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What GranClass offers
- 1 plus 2 leather seats with full recline.
- Attendant service.
- Meals and drinks included on selected runs.
- Quiet, 18 seat cabin at the end of the train.
Premium travel
GranClass shinkansen and the JR Pass explained
GranClass is the first class cabin on selected shinkansen in eastern and northern Japan. It is more luxurious than the green car but the JR Pass does not cover it on its own. Here is how it works.
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Which trains have GranClass
- Tohoku shinkansen Hayabusa to Aomori and Hakodate.
- Hokkaido shinkansen continuation to Shin Hakodate Hokuto.
- Joetsu and Hokuriku shinkansen on selected runs to Niigata and Kanazawa.
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How JR Pass holders use GranClass
The JR Pass does not include GranClass. To ride it you keep the pass valid as your base ticket and pay the difference at the station: a limited express upgrade plus a GranClass supplement. The supplement is roughly 10,000 to 15,000 yen for the Tokyo to Aomori run depending on whether meals are served.
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Is it worth it
- Special occasion long ride: yes, the cabin and service are memorable.
- Short hops under 2 hours: usually not, no meal is served on short runs.
- Bigger group travelling together: green car is more sociable.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Is GranClass free with the JR Pass?
No. The pass only covers the base shinkansen fare. You pay the GranClass supplement on top.
Which is better, green car or GranClass?
Green car is included in the green JR Pass and very comfortable. GranClass adds attendants and meals on long Tohoku runs but costs extra.
Can I upgrade on the day?
Yes if seats are available, at any JR ticket office or some ticket machines.
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