Reservation is required for large luggage on the Shinkansen
Are you planning to travel around Japan using the Tokaido, Sanyo, or Kyushu Shinkansen? If yes, then this guide is for you so you can determine if you'll need a special seat reservation for oversized luggage. Be warned, failure to do so will result in a penalty fee of ¥1,000 (~USD7).
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Why is this seat reservation policy implemented?
Since May 2020, the Japanese Railways operators implemented this policy to prevent overcrowding of luggage storage space and ensure a safer and more comfortable journey for all passengers.
Which Shinkansen train lines will be affected?
If you are planning to take any of the following Shinkansen routes, you will need to make a seat reservation with an oversized baggage area if you do have one:
- Tokaido Shinkansen, which runs between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, and includes a Shinkansen stop in Kyoto
- Sanyo Shinkansen, which runs from Shin-Osaka to Hakata, Fukuoka, and includes stops in Himeji and Hiroshima
- Kyushu Shinkansen, which runs from Hakata to Kagoshima Chuo
What is considered oversized luggage?
You will have to measure your luggage to add up the length + width + height. A piece of large luggage is defined as:
Length + Height + Width = 160cm – 250cm
If your luggage is more than 160cm, which usually translates to something bigger than the usual 26” suitcase, you will have to make a reservation for a seat that comes with an oversized baggage area.
Klook Tip: Things like sports equipment and strollers that measure more than 160cm will also require a reservation should you wish to store them in an oversized baggage area.
If you have a piece of cabin-sized luggage or something not bigger than 24”, you are safe to store it on the overhead rack on board the Shinkansen. This means that you do not need to reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area.
Measuring devices will be available near the Shinkansen gates so you can double-check if your baggage requires a reservation for oversized luggage space.
Where is this oversized luggage area?
The oversized luggage area is behind the last row of seats onboard selected reserved cars. When you have reserved one of these seats, you can use the space behind it for your luggage.
This is usually the last five seats of the Ordinary Car or the last four seats of the Green Car. Do note that there are no oversized baggage areas in the non-reserved cars.
Klook Tip: Do reserve your seats ahead during peak seasons as there are only limited amount of reserved seats with an oversized baggage area.
How do I make a reservation for my oversized luggage?
Reserving your Shinkansen bullet train seat ticket with an oversized baggage area will automatically include this reserved space for your luggage. In other words, you will go through the usual seat reservation process and need not reserve the storage area specifically.
You can do this easily by first locating the ticket-vending machines at JR stations and going through the following steps:
- Click 'Seat reservation with coupon ticket'
- Insert the JR Passes of all passengers
- Select your route, date, and time
- Click 'Confirm' when you are prompted that an oversized baggage reservation is required for that route
- Click 'Seat with oversized baggage area'
- Click 'Select from seat map'
- Select your desired car and seat
- Remember to collect your JR Pass and Reserved Seat Ticket
Klook Tip: A selection on the machine appears as a green circle. A yellow triangle indicates a selectable option, while a red cross means it is unavailable.
Is the seat reservation covered by the JR Pass?
If you have the Whole Japan JR Pass, you will be able to make a seat reservation free of charge onboard most Shinkansen trains, except the Nozomi and Mizuho trains.
If you have other regional JR Passes, you will have to check if the reserved seat option on a Shinkansen is included.
What if I cannot make a seat reservation with an oversized baggage area?
Fret not if all the seats with an oversized baggage area are no longer available on your desired train. Thankfully in Japan, they’ve got you covered with a luggage forwarding service that can be easily arranged to have your luggage delivered from your hotel to the next. This is especially useful if you’re going to use a lot of local transportation and making stops along the way.
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Point-to-point Shinkansen tickets are essentially single-trip bullet train tickets. Instead of getting the JR Pass which grants you unlimited travel on trains, you can just get a ticket for each train ride you plan to take.
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