Baggage Restrictions To Be Introduced On Shinkansen Lines

This service includes sponsored advertisements.

From May 2020, luggage larger than 160 cm in size can be taken with no additional fee on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines only with prior reservation. Luggage larger than 251 cm cannot be taken on the Shinkansen whatsoever.

Latest update : 2019.09.06

Booking Needed for Suitcases Larger than 160 cm

Baggage Restrictions To Be Introduced On Shinkansen Lines

Baggage restrictions will be introduced on the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines from May 2020.

If the sum of the height, length, and width of your suitcase exceeds 160 cm and is within 250 cm, you'll be required to book a place for it in the special luggage area that will be introduced in bullet train cars from May 2020. No additional fee is required. However, without prior booking, travelers will have to pay a fee of 1,000 yen for each suitcase they bring in the car.

The luggage area booking can be done online starting from April 2020 on the JR Tokai (Tokaido Line), JR WEST (Sanyo Line) or JR Kyushu (Kyushu Line) websites. The procedures can also be made at any JR ticket office (Madori no Madoguchi) in Japan.

Luggage that exceeds the size of 251 cm is not allowed on these three Shinkansen lines whatsoever. Please consider sending it to the destination or to the airport using a delivery service company such as Yamato Transport or Sagawa Express. The delivery arrangements can be made at your hotel.

Picture from Shinkansen - How To Buy Bullet Train Tickets

Refer to our article on Shinkansen ticket reservations to learn more about the procedures needed in the case of bullet train tickets. If you plan to use the Japan Rail Pass, check this article for additional information.

Read also

Written by

MATCHA-NEWS

Let MATCHA share with you the latest information on Japan travel, tourist attractions, food, and entertainment.

The information presented in this article is based on the time it was written. Note that there may be changes in the merchandise, services, and prices that have occurred after this article was published. Please contact the facility or facilities in this article directly before visiting. Some of our articles contain affiliate links. We kindly ask our readers to exercise careful judgement when making a purchase or booking a service online.