Japan Rail Pass Now - Japan Travel Guide

Bullet Train & History
In addition, several additional lines are planned over the coming decades. One magnetic line between Tokyo and Nagoya that is scheduled for
completion by 2027 will enable Shinkansen trains to travel at speeds up to 500 kilometres per hour.
A variety of Shinkansen train types operate on each existing line, ranging from express services that bypass various stations to those that stop
at each station.
Shinkansen Travel Time Between Popular Destinations
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Tokyo to Kyoto: 2 hours, 49 minutes
Tokyo to Shin-Osaka: 2 hours, 33 minutes
Tokyo to Akita: 3 hours, 50 minutes
Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Hiroshima to Hakata: 1 hour, 8 minutes
Hakata to Kagoshima: 1 hour, 17 minutes
Seat Categories
Most Shinkansen trains offer two seat classes in separate cars, with some also offering a third class. These classes are:
1) Ordinary
These are regular seats and usually arranged in rows of 3×2. The size and foot space varies between Shinkansen trains, but they are generally
comfortable. They provide considerably more foot space than economy seats on planes. Ordinary seats can also be reclined and they have
foldout tables and pockets for magazines like on a plane, as well as open overhead shelves that can store small and medium-sized bags or
suitcases.
There’s also usually enough space for two or three large suitcases behind the last row of seats in each Shinkansen Car. Each passenger is
allowed to bring up to two pieces of luggage weighing less than 30 kilograms and not measuring more than 2 and a half metres combined in
terms of height, width and depth.
2) Green Car
Green Car is similar to business class on planes and is arranged in rows of 2×2. Seats are more spacious and comfortable than those in Ordinary
class, and they have all of the other features of Ordinary Class. Depending on the type of Shinkansen service, they may also have a foot rest,
reading light, radio, electrical outlet and a seat warmer. Green Cars are also less crowded than Ordinary Cars.
3) Gran
This is comparable to first class on planes. It’s available on the Tohoku, Hokuriku and Hokkaido Shinkansen trains. Gran class seats are the most
spacious available, and passengers in them are entitled to additional amenities and services to those provided with both Green or Ordinary Cars.
Reserved and Non-Reserved Seating + How to make Seat Reservations
Most Shinkansen trains offer both reserved (shiteiseki) and non-reserved (jiyūseki) seating. However, a few services on the Tohoku, Hokkaido
and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines only offer reserved seating. Bilingual signs on the Shinkansen trains and at station platforms indicate whether
reserved and/or non-reserved seatings options are available.
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