How many days in advance should I book Shinkansen?


How many days in advance should I book Shinkansen? 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.


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.


Are all Shinkansen seats reserved?

Shinkansen, limited express trains, and express trains have reserved Green car seats, reserved standard car seats, and non-reserved seats. Some trains do not have non-reserved seats (all seats are reserved).


Can you buy Shinkansen on the spot?

Passengers can buy Shinkansen tickets from ticket counters, ticket machines or online. Foreign visitors are entitled to buy a JR Pass, which offers unlimited access to all Shinkansen trains. The JR Pass is great value for money, covering unlimited journeys during its validity.


Which side of Shinkansen to see Fuji?

Use the bullet train Tokaido Shinkansen to travel to Mt. Fuji right from the heart of Tokyo. On the left side, you will see mesmerizing Sagami Bay, and on the right side the symbol of Japan, the highest summit of the country, perfectly symmetrical Mount Fuji.


Should you book train tickets in advance Japan?

No, you do not. In fact, most Japanese people only buy tickets the day of or physically go to a station the day before. It's not scene as a formal way to travel like getting from here to there via plane in Japan so most people just turn up and ride.


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.


What happens if I miss my Shinkansen reservation?

I'm using JR pass and reserved seats, what if I were to miss the train, can I change to the next train on the spot? Hi there, If you miss a train you have a reserved seat for, then you are allowed to board the next train and take a non-reserved seat.


What time is the Shinkansen busiest?

Time of the day Shinkansen is generally more crowded in early morning and evening when people move to other cities after work and sightseeing.


Will Shinkansen tickets sold out?

Note that for the Shinkansen, you need a “super (limited) express” ticket in addition to the basic fare ticket for that route (we sell these as a set). Do Shinkansen tickets sell out? Yes, especially for weekend travel and during peak seasons, Shinkansen services can be fully booked.


What happens if the Shinkansen is late?

In the event of a suspension in services or a delay of 2 hours or more, we will refund the amounts determined below to the credit card used to make payment.


How reliable is 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.


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.


What is the 160 rule on Shinkansen?

Baggage with overall dimensions of less than 160 cm 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.


What is the best day to buy train tickets?

Travel during peak travel periods will usually see you paying more as there is more demand for tickets. For that reason, the best days to buy tickets are generally in the middle of the week between Tuesday and Thursday, the former considered the best of all by several sources.


How far in advance should I buy train tickets?

Always Book Early Cheap train tickets are usually released by train operators in advance of the journey. Normally, this is around 12 weeks in advance, as the timetable for any particular day is normally confirmed 12 weeks in advance.


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.


Is it cheaper to pre book train tickets or buy on the day?

Advance purchase tickets are cheaper rail fares which are sold prior to the day of travel, and, in some cases on the day of departure.