Where should you sit in the Shinkansen non-reserved car? Also, tips on how to increase your chances of getting a seat.

When riding the Shinkansen, you might choose unreserved seats to save money.

In this article, we’ll quickly explain how to “increase your chances of getting a seat in the Shinkansen unreserved cars.”

Choose Even-Numbered Cars, Such as Car 2

Unlike conventional trains, Shinkansen cars are equipped with facilities such as restrooms.

Cars with these facility spaces have fewer seats, while cars without facility spaces have more seats available.

If the even-numbered cars are unreserved seat cars, keeping this in mind will “slightly” increase your chances of getting a seat.

Choose Cars Farther from the Stairs

The length of train cars differs between conventional trains and the Shinkansen.

For example, if you walk from the stairs to Car 1, which is an unreserved car on the Tokaido Shinkansen “Nozomi,” you will walk approximately 150 meters. Most people naturally prefer not to walk all the way to the far end where there are more unreserved cars.

Choose Unreserved Cars with Higher Car Numbers

Usually, Shinkansen unreserved seats are assigned to cars with lower numbers, such as Cars 1 to 3.

It is also recommended to deliberately aim for these double-digit car numbers.

Generally, people think of unreserved seats as being in Cars 1 to 5, so unreserved seats in double-digit cars may be less crowded than you expect.

Choose Shinkansen Trains Departing from Intermediate Stations

There are many Shinkansen trains that start from intermediate stations along the route.

• Tokaido Shinkansen: Trains departing from Shin-Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kokura, (early morning) Shin-Yokohama, and Mishima
• Tohoku Shinkansen: Trains departing from Nasushiobara, Sendai, and Morioka

Major stations or stations with a train depot often serve as starting points for these trains, making it relatively easier to find available seats.

Avoid Trains Departing at Easy-to-Remember Times Like 00 or 30 Minutes Past the Hour

Trains departing at convenient times, such as 00 or 30 minutes past the hour, tend to be more crowded.

Because departure times like 00, 10, or 20 minutes are easy to remember, people are more likely to choose these times. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid trains at such easy-to-remember times whenever possible.

Choose the Middle Seat in a Row of Three

The Shinkansen seating layout is 2 seats + 3 seats, and the least popular seat is the middle seat in the row of three, the “B seat”.

• There are people on both sides
• It’s harder to get out to the restroom
• You need to be considerate of the person on the aisle

For these reasons, the B seat is not popular, but deliberately choosing it can be one strategy.

Although this seat is not popular, the slightly wider space on both sides makes it a good last-resort option.

What to Do If All Shinkansen Unreserved Seats Are Full

There are two ways to handle this situation.

Stand in the Deck Area

Standing in the deck area is the best option. If possible, it’s more comfortable to wait in the deck at the rear of the car in the direction of travel, as you won’t feel as self-conscious under the gaze of seated passengers.

Move to the End of the Train Cars

If the car you first board is full, try checking other unreserved cars for available seats. Even if the first car is crowded, you may unexpectedly find empty seats in the neighboring cars.

Location of Shinkansen Unreserved Seats

Shinkansen Without Unreserved Seats

The above Shinkansen trains do not have unreserved seats, so you cannot board without a reserved seat ticket.

Boarding an All-Reserved Shinkansen Without a Reserved Seat Ticket

When all-reserved Shinkansen trains are fully booked, a Standing-Only Limited Express Ticket is issued as a special measure.

With a standing-only ticket, you are allowed to board even an all-reserved Shinkansen train.

Shinkansen Trains with Unreserved Seats

Where Should You Sit in the Shinkansen Unreserved Cars?

If you have a non-reserved seat limited express ticket for your destination, you can sit anywhere you like in the unreserved cars of Shinkansen trains that offer unreserved seating.

• If you want to enjoy the view, relax by the window.
• If you need to charge your phone, use a window seat with a power outlet.
• If you think you’ll need the restroom often (for example, after drinking beer), choose an aisle seat near the end of the car.

Please sit wherever you prefer.