Luggage rules on the shinkansen with a JR Pass

• Up to two pieces of luggage per passenger.
• Each piece under 160 cm total (length plus width plus height) and under 30 kg counts as normal luggage with no reservation needed.
• Use the overhead rack or the space behind the back row of seats.

Bags between 160 cm and 250 cm total need a free oversized baggage reservation, available with your JR Pass. Without it, expect a 1,000 yen surcharge on board.

Bags over 250 cm total are not allowed at all on the shinkansen.

• Behind the last row of seats, first come first served on regular tickets.
• Dedicated oversized baggage area at the end of certain cars, reserved seat required.
• Overhead rack for small bags and backpacks.

• Use luggage forwarding (takkyubin) from your hotel to the next, around 2,000 yen per bag.
• Coin lockers at major stations fit suitcases for around 700 yen per day.
• Plan the day so you do not need to change trains with all your bags.