Booking Shinkansen tickets online is the easiest way to secure seats and avoid station lines. This clear guide shows first-time visitors exactly how to use the two main official systems (SmartEX for west routes and JR East for east routes), how to reserve seats with a JR Pass, and ticketless options with simple steps anyone can follow.
Taking the Shinkansen
Shinkansen Luggage Rules: How to Take Suitcases on Japan’s Bullet Trains
The 2026 Shinkansen luggage rules, made simple: bags over 160 cm need a free reserved seat on the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Nishi-Kyushu lines, or you pay ¥1,000 onboard. How to measure your bag, book the seat (free with a Japan Rail Pass), and skip the hassle entirely with takkyubin forwarding.
