Shinkansen seating
Shinkansen seat numbers follow the same logic on almost every line, so once you can read one seat map you can pick a good seat anywhere in Japan. Here is how the layout works and which seats are worth asking for.
On the Tokaido shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, Fuji appears on the right hand side heading west, so ask for seats D or E. Heading east towards Tokyo, sit on the left, which is seats A and B. The view lasts a few minutes between Shin-Fuji and Mishima.
On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu shinkansen, bags over 160 cm in total dimensions must go in a reserved oversized baggage area behind the last row. That reservation is free if you make it in advance and costs 1,000 yen if you board without one. See our guide on shinkansen luggage rules for the limits.
Quick answers to common questions.
Seats D and E travelling west from Tokyo, or A and B travelling east towards Tokyo, on the Tokaido line.
Ordinary cars are 2+3, Green Cars are 2+2, and GranClass is 1+2.
No. Reservations on covered trains are free and you can make as many as you like.
Overhead racks fit cabin size bags. Larger cases go behind the last row, and on some lines that space must be reserved.
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