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Non reserved cars
- First few cars on most shinkansen, marked with white signs.
- Just walk on, no booking.
- Risky on weekends, holidays and during Golden Week and Obon.
Seat strategy
Reserved vs non reserved seats on shinkansen: which to choose
With a JR Pass you can use both non reserved and reserved cars at no extra cost. Knowing when to reserve and when to walk up makes every ride easier.
02
Reserved cars
- Free reservation with your JR Pass at any ticket office or machine.
- Reserve up to one month in advance.
- Guaranteed seat with locked in train number and time.
03
When to reserve
- Long routes such as Tokyo to Hiroshima or Tokyo to Sapporo.
- Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
- Any train during peak holidays.
- When traveling with kids or luggage.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Does reserving a seat cost extra with a JR Pass?
No. Reservations are free for pass holders.
Can I just walk onto any shinkansen?
Yes, into non reserved cars. Avoid the reserved cars without a reservation.
How do I reserve a seat?
At any JR ticket office or green ticket machine. Show your pass.
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