On Japanese trains

Unlike European trains, Japanese trains do not provide much space for large suitcases. Large cases can generally be stored behind the last seats at each end of the car. And your smaller items of luggage can of course be stored above your seat.

New : From May 2020 If the sum of the height, width and length of your luggage is greater than 160 cm from your luggage, it will be necessary to reserve a seat near the storage area if you travel with the shinkansen on Tokaido, Sanyo or Kyushu lines.

Reservations will be possible from April 2020.

 In any case, a piece of luggage whose sum of dimensions is greater than 250 cm is not allowed in the shinkansen. We advise you to use the luggage transport service Ta-Q-Bin.
Learn more about transporting luggage in Japan here.

When you are travelling in the daytime, consider using the train to take a tour.

This will give you exceptional views of Mount Fuji when travelling to Tokyo from Kyoto, in particular if you are sitting on the left (which corresponds to seats in row E).

The same applies when travelling to Kanazawa from Kyoto to see Lake Biwa (sitting on the left).

On local trains and on certain Limited Express trains, the train driver's cabin is see-through and provides panoramic views of the landscape. This is the place to be.

For example, when crossing the inland sea from Honshu to Shikoku, the first 2 seats on the right behind the driver provide an impressive view of the inland sea.

All long-distance trains have comfortable reclining seats.

The seats can be turned round by 180°C; as well as enabling you to always be facing forwards, these seats will enable you to travel in a group easily by forming 'squares'.

The trains all have Western-style toilets and you can make telephone calls on most trains.

A smoking area is often available between the cars.

Peak times in Japan are between 7 am and 9 am and 5 pm and 7 pm. Most trains are generally overcrowded at these times, which makes it very difficult to move around with large items of luggage. Let 's see how to avoid crowded train !

You will never go hungry on a Japanese train. Major stations offer a wide range of ekiben which often contain a local speciality.

Additionally, if you haven't had time to buy a bento, there is a regular trolley service in the cars (except for local trains). Enjoying a delicious ekiben while you watch the scenery go by is one of the highlights of the trip.