On the Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen, baggage whose total dimensions (height + width + depth) are between 160cm and 250cm needs a reserved “seat with an oversized baggage area,” booked in advance. Bringing such baggage without a reservation incurs a ¥1,000 fee (JR Central).
Ticket rules, peak-period dates, fares and the baggage fee are set by the JR companies and change over time; this guide explains how the system works (2026-07-13). Confirm current details on the official JR / Japan Rail Pass sites before you travel.
Sources
- JR Central — Types & Combinations of Tickets (official EN) (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- JR Central — Nozomi (peak-period all-reserved) (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- JR Central — Oversized Baggage Reservations (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- Japan Rail Pass (official) — Use of Nozomi/Mizuho (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- JR Central — Online Booking (smart-EX) (retrieved 2026-07-13)
- JNTO / Japan Travel — Japan Rail guide (retrieved 2026-07-13)