Reserved, non-reserved and all-reserved: what do they mean?#
| Term | What it means for you | Before boarding |
|---|---|---|
| Reserved seat | You have an assigned seat on a specific train. | Match the date, train, car, row and seat letter on the issued ticket. |
| Non-reserved seat | No particular seat is assigned; a seat may not be available. | Check that your train has non-reserved cars and your pass covers that service and class. |
| All-reserved train | There is no ordinary non-reserved car to choose instead. | Arrange the required reservation or ask staff about permitted alternatives before boarding. |
Ordinary versus Green is a class distinction, not a synonym for non-reserved versus reserved. An Ordinary car can have reserved seats. A Green pass also does not create a reservation by itself. Use the official seat guide and car-class coverage table, then follow the reservation steps. For the station process, continue to finding your platform, car and seat.
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Can I bring two suitcases and a backpack on the Shinkansen?#
Do not assume three large bags are allowed. JR Central permits two carry-on items, each up to 30 kg, with combined length, width and height no more than 250 cm and length no more than 2 m. Small items kept on hand, such as a purse, are excluded from the two-item count.
A large travel backpack is not automatically a small personal item. If you need two suitcases plus a substantial backpack, confirm the arrangement with staff or reduce/forward luggage. Bag-count limits and oversized baggage reservations are separate checks. Official carry-on limits.
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Do not overlook baggage reservations#
| Total of three bag dimensions | What to check on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen |
|---|---|
| 160 cm or less | Use suitable space such as the overhead rack or area by your feet. Check that space is available and the bag can be stowed safely. |
| Over 160 cm and up to 250 cm | Reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area in advance. A normal reserved-seat booking with a pass does not itself guarantee that space. |
| Over 250 cm | Not permitted on board. Consider luggage delivery or another solution. |
Do not confuse trials allowing unreserved use of certain deck storage areas with oversized baggage rules. For bags over 160 cm, check the relevant seat reservation conditions. Strollers, musical instruments and sports equipment have exceptions; consult JR Central’s Shinkansen baggage guide.
Continue to seat reservation steps for the booking process and national-pass train exceptions for Nozomi and Mizuho special tickets.
Two measured suitcases: which one needs a baggage seat?#
Use the actual outside dimensions of each packed bag. These hypothetical measurements illustrate the rule for the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen:
| Bag | Three dimensions added | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Suitcase A | 70 + 45 + 25 = 140 cm | No oversized-baggage seat is required by size alone. Choose appropriate storage and check that the bag can be stowed safely. |
| Suitcase B | 80 + 50 + 35 = 165 cm | Reserve the designated seat with an oversized baggage area before travelling. |
Check each bag separately; do not add the two bag totals together. Exactly 160 cm stays in the smaller-size category, while over 160 cm triggers the oversized rule. Count and weight limits still apply to both bags, and neither measurement guarantees physical space in an overhead rack. Official size categories and storage rules.
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How much does oversized baggage cost on the Shinkansen?#
On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, reserving a seat with an oversized baggage area has no extra baggage reservation fee. The appropriate train ticket or pass is still required. Bringing oversized baggage without the required reservation incurs a ¥1,000 charge and staff will direct its storage.
This applies to bags over 160 cm and up to 250 cm in combined dimensions. Paying the charge does not make a bag over the permitted maximum acceptable. JR Central’s luggage rules and charges.
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Variable facts checked: 2026-10-24. Next editorial review due: 2026-11-23. This is a review reminder, not a validity guarantee.
Which seats have an oversized baggage area?#
Select the specifically labelled oversized-baggage seat option in the booking system. These seats are at the back of designated cars; the space behind them is shared by passengers who reserved the associated seats. An ordinary back-row booking is not proof that you booked the required space.
Check the train’s seat map and baggage designation together. If those seats are unavailable, compare another departure or arrange luggage forwarding. Official seat and baggage-space explanation.
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Distinguish train service from car class#
- Match the travel class
- Choose the seat position
- Check luggage arrangements
- Review supplements and limits
Ordinary and Green passes have different conditions. Answering “Is the Shinkansen free?” without specifying the train service and car class can overlook required special tickets and supplements.
Check more than the window view#
Check the direction of travel, actual train formation, seating plan, window position and proximity to your companions first. The same seat number does not give the same view on every train. Without checking the actual layout, no particular seat can be recommended as a guaranteed best view.