Shinkansen
The highly efficient and comprehensive train system in Japan is renowned for its punctuality, speed, and flawless connectivity. Nevertheless, securing train tickets in Japan can appear somewhat challenging, regardless of whether you are an experienced traveler or a first-time visitor. The Shinkansen, commonly known as the “bullet train,” stands as a source of national pride in Japan and exemplifies the nation’s technological expertise. Stretching across the entire country, these rail lines link significant urban centers, providing passengers with a swift, effective, and picturesque means of travel. They can reach speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour.
Why choose the Shinkansen?
The Shinkansen stands as a rapid and convenient mode of transportation for intercity travel in Japan. If you start your journey at Tokyo Station, you can reach Osaka in slightly over 2.5 hours by utilizing the fastest bullet train service. With top speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph), the Shinkansen will swiftly transport you between your starting point (Point A) and your destination (Point B), no matter where that maybe, in a remarkably short amount of time. The Shinkansen has broken some real safety records. It has carried more than 10 billion passengers with zero fatalities due to collisions, derailment or any other accidents in all these years since the launch in 1964 during the time of the Tokyo Olympics. Well this bullet train is the most comfortable mode of transport rather than flying in economy class or any bus. Also, it is very convenient and cheaper sometimes if you take advantage of the Japan rail pass. Last interesting thing is, you do not have to carry heavy luggage with you hours before.
Tokaido Shinkansen is a huge chain of trains which runs an average number of 323 trains in one day from Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Kyoto and Nagoya. This also has many different routes around Japan, and yet it has never been late for a minute or more. This bullet train runs along the main island of Japan and covers it’s length in no time. The Shinkansen covers the Hakodate of southern Hokkaido and it stretches down to the last point of Kyushu.
Leave low carbon emissions
The Shinkansen and all the latest generation trains are very well-equipped with sustainability and emits low carbon gas as compared to other forms of transport. Shinkansen is powered by electricity and hence it emits very less carbon emissions which is 0.0093kg per seat and per km whereas JR train runs 0.019kg per hours, twice as much. As of now most of the nuclear power stations in Japan are offline so much of the Shinkansen runs off electricity sourced partly from fossil fuels. Japan runs a mix of renewable gas, fossil fuels and nuclear. Either way, the Shinkansen runs, it still the last and good option for long distance travelling which produces less carbon emissions.
Single ticket vs Japan rail pass
If you have selected the Shinkansen as your travel choice, then you need to be smart enough which is the best option to book the single ticket from klook or any other website or opt for JR rail pass. In addition to the JR pass which works countrywide, it has a lot of pass options from regional to national. These kinds of passes help us to travel to some far away parts of the country, like Tohuku to Hokkaido. If you are planning for a trip for one or two days then the single way ticket is a go to as JR pass (national and regional) might not be applicable, it is only actionable when doing more than 1or several long distance trip. For eg, if you are travelling from Tokyo to Osaka, the single route will cost INR 9000 and round trip would be around INR 18,000. On the other hand, 7 day Japan rail pass is costed around 50,000 Yen. Also, you have to pay extra to reserve your seat, but it is free if you have a JR rail pass. Lastly, this pass is only eligible to foreigners holding passport with temporary visit.
Standard car vs Green car on Shinkansen
Till now all the prices mentioned were for standard class on Shinkansen. There are also green class which is a business class and the other one is gran class which is the first class that is only available on latest trains with selected routes. For both of these, you have to upgrade your seats by paying more. For eg, your journey from Tokyo to Osaka is costing you INR 18,000, so about INR 2000-3000 more expensive. The green car and gran car are more royal defining similar features like more leg room, serene atmosphere, you will be having a more open environment and seats are more plushier.
Buying and using Japan rail pass
To get a Japan rail pass or any other regional passes, then you have to purchase it online prior you reach Japan. Then after arriving, simply exchange the order at any major train stations and get the pass. This process is that simple and straightforward. Then you can easily start your journey by activating your pass at the time of the journey and reserving a seat, also Japan pass holders dont have to pay any extra fee for it.
For reserving seats:
If you want to reserve a seat for you on the Shinkansen then you have to go to Midori no Madoguchi, a green counter an office at a major train station or you can also go to designated JR travel service counter, the staff there will guide and do the rest of the needed thing. You can always skip the step to reserve the seat as the Shinkansen has different carriage for unreserved passengers. It is much cheaper and if you have extra time for the longer journey then do opt for the slower version of Shinkansen (Kodoma) which stops at every Shinkansen stop and also saves money. But it is not highly recommended as throughout the journey you have to stand between the seats. Japan rail pass holder can opt for all Shinkansen, which includes two of the fastest route Nozomi and Mizuho. Mrinally other models are slower but you can still reach Tokyo to Osaka in 3 hours from a Hikari Shinkansen.
Luggage on the go, charges and fines
A Few years ago, bringing extra luggage on the Shinkansen was limited on certain routes in Japan. Lugguage that is 160cm or up to 250cm requires its own reservation so it should be booked in prior. The measurement given should be combined with width, height, and length. This policy doesn’t apply on strollers, bikes, wheelchairs, musical instruments, or any other sports equipment. Well you can make a reservation for them if it is needed. Although those which can be folded are allowed in the overhead luggage racks or can not be boarded.
What train lines are affected?
The luggage rules are only limited to the particular routes like the Tokaido Shinkansen which is between Tokyo and Osaka including Kyoto, the San’yo Shinkansen which is between Shin Osaka, Fukuaka, including Himeji and Hiroshima, Kyushu Shinkansen which is between Hakata and Kagoshima.
How to reserve space for bag?
As we discussed earlier, reserving the spot for your luggage does not require the additional charges but for reserving a seat does require an extra fee, which is a few bucks more from the unreserved seats on Shinkansen. This will allow you to book an area for your luggage and the specially designed and curated luggage sections are there certainly at the back of the carriage. If this place fills up then you are taken to green car or you could try reserving in the green car (business class) afterwards.
What happens when you dont reserve?
If you failed to reserve for goods then you might have to pay a fine of 1000 Yen and then you have to upgrade to reserve you haven’t done it. It is actually unclear what will happen if there are no spaces left. You either have to wait for the next train or abandon the luggage and move on with the journey. The rules in Japan are very strict and cohesive.
Fun Shinkansen facts!
There are a lot of fun facts about the Shinkansen:
- The English welcome message which we hear on boarding the Shinkansen is recorded by the Australian singer Donna Burke.
- Ever hoped the meaning of Shinkansen is not really up to the mark? The Shinkansen means ‘new trunk line’.
- All Shinkansen have toilets and overhead luggage racks.
- There is a WIFI available on all Shinkansen and it is open as well, use VPN for security purpose.
- The shinkansen has a food cart which roam around a few times in the journey. But getting food from outside is the cheaper way of enjoying the train with food.
- More routes have been opened up and a lot more better version trains are being built. The maglev version is being made which is a fully electrical version which is destined to work between Tokyo and Nagoya and its debut will happen in 2027. This will also reduce the journey time to an hour between the two cities.
- The cleaning crew efficiently ensures the entire train is spotless within just seven minutes upon reaching its final destination. They also adjust the seats, allowing passengers to face forward, with the option to flip them back if traveling in a group and wishing to engage with friends.
