How to use an oversized baggage compartment

Why do I need to make a reservation for the oversized baggage?

As the number of tourists has grown in recent years, the number of passengers with large baggage on Shinkansen trains has also increased. As demand for travel services recovers and increases, we expect the amount of large luggage carried on board will continue to increase. In preparation for this, we decided to introduce an advance reservation system whereby passengers traveling with luggage over a specified size must reserve baggage space together with their seat.

Can I reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area or an oversized baggage compartment even if I don't have oversized baggage?

Passengers who do not have oversized baggage can reserve these seats, for example if they require extra luggage space or are traveling with someone who has oversized baggage. However, due to their limited availability of these seats, passengers are advised to reserve other seats wherever possible.

Is it possible for any passenger to use the "oversized baggage area"?

That area is for passengers who have a ticket for a reserved "seat with an oversized baggage area" and may not be used by other passengers.

Is it possible to put baggage behind the last row of seats in trains where it is not designated as an "oversized baggage area"?

Personal items other than oversized baggage may be stored behind the last row of seats if the area is not designated as an "oversized baggage area". (However, to store oversized baggage, a reservation for a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area is required, and passengers must use the oversized baggage area.)
In addition, passengers are asked to keep their luggage near them at all times. Due to considerations such as preventing luggage theft, and comments from passengers in the back row that their seats cannot recline due to other people’s baggage behind them, it has been decided that, as a general rule, passengers seated in the back row will have priority in using the space behind their seats. Thank you for your cooperation.

Are there any changes to the rules regarding the weight limit and amount of baggage on Shinkansen trains?

No. You are still allowed to carry on two pieces of baggage weighing 30 kg or less and with total dimensions of 250 cm or less and a maximum length of 200 cm. However, you need to reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area or a seat with an oversized baggage compartment if you intend to travel with oversized baggage. Please note that you may store one piece of baggage with maximum dimensions of 80 x 60 x 40 cm in an oversized baggage compartment.

Do I need an advance reservation to bring "oversized baggage" onto conventional line trains, just as for Shinkansen?

No. Reservations are only required on Tokaido / Sanyo / Kyushu / Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen trains.

What should I do when traveling with a stroller, sports equipment or a musical instrument?

The oversized baggage rules do not apply to strollers, sports equipment (bicycles, etc.) or musical instruments. However, a reservation is required if you wish to use an oversized baggage area or an oversized baggage compartment.

Which cars have seats with an oversized baggage area or an oversized baggage compartment? How many such seats does a train have?

See below for details on the number of seats and applicable car in the case of the Tokaido Shinkansen (all trains are 16-car sets):
(Seats with an oversized baggage area: Seats with baggage area. Seats with an oversized baggage compartment: Seats with baggage compartment)
Nozomi: 57 seats with baggage area (Green cars：12, ordinary cares：45)
10 seats with baggage compartment (Green cars: 2, ordinary cars: 8)
Hikari: 42 seats with baggage area (Green cars：12, ordinary cars：30)
8 seats with baggage compartment (Green cars: 2, ordinary cars: 6)
Kodama: 17 seats with baggage area (Green cars：12, ordinary cars：5)
2 seats with baggage compartment (Green cars: 2, ordinary cars: 0)
* When ordinary car reserved seats are in cars 7, 11 and 12
See the diagrams below for further details.
Please check the Sanyo Shinkansen, Kyushu Shinkansen, and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen websites for details about their trains and cars.

		No. of seats	Cars
Seats with an oversized baggage area	Ordinary cars	45	Cars 3 to 6, 12 to 16 (5 in each car)
	Green cars	12	Cars 8 to 10 (4 in each car)
Seats with an oversized baggage compartment	Ordinary cars	8	Cars 4, 6, 13 and 15 (2 in each car)
	Green car	2	Car 9 (2)

• On the Tokaido Shinkansen, seats are designated from both ordinary reserved seats and Green car seats on Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama trains.

Roughly how much baggage can I store on the Shinkansen luggage rack or at my feet?

Tokaido Shinkansen luggage racks offer space stretching back approx. 42 cm, so baggage with total dimensions of 160 cm or less (e.g. 30 x 50 x 80) can generally be stored in the luggage rack.
How much foot space there is in an ordinary car depends on the individual passenger, but baggage with total dimensions of 120 cm or less (e.g. 25 x 40 x 55) can generally be placed by your feet.
Green car seats have footrests so baggage is mainly stored in the luggage rack.
If the shape or weight of your baggage would make it difficult to store in the luggage rack or by your feet, you should reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area so that you can store your baggage behind the last row seats.

What should I do if my baggage would be hard to lift up to the luggage rack?

If the shape or weight of your baggage would make it difficult to store in the luggage rack or by your feet, you should reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area so that you can store your baggage behind the last row seats.
If you have not reserved a seat with an oversized baggage area, please store your baggage near you, for example by your feet, so that you do not inconvenience other passengers.
If you ask the cabin crew, they will help you to put your baggage on the luggage rack and lift it down afterwards.
However, they can only help you as long as it does not interfere with their other duties. Please be aware that they may not always be able to help you while you are getting on or off the train.

What happens if all the seats with an oversized baggage area and all the seats with an oversized baggage compartment are taken?

If you are traveling with oversized baggage, please reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area or a seat with an oversized baggage compartment on another train.
Seats with an oversized baggage area and seats with an oversized baggage compartment have primarily been designated for the use of passengers with oversized baggage. A sufficient number of seats have been set aside for passengers with oversized baggage, but we recommend that you reserve one well in advance since some trains do get crowded. (Like other reserved seats, they are available one month in advance.)

Are there any tickets for which an oversized baggage area or an oversized baggage compartment cannot be reserved?

In principle you can reserve one for any ticket where it is possible to reserve a seat.

Can I board any train I want if I pay the carry-on fee once I’m aboard?

If you bring oversized baggage aboard a train without a reservation, you will have to pay the carry-on fee and store the baggage in a space designated by the conductor.
If the seats are all full, you will be asked to make a reservation for another train to avoid inconveniencing other passengers.

Why must I pay the oversized baggage carry-on fee if I have not made a reservation for oversized baggage?

This service was launched because of the increasing number of passengers, including visitors from overseas, who board Shinkansen trains with oversized baggage. Making a reservation enables passengers to secure baggage space near their seat before commencing their journey, and it also enables passengers to board and disembark more smoothly since their baggage is stored in a space near the door.
In addition, it makes the trip more pleasant for passengers who do not have oversized baggage with them, and ensures that they too can board and disembark smoothly.
If you bring oversized baggage onto the train without a reservation, you will be asked to store it in a space designated by the conductor in order to avoid inconveniencing other passengers, and a carry-on fee is charged accordingly. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

What should I do if I absolutely must board a particular train?

We understand that circumstances may be complicated, but we ask you to make an advance reservation if you have oversized baggage that cannot be stored in the luggage rack.

What should I do if I want to take a Kodama, on the Tokaido Shinkansen (between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka), where all the ordinary cars have non-reserved seats?

Kodamas where all the ordinary cars have non-reserved seats are primarily operated during time periods when most of the passengers are commuters. However, at regular intervals we run trains for which you can reserve seats with an oversized baggage area and seats with an oversized baggage compartment in ordinary cars , which may be of use to passengers on business trips, etc. Please use such trains, or a Green car.
Please check the Sanyo Shinkansen and Kyushu Shinkansen and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen websites for details about their trains and cars.

How do I make a Shinkansen reservation for a wheelchair user?

When you reserve a wheelchair seat, please include the information that you will bring oversized baggage with you.

Please tell me more about personal effects for which there is no charge.

JR allows passengers to bring two pieces of baggage weighing 30 kg or less and with total dimensions of 250 cm or less (and no longer than 200 cm) onto the train as portable personal effects for which there is no charge.
Personal effects such as umbrellas, walking sticks and handbags do not count.
Passengers can also bring with them sports equipment, recreational goods and musical instruments which are of a length that can be carried onto the train and stood in the car in their bag or case, even if they do exceed the length limit.
Wheelchairs (in the case of electric wheelchairs, four-wheeled ones only) can be brought onto the train even if they are bulkier and heavier than the limits, as long as they are around 120 cm in length and height, and around 70 cm in breadth.
Please click here for further details about what can and cannot be brought aboard the train.

What should I do if I miss the train when I’ve booked a seat with an oversized baggage area or an oversized baggage compartment?

If you miss the train for your reserved seats, you may be able to use a non-reserved seat on the following train depending on your ticket, but you cannot take oversized baggage to a non-reserved seat. If you wish to bring oversized baggage onto the following train, please purchase a new reserved seat with oversized baggage area or reserved seat with oversized baggage compartment limited express ticket for the next train.

What should I do if my schedule changes after booking a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area or a reserved seat with an oversized baggage compartment?

Please change your reservation before boarding. If you have not reserved a seat with an oversized baggage area or a seat with an oversized baggage compartment, you are not allowed to bring oversized baggage onto the train.

We plan to start similar service on Tokaido-Sanyo-Kyushu Shinkansen.
This service is to ensure passenger security, safety and convenience. Thank you for your cooperation.