Known for speed, reliability, safety and comfort, the shinkansen is not only a convenient way
to get around the country, but has also become a symbol of Japan.
The first shinkansen line was opened in 1964 between Tokyo and Osaka as the world’s first
high speed railway line.
It was named after the Tokaido, the main road that connected Tokyo with Kyoto during the
feudal ages.
Since then, the shinkansen network has grown steadily to reach most regions of Japan; however,
the Tokaido Shinkansen remains Japan’s most important and most used shinkansen line, connecting
the country’s three largest metropolitan centers of Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.
As convenient as the shinkansen may be, the finer details of using it may still be a little
bit of a challenge to first-time visitors.
So in this video we’re going to explain how to buy and use shinkansen tickets, and
also the nuts and bolts of actually riding the shinkansen.
So without further ado, here are our tips for “How to Use the Tokaido Shinkansen”
Starting at Tokyo Station, the Tokaido Shinkansen goes all the way to Shin-Osaka.
There are 3 categories of train operating on the Tokaido Shinkansen:
-The fastest train category, known as the Nozomi, stops only at Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama,
Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka and takes about 2.5 hours to reach Shin-Osaka Station from
Tokyo.
Several Nozomi continue on beyond Shin-Osaka in the direction of Hakata.
Do remember that the Nozomi is one of the few JR trains which cannot be used with the
Japan Rail Pass.
-The Hikari is the second fastest train category.
It serves a few more stations than the Nozomi and requires around 3 hours to get from Tokyo
to Shin-Osaka Station.
Some Hikari run west beyond Shin-Osaka.
-Finally, the Kodama is the slowest train category on the Tokaido Shinkansen.
Stopping at every station along the way it takes around 4 hours to reach Shin-Osaka Station
from Tokyo.
Two different seat classes are offered along the Tokaido Shinkansen: ordinary class and
business class, called green car.
Whilst seat reservations are mandatory for green cars, ordinary class cars offer the
option between non-reserved and reserved seats.
In Nozomi trains, cars 1 to 3 are non-reserved, while in Hikari trains, cars 1 to 5 are non-reserved.
Three green cars are located in the middle of the trains in cars 8, 9 and 10.
The remaining cars carry reserved, ordinary seats.
Now that we understand the network a little better, let’s talk about tickets.
Shinkansen tickets are made up of the base fare and a limited express fee.
Travelers in green cars additionally pay a Green Car fee.
As a result, shinkansen passengers often receive two actual tickets: one for the base fare
and one for the supplement fees, although sometimes, the two tickets are combined into
a single one, and on more complex journeys you may receive more than two tickets.
There are several ways to buy tickets for the bullet train.
Option 1: Purchasing a ticket at a ticket counter.
Shinkansen tickets can be bought from any ticket counter located in JR stations nationwide.
When purchasing from the counter, you will need to provide the staff with following information;
Number of travelers, Date of travel, Departure and arrival station, Ordinary or Green Car,
Reserved or non-reserved seat.
If you wish to make a seat reservation, you should additionally specify the train you
wish to ride by providing the train's departure time or train name and number, for example
Hikari 513.
Option 2: Purchasing a ticket at a ticket machine.
You can purchase a shinkansen ticket from one of the various ticket machines located
near the shinkansen gates.
They have an English option and will guide you through the whole process of buying correct
tickets.
Option 3: Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen Online Booking Service
This service allows travelers to purchase shinkansen ticket online and then either pick
up the tickets at a ticket machine or use an IC card, such as Suica, Toica and Icoca,
to tap through the ticket gates.:
Access the website or install the app Register credit card and optionally an IC
card Book a shinkansen
Pick up the ticket at a machine or use your registered IC card to tap through the ticket
gates
Option 4: When using a Japan Rail Pass
Last but not least, if you have a Japan Rail Pass, there is no need to get any additional
ticket unless you wish to make a seat reservation.
Seat reservations can be made with no additional fee.
Oversized Baggage
Travelers with oversized baggage are required to make a seat reservation for a seat in the
last row of a car before boarding the shinkansen so they can store their baggage behind their
seat.
A baggage is considered oversized when its height, width and depth add up to more than
160cm.
Reservations for an oversized baggage can be done either at the ticket counter, via
the ticket machine or online through the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen Online Booking service . Passengers
who board a shinkansen without a reservation for their oversized baggage will be asked
by the train conductor to move their baggage to a space specified and will have to pay
an extra fee of 1000 yen which is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Also, travelers with oversized baggage may not use non-reserved seats.
How to use the Tokaido Shinkansen
Before boarding
Once you have your tickets, it’s time to board your train, but first you have to go
through the shinkansen ticket gates.
When using paper tickets, just put the tickets together and insert them inside the machine.
Make sure not to forget to take them back when they reappear on the other side.
Those who use an IC card with official online booking service, just tap through the ticket
gates and pick up the ticket that comes out the other side.
Throughout the train station you can find electronic sign boards displaying in Japanese
and English the upcoming departures, including departure times, train names and numbers,
destination station and the platform number from which the train departs
Trains along the Tokaido Shinkansen are about 400 meters long, so it is a good idea to find
the location of your car before the train arrives.
Signs on the platform indicate where each car and its doors will be located and where
to form lines.
Displays on the side of the train and inside the train will indicate the car number and
whether the car is reserved, non-reserved or green.
On board the train
When the shinkansen arrives, make sure to let all passengers alight before boarding,
Then, find your seat if you have a reservation.
Seat number and letter are clearly indicated, in a similar way as on airplanes.
Make sure to board quickly and not to block the aisle in order to ensure that everybody
can board swiftly.
If you are travelling with baggage, you can place it onto the overhead shelf over your
seat.
Oversized baggage should be placed behind your reserved seat in the last row of the
train.
Make sure not to place your baggage near the train doors or anywhere else where it would
block the way.
Amenities on-board include: Electric outlets, spacious and usually clean
restrooms in every second car as well as a few smoking rooms.
You can recline your seat, as well as rotate the row of seats if you are travelling as
a group.
When reclining your seat, do it with caution, in order to not bother the person behind you.
Make sure to return your seat back to its original position before getting off, and
to take all garbage with you.
Unlike on local trains, eating and drinking on the shinkansen is perfectly acceptable.
A food cart service offering drinks and snacks is available on Nozomi and Hikari trains.
Finally, a good thing to know when riding the Tokaido Shinkansen is that on a clear
day you can get a beautiful view of Mount Fuji.
Seat E (or seat D in Green Class) are the seats with the best, unobstructed views of
Japan’s iconic mountain.
Riding around Japan by bullet train is a great way to see the country, and hopefully now
you feel confident using the Tokaido Shinkansen.
For more information or to watch another video, click the links on the screen now or head
over to Japan Guide dot com, your comprehensive, up-to-date travel guide, first hand from Japan.
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