top of page
Search

How To Reserve Space for Oversized Luggage on the Shinkansen

Updated: Dec 2, 2025


Since 2019, JR Central, the Shinkansen operator, announced the implementation of a new system to reserve luggage space for passengers with “extra-large luggage or baggage.” This initiative was introduced in anticipation of the expected increase in foreign tourists during the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.


This system applies to the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines for baggage classified as 'extra-large.' This means luggage where the sum of its width, height, and depth exceeds 160 cm.


However, a recent report (August 2024) from a Shinkansen passenger highlighted an issue: the reserved luggage space was completely filled by other people's bags, packed so tightly that the passenger couldn't even recline their seat. This created significant inconvenience, despite the clear rules being in place.

 

Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Japan and intend to use the Shinkansen, you might be concerned about whether you need to reserve space for your suitcase. Bbag has summarized the travel steps in an easy-to-understand format.



1. Check Your Travel Route


If you plan to use any of the following Shinkansen lines, you must reserve a seat that includes space for oversized luggage:

  • Tokaido Shinkansen: Operates between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, including Shinkansen stations in Kyoto.

  • Sanyo Shinkansen: Operates between Shin-Osaka and Hakata, Fukuoka, and includes stations like Himeji and Hiroshima.

  • Kyushu Shinkansen: Operates between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo.


These routes cover major cities from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, down to the final stop at Kagoshima.


The remaining Shinkansen routes still allow large bags to be brought on board without reserving dedicated luggage space.



2. Calculate Your Luggage Size to Determine If It’s Oversized



According to the rules, Oversized Baggage is any suitcase where the sum of its height + depth + width exceeds 160 cm. In terms of volume, this roughly corresponds to a larger 30-inch suitcase.


This figure is, in fact, similar to the extra-large luggage size limit set by various airlines. Baggage exceeding 250 cm is not permitted on the train. If absolutely necessary, you should use a luggage delivery service instead.


 

 

JR Central has prepared a dedicated area for extra-large baggage on the Shinkansen. This space is located behind the last row of seats in the car. If you wish to use this area to store your luggage, you must make a reservation through the internet, a ticket vending machine, or at a ticket counter before boarding. If reserved in advance, there is no additional fee. However, if you bring extra-large baggage onto the train without a prior reservation, you will incur a fee of 1,000 JPY.



3. Reserve Your Luggage Space


Finally, if you are traveling on the specified routes and have a large bag, you must reserve luggage space before your journey.


This requires booking a Reserved Seat and notifying a JR staff member that you have oversized baggage, either at a counter inside the train station or through the online system.


Booking a Shinkansen seat with oversized luggage space will automatically include the reserved space for your suitcase. This means you proceed with your standard seat reservation and do not need to make a separate storage reservation.

You can easily reserve a seat and oversized luggage space via the ticket vending machines at JR stations by following these steps:


  1. Click 'Reserve seat with coupon ticket'.

  2. Insert the JR Pass of all passengers.

  3. Select the route, date, and time.

  4. Click 'Confirm' when prompted that 'It is necessary to reserve space for oversized baggage for this route.'

  5. Click 'Seat with oversized baggage area'.

  6. Click 'Select from seat map'.

  7. Choose your preferred train and seat.

  8. Don't forget to retrieve your JR Pass and Reservation Ticket.


Online Reservation:


The seats provided will be at the end of the train car, next to the entrance/exit doors, as these seats have extra space on the floor for large bags.


For those who do not reserve in advance, a fee of 1,000 JPY per bag will be charged.

Comments

bottom of page