How do you get on Shinkansen?

How do you get on Shinkansen? Pick up your tickets from a ticket vending machine at the Shinkansen transfer entrance. First insert your ticket into the Shinkansen ticket gate, then touch your registered IC card. The fare for the conventional line will be deducted from the balance on your IC card.

Can I get on Shinkansen without reservation?

Even the Shinkansen (bullet trains) are equipped with several non-reserved seats cars that you can ride with your JR Pass, without booking ticket. However, it is recommended to book a seat in the Shinkansen when traveling during Japan's national holiday's periods.

How do you get Shinkansen at Tokyo Station?

Access to the Shinkansen trains is on the Yaesu side. The ground floor level of Tokyo Station houses 20 train tracks at ten platforms. Two portions of the station are located underground, each housing four train tracks at two platforms.

Can you bring luggage on Shinkansen?

How much luggage can I bring onto the shinkansen? Each passenger is allowed to bring on two pieces of oversized luggage each. Each of these pieces of luggage cannot exceed 250 cm in total dimensions as previously stated. Additionally, each piece of luggage cannot exceed 30 kg (66 lbs) in weight.

How safe are Shinkansen?

Above all else, the Shinkansen has a remarkable safety record. These Shinkansens have now operated for 50 years, over 18,000 days, without a single passenger casualty.

Where do you put luggage on Shinkansen?

You can put baggage whose overall dimensions are less than 160 cm (the same size as the baggage that can be carried for free in airplane holds) * on the overhead baggage rack of the Shinkansen.

Does Shinkansen need to be booked?

You must order at least 3 days in advance before the day of travel. I would advise you to book your shinkansen tickets as far in advance as you can, during peak season like Christmas and New Year, cherry blossom season (April) and fall foliage season (November). It gets extremely busy and trains are often fully booked.

Where do you store large suitcases on Shinkansen?

Unlike trains you may be used to, Shinkansen do not have a specific area in each carriage for bags, so you will need to either place them behind the very last row of seats in the car, or smaller items can be placed on the overhead rail.

How do I choose a Shinkansen seat?

Go to a ticket machine at a train station and change to a language other than Japanese if needed. Select Reserved Seat on the screen. Select For seat reservation on Shinkansen. (There will be other options if you are riding a train other than a Shinkansen.)

Which Shinkansen Cannot take JR Pass?

The PASS is valid on all Japan Railways (JR) Group Shinkansen “bullet trains” (except for the “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains), limited express trains, express trains, and local trains (Green Car passes are valid for Green Car travel) in addition to the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit system).

What is the difference between bullet train and Shinkansen?

Shinkansen (???) in Japanese means 'new trunk line' or 'new main line', but this word is used to describe both the railway lines the trains run on and the trains themselves. In English, the trains are also known as the bullet train.

Do I need JR Pass for Shinkansen?

All Shinkansen trains are covered by the JR Pass. The Nozomi and Mizuho high-speed trains (Tokaido and Sanyo lines) are also included, subject to purchase of a special complementary ticket. JR Pass holders wishing to travel free on these lines can board local and semi-fast trains.

Do Shinkansen trains sell out?

Do Shinkansen tickets sell out? Yes, especially for weekend travel and during peak seasons, Shinkansen services can be fully booked. In this case, it may be possible to ride with a non-reserved seat ticket, if you are willing to stand for the entire journey!

What happens when you miss your Shinkansen?

If you miss your stop on the Shinkansen in Japan, you have a few options: You can ask the conductor to let you off at the next station. The conductor may be able to do this if there are seats available, but they are not obligated to do so.

How do you board a Shinkansen train?

When boarding directly from a Shinkansen station, please insert your tickets into the Shinkansen ticket gate prior to boarding. Your tickets are required for on-board ticket checks and exiting the station at your destination. Please do not lose or forget to take your tickets.

How early should I arrive for Shinkansen?

Some trains might have a stop as brief as 1 minute, while others might stop 5 to 10 minutes due to waiting for other Shinkansen to pass. Regardless, arriving at the platform about 15 minutes before the departure time provides ample mental and physical preparation.

Do Shinkansen seats turn around?

All seats on shinkansen trains can be turned by 180 degrees, allowing travelers to always face forward. The seats are turned by the staff at the terminal stations, but can also be turned by passengers, for example, to create a group of four or six seats facing each other.

Should I buy JR Pass before going to Japan?

If you calculate that your travel costs will be lower if you buy individual tickets for each journey, then it's not worth buying a JR Pass. However, if you take into account journeys on Shinkansen high-speed trains or other means of transport, the savings you make become substantial.

Can you bring your own food on Shinkansen?

Eating and drinking on Japanese trains You should eat on trains only when taking a long-distance train, such as the Shinkansen. These types of trains have a tray and cup holder at every seat, and snacks are sold from a vendor trolley. When taking this type of train, it is also acceptable to bring your own food.