Shinkansen Luggage Rules: No More Confusion! 

Thanks for your kindness!

Yeah, I've seen this happening more and more too. I'd like know how many luggage-related accidents happen on the shinkansen.

You're kind to say so!

You are welcome

Yes, make the booking 2 weeks beforehand and don't stress about it. Forwarding your luggage to the airport from the hotel is the lowest stress option. You need to send it 2 days before your flight, but you're saved the hassle of lugging it back. You then pick it up (usually) on the same floor as the departure desks in the airport. In the past, I've picked mine up about 10 metres away from my check in desk! How's that for handy! Most hotels will help you with this, go to the desk and say "tack Q bin onegaishimasu" and you get to fill out a form that has English, don't worry. More information here: www.global-yamato.com/en/hands-free-travel/

@@japanunravelled this is awesome, thanks so much! earned my sub for this one

I'm afraid there's no Gran Class between Osaka and Kyoto.

You're very welcome. 1. On trains, you need to put your bicycle completely inside a bag. Usually this means removing the wheels too. You should reserve seats at the ends of cars to store it whatever train you use. With buses, rules vary a lot, so check the company website because it will say in the baggage rules if bicycles are allowed. Often, it's not, but it's worth checking. 2. I'll be making a video about this at some point, but for now, there are two methods for riding the Sunrise. First, if you buy your JR pass direct from JR, you should be able to book a nobi nobi "berth" using the online booking system. I may be wrong though. If booking through a travel agency, you run the risk of nobi nobi not being available when you arrive in Japan and go to book. Alternatively, and I highly recommend this route, book one of the cheaper compartments using this page. www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/route_search/ Thanks to the umpteen videos made about this train, it's a nightmare to book it right now, so get on it as soon as reservations open to you 1 month before the train departs. However, because your JR pass covers the basic fare, don't purchase it - only get the limited express and compartment tickets. I'm not sure if you can get the nobi nobi seats for free this way - I expect it might be a bit involved. 3. This very much depends on the city you're in. I'm very cavalier with my city bicycle, but then I know what the bicycle cops are likely to do, but with you, I'd recommend using the designated parking facilities for bicycles. Kyoto has tonnes, sometimes they are manned, sometimes you just wheel your bike into a rack and it locks it. You then unlock it later via a ticket machine. My trick if I'm not sure if there'll be parking available is to look on Google Maps street view. It's a bit tough to answer this question generally, but I hope it helps.

@@japanunravelled Again, I'm super appreciative of all of the information! Thank you! Little follow up question: What kind of bag does the bicycle need to be in? Is it a specific one? Could it be a garbage bag? I have one that I will be using to fly with, but taking the bike apart that far is kind of annoying and I'd rather not for a day trip.

No problem. Most people use proper bike bags, although I have seen a bike just covered with a garbage bag on the subway. If we go with JR's rules, though, probably won't work, and also looks like you won't have a lot of choice about taking it apart: "Bicycles used for cycling and sports tournaments are disassembled and placed in bike travel bags. Folding bicycles are folded and placed in bike travel bags." from: global.jr-central.co.jp/en/tickets/type/belongings.html

Not a shinkansen so these rules don't apply. Reserve seats at the front or the rear though as you can put your luggage there.

Very allowed and very usable!

Exactly why I made it! Have fun!

That's fine!

@@japanunravelled cool thank u

According to this page, you'll be over the allowed luggage limit whatever you do. global.jr-central.co.jp/en/info/oversized-baggage/index.html Do yourself a favour and either bring less or just use luggage forwarding.

Great question! I'd ask the conductor!

Either of those places are fine, but at that size, I'd really recommend reserving a seat to use the oversized baggage area.

@@japanunravelled Thank you so much for your helpful answer 👁🗼👁

Yes, it can probably go overhead. As for your other question: that would annoy the heck out of me - I'd never dream of trying that. Just reserve the special seats.

Maybe, but I think it would be sticking out quite a lot. Wouldn't want to try that myself...

Not especially, but they do book up.

Yes, you can. If you try reserving right before you travel (say 30-60 mins before) I've found sometimes I need to take a later train, since they've all gone. But on the day is of course possible. And it depends on whether it's a busy time of day too.

Good job on going to Aomori! 1. Osaka > Tokyo = required. Tokyo > Aomori, not required. Going north, it's more an unspoken rule that the rear seat occupants get to use that space. If it's in use and you didn't reserve those seats, don't be surprised. Rear seats do have windows. Some of the shinkansen north have luggage racks, but it depends on the train, so hard to predict. 2. You can't reserve use of the oversized baggage area without reserving a seat in the front or rear rows. Doing so would likely cause trouble with other passengers. That said, just recently I've seen numerous violations of the luggage rules and staff never asked for the 1000 yen fine.

@@japanunravelled thank you! I’m 100% confident traveling to Aomori now.

Try the overhead rack first.

You should be ok with the overhead shelf with that. Have fun!

When you measure all sides, like in the graphic, what's the total?

@@japanunravelled Oh, now I understand! The total of my luggage is 167cm

Ooh, that's a monster case! That's a mandatory oversized baggage area seat for you. With that case I recommend luggage forwarding from and back to the airport if possible with your schedule. Have a good trip!

@@japanunravelled Thanks so much for your quick and helpful replies!

I think if isn't one of those enormous ones, you should be OK.

No problem. The easiest way is probably to cancel and book a ticket with the luggage seat. Otherwise, you could visit a ticket office and get them to change it for you. Hope that helps!

@@japanunravelled thank you so much! And your video is great & helpful, can't wait for another review, such as about the different between JR, and so so 🙌

Less than 160 is no mandatory reservation time.

I think the Shinkansen stations all have lifts (I may be wrong of course, there are quite a lot of them). Conventional line stations without lifts DO exist - they tend to be out in the countryside.

Yes.

Forget the luggage reservations. We saw people on the train with gigantic suitcases tugged under their legs and on the overhead racks. Train conductors are not policing.

@@nateshf9303 We still reserved seats because even though our suitcases were under 160cm we felt it was very uncomfortable to have our suitcase around our legs. Heads up for anyone who wants to reserve a Shikansen oversized luggage seat: Reserver the seat 3 days prior or you'll be waking at 5am to catch a 6am Shikansen

Not knowing all the details, it's hard to say. But yes, you can get cases for about that much.

@@japanunravelled We’re planning to come to Tokyo first, go to Disney, then explore Tokyo for total of one week. Then take the train to Hakodate for 1 night, then travel to Sapporo for a week, and also visit Otaru. After that, we’re thinking of flying to Osaka from New Chitose airport. Explore Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto for the last week. Would it be too much to have one checked bag and one carry-on per person? Thank you so much!

Yes!

It's free when you reserve those specific seats.

Not required, no.

Haha, can relate! The rule started in 2020 I think, just before the Olympics was meant to happen. So you were totally fine. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Going from Tokyo to Kyoto

Normal ticket is fine.

Yamato generally keep anything you send with them only for a week. You might try asking your hotel if they'd accept the luggage a few days before you arrive, and if possible, just putting that as the desired delivery date when you send the luggage. Sorry I can't be of more help.

@@japanunravelled Actually, your suggestion of sending it to my hotel is a good one as I can inquire before booking that this can be done. Thanks!

Thanks! Same rules apply but fewer seats = more space in front of you.

@@japanunravelled thank you so much! ☺️

Yes!

@@japanunravelled thanks a zillion !!

If you're using a JR Pass, check my other videos for details. If not, this is a start: www.eki-net.com/en/jreast-train-reservation/Top/Index

Yes!

@@japanunravelled thank you, appreciate the answer!

30cm depth might be a bit uncomfortable. I'd be putting it on the shelf.

You can try, but you won't have any legroom.

You'll have no problem with space on the luggage rack in the green car!

Watch this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3lK00oAQsAI.html

What do you mean by "extra baggage"?

@@japanunravelled sorry I meant, if can I reserve a specific seat that will give me extra luggage room? From my understanding with the JR pass, you can get on any train without reserving a seat, however, this does not guarantee you will have space to store your luggage near you. So I wanted to find out how I can reserve seats with extra luggage space in advance and if I need to pay extra. Thanks for your reply!

I explained a bit more in this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-v4AQSL3dHOs.html You won't need to pay extra, but you will need to make reservations. You can do this online (if buying your pass from JR direct), at ticket machines or ticket offices. Ask for or hit the button for "oversized baggage area".

@@japanunravelled oh that's perfect thank you! Generally, would you say that there will be good seats available on the day? Or would you advise reserving a few days in advance

Depends a lot on what time of year you're travelling, and the day of the week. Good idea to reserve a few days in advance if you really need to guarantee the baggage area seats. However, there's this hack: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NPT57efk2GY.html

1. Not mandatory and 2. yes they do.

I'm glad it helped! If I were you, I'd reserve a seat for that area because it will make the journey so much smoother. Also - because what if you buy more things than usual?!

@@japanunravelled I just hope that my travel companion will stop me befor I even exceed the allowed Airplane luggage😂 But what if I can't get the last seats? Do you think it is possible to put lage 160cm suitcases above? btw thank you for answering!☺

Oh, that serious huh? 😂 I think the size is OK - it's more a question of can you lift it up there.

@@japanunravelled Well, let's just say we debate about the possibility that he will also get a secound suitcase at Japan that I don't need to pay for an extra luggage😂 but If that's the only Problem, I will be Hulk 💪🏻