Shinkansen Big Suitcase: Don't Board Without the Right Seat
On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, a bag whose three sides add up to more than 160 cm needs a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area. If you board with one unreserved, you pay a ¥1,000 fee, and the crew may direct you where to store it. Bags of 160 cm or less don't need this reservation.
The 28-second video, with Hako. Open on YouTube
The 3 things to know
Bags over 160 cm need a special seat
On the Tokaido Shinkansen, a bag whose three sides add up to more than 160 cm needs a special seat. The same rule covers the Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen.
Reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area
Book it in advance. Your bag is reserved together with a seat that has luggage space behind it.
Without one, you pay ¥1,000
Board with an oversized bag and no reservation, and you pay a ¥1,000 fee. The crew may direct you where to store it.
Quick answers
How do I measure my suitcase for the Shinkansen?
Add up its three sides: length, width and height. If the total is more than 160 cm, it counts as oversized baggage on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen.
Does a smaller suitcase need a reservation?
No. Bags of 160 cm or less in total don't need the oversized baggage reservation.
Can I bring a bag over 250 cm?
No. Bags whose three sides add up to more than 250 cm are not allowed on board.
Does this rule apply on every Shinkansen line?
Don't assume so. JR Central lists the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen. For other lines, check that operator's own rules before you travel.
Read the video transcript
Taking the Shinkansen with a big suitcase? Don't board without the right seat.
One. On the Tokaido Shinkansen, bags over one hundred sixty centimeters in total need a special seat.
Two. Reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area.
Three. Without one, you pay a one thousand yen fee, and the crew decides where it goes.
Bags under one hundred sixty centimeters need no reservation.
Sources & how we checked
The tips on this page were checked against these official pages:
- global.jr-central.co.jpJR Central - Oversized baggage
- trafficnews.jpTraffic News - Oversized baggage space on Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen
- Updated
- Video
- 28 seconds, made by Ready in Japan
- Good to know
- Rules can vary by place. Follow local signs and staff.
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