Japan Rail Pass Now - Japan Travel Guide

Bullet Train & History
Displays on each Shinkansen platform will indicate upcoming Shinkansen arrivals and routes. Other signs painted on the platform indicate car
door locations, numbers and seat classes (i.e. Ordinary, Green Car or Gran). It’s customary in Japan to line up in an orderly queue to board trains,
especially for non-reserved seats. Reserved Shinkansen seats are numbered and lettered similarly to airline seats.
Riding on Shinkansen Trains
Just like on public transport in Australia, there are manners you should observe when riding Shinkansen trains in Japan:
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Keep your voice down when you’re having a conversation;
Turn your phone to silent mode;
Have consideration for the person behind you when reclining your seat;
Don’t block aisles with your luggage.
Small food carts with a variety of snacks, drinks and boxed meals (bento) pass along the aisles at regular intervals on most Shinkansen
trains. Some also have drink vending machines. Wi-Fi is available on the newest Shinkansen trains between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka and will
progressively become available on others. However, you need to buy a subscription or a 1-day pass before you board the train to be able to
access this Wi-Fi.
Multiple toilet and wash room facilities are available on all Shinkansen trains, with some being gender-specific. Most toilets are Western style
and many modern Shinkansen trains also have disabled toilet facilities.
Smoking is not allowed on most Shinkansen trains, although a few older models allow smoking in small designated areas.
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