Getting around
How to ride the shinkansen (reserved vs non-reserved)
One choice decides everything: a reserved seat or a non-reserved one. This is what each means once you're on the platform.
- 1Know your two ticket pieces: a basic fare ticket plus a limited-express (shinkansen) ticket. Both go through the gate together — feed them in at the same time.
- 2Non-reserved (自由席): sit anywhere, but only in the cars marked 自由席. No guaranteed seat — first come, first served. Cheaper, fine off-peak.
- 3Reserved (指定席): you get a specific car and seat number printed on the ticket. Board the car that matches your number.
- 4Find your spot on the platform. The floor and signs are marked with car numbers and door positions — line up there before the train arrives.
Heads up. Don't sit in a 指定席 (reserved) seat without a reservation — someone holds that exact seat. If in doubt at a busy time, reserve; non-reserved cars fill up on holidays.
Good to know
- Green car is the first-class carriage — roomier, pricier, needs its own ticket.
- Big suitcase? On some lines the back-row seats with luggage space need to be reserved in advance.
Want the why?
This is just how to work it. If you’re curious what’s actually going on: