Can you bring big luggage on shinkansen

Short answer: Items with combined dimensions up to 160 cm fit free in overhead racks or behind seats; items with combined dimensions between 160 cm and 250 cm require a reserved seat with a large-baggage tag and a ¥1,000 per-item fee; items exceeding 250 cm cannot be transported onboard and must be sent via courier service.

How to secure space: When booking tickets online or at station ticket machines and JR ticket offices (Midori no Madoguchi), choose a reserved seat and select the large-item option if available. Staff can attach the special tag at the counter. Capacity for oversized cases is limited to specific seats or areas per car, so reserve as early as possible on popular services such as Nozomi, Mizuho and Hayabusa.

Packing and onboard placement tips: Sturdy hard-shell suitcases that sum under 160 cm should go on overhead racks or behind the last row of a car. For items in the 160–250 cm band, keep them upright in the designated spot and avoid blocking aisles or doors. If a case barely exceeds limits, consider redistributing contents into two smaller bags to avoid the fee and reduce handling difficulties.

Alternatives and station options: Use Japan’s takkyubin courier services to send oversized or bulky items directly to hotels or airports; same-day or next-day delivery is common and usually cheaper and faster than special transport arrangements. Coin lockers at major stations accept medium suitcases but rarely accommodate items over 160 cm. Arrive earlier than usual to find space and to ask staff for guidance if dimensions are borderline.

Check before travel: Rules and seat availability vary slightly between JR companies and individual high-speed services; consult the operator’s official website or ask station staff before departure to confirm current measurement thresholds, fees and booking procedure.

Transport rules for oversized baggage on Japan’s bullet trains

Reserve a large-item slot when total external dimensions exceed 160 cm (length + width + height); items measuring between 160 cm and 250 cm require advance reservation and incur a ¥1,000 surcharge per seat on JR Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu services – these items must be placed in designated storage zones.

Suitcases and bags under 160 cm fit in overhead racks or between feet/under seats when space allows; secure wheeled cases with wheels tucked in and place heavier items close to the seat to avoid blocking aisles.

Items larger than 250 cm or unusually shaped pieces (folded bicycles, surfboards, large musical instruments) are not accepted in onboard storage and should be sent via station/hotel courier (takkyubin) or freight; courier delivery to accommodation or station lockers typically costs less than attempted onboard accommodation for oversized parcels.

During booking, select seats that show a “large baggage area” label or reserve rows at car ends where designated spaces exist; if the large-item slots are full, options include booking adjacent seats for support or using a delivery service.

For family travel, prefer soft-sided, compressible rolling cases and organized packing cubes to fit overhead compartments; product ideas for parents with young children available at best luggage with small kids.

Quick checklist: measure L+W+H, book large-item reservation for 160–250 cm, label contact details on the piece, arrive early to stow, and use takkyubin for anything over 250 cm.

Official size and weight limits for carry-on on Japanese bullet trains

Keep carry-on items to a total of 160 cm or less (length + width + height); items measuring 160–250 cm require an oversized-bag reservation plus a ¥1,000 fee per item; items over 250 cm are not permitted as cabin baggage.

Measurement method: total dimension = height + width + depth. Measurement is taken with wheels and external pockets included. For items in the 160–250 cm range an assigned storage zone behind certain carriages is used; only a limited number of slots are available per train car.

No formal universal weight cap is published by JR for standard carry-on, but handling capability is enforced: very heavy items may be refused at boarding. As a practical guideline, single-item weight under 30 kg is more likely to be accepted; keep packs light enough for one person to lift onto overhead racks or into designated bays.

Quick reference table

Practical steps

Measure total dimensions with all attachments before travel; reserve an oversized slot when the sum is 160–250 cm. For items over 250 cm arrange door-to-door forwarding or local courier service. Label bags and keep valuables with immediate possession.

Which high-speed lines and train types require oversized baggage reservations

Reserve a large-item seat on Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu high-speed routes for any package whose combined dimensions (length + width + height) exceed 160 cm and are 250 cm or less.

Lines and services with mandatory registration

Mandatory oversized-baggage reservation applies on Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu services operated by JR Central, JR West and JR Kyushu – this covers flagship services such as Nozomi, Hikari, Kodama (Tokaido), Mizuho, Sakura, Tsubame (Sanyo/Kyushu) and equivalent reserved-seat runs. Items in the 160–250 cm range must be registered in advance and placed in designated carriage spaces; a per-item fee (typically around ¥1,000) is charged. Objects over 250 cm are not accepted in passenger compartments.

Lines with no formal advance registration (but limited space)

Tohoku, Hokkaido, Hokuriku and Joetsu high-speed routes (JR East services like Hayabusa, Yamabiko, Kagayaki, etc.) generally do not require a separate oversized-item reservation for items within the 160 cm limit, but storage capacity is limited to overhead racks and the small space behind last-row seats. For items exceeding 160 cm, contact the operating company before travel; on-board staff may refuse placement or boarding if no suitable spot is available. Reserve a designated space when purchasing reserved seats at ticket offices, station machines or official online booking systems; Japan Rail Pass holders must also request the oversized-item reservation at ticket counters.

Compare package dimensions against typical equipment sizes (example reference: best budget 4000 psi pressure washer) before booking, and always secure a reservation for any item over 160 cm to guarantee a marked storage spot behind designated seats.

How to reserve an oversized-baggage space when purchasing tickets

Reserve an oversized-baggage space during ticket purchase if combined dimensions exceed 160 cm; reservation is required on many bullet-train services, available spaces per car are limited, and a surcharge (commonly JPY 1,000) usually applies.

Online booking: use official operator platforms and apps – examples include SmartEX/EX App (Tokaido/Sanyo), JR‑EAST Train Reservation (Eki‑net), JR‑West e5489 and JR Kyushu reservation sites. Select travel date/time, choose a reserved seat, then enable the “large item”/“oversized-baggage” option or pick a seat marked with a baggage‑area icon. If the checkbox is not visible, contact the operator’s call center or choose a different booking channel.

In-person booking: visit a Midori no Madoguchi or staffed ticket window, present exact measurements (length + width + height) and request an oversized-baggage reservation; staff will assign a seat with a dedicated storage zone and issue a reservation slip. Payment of the oversized surcharge is processed at purchase.

Third-party sellers and travel agencies: confirm in advance that the agency can reserve oversized-baggage space and will issue a reservation number tied to the seat. For itineraries with multiple high-speed segments, secure a reservation for each segment where the item exceeds the operator’s free-size limit.

Items over 250 cm combined length: these are generally not permitted in passenger cars and must be shipped via a baggage-forwarding service or handled through freight options; contact the rail operator before booking for exceptions.

At the station and onboard: carry the reservation confirmation (printed or digital). Some services require a baggage tag affixed by staff at the ticket window or boarding gate; failure to present a proper reservation may result in refusal to store the item onboard or denial of boarding for that carriage.

Where to store large suitcases on board and how to secure them

Place a large suitcase upright in the end-of-car storage bay or on the overhead rack and secure it with a strap or cable to prevent shifting and rolling.

• End-of-car storage bay

  • Position suitcase vertically with wheels against the carriage wall; handle facing into the compartment to minimize protrusion into the aisle.
  • Use built-in straps or fixed rails where provided; if none are present, loop a luggage strap or cable lock around the handle and a fixed post or seat frame.
  • Stack a small soft bag or coat on top to reduce movement; avoid blocking doorways or emergency exits.

• Overhead rack

  • Lay hard-sided suitcases flat if height permits; place wheels toward the aisle and the front edge of the suitcase against the rack lip to prevent sliding forward.
  • Secure with a luggage strap threaded through the handle and looped around the overhead bar, or use a short bungee/net to hold items in place.
  • Do not exceed the rack’s load limit; keep a smaller personal item on top rather than a second heavy case.

• Between rows / behind seats

  • For soft-sided suitcases, slide them flat behind the last row of seats or in the alcove beside the vestibule; wedge with a rolled jacket or small bag to prevent sliding.
  • Avoid leaving cases in the aisle; if no alcove exists, orient the case so it sits snugly against seat frames.

• Reserved oversized bays or designated racks

  • When using a reserved bay, follow on-board signage: place items within the marked footprint and use the supplied straps, nets or hooks to fasten the case.
  • Attach a visible ID tag and keep fragile contents cushioned near the walls of the bay rather than at the center.

Equipment and techniques for securing

1. Carry a 1.5–2.5 m luggage strap with adjustable buckle; thread through handles and attach to a fixed anchor, then tighten to remove slack.
2. Use a compact cable lock (1–1.5 m) to tether the handle to a seat leg or vertical pole; use combination locks to avoid key issues.
3. Bring a non-slip mat or foam pad to place under the case on smooth flooring to reduce sliding during acceleration or braking.
4. For short trips inside the carriage, a luggage net or bungee cords fastened to rack bars provides quick stabilization.

Security and practical tips

• Keep passports, electronics and valuables in a small daypack carried into the seat area rather than inside a stored suitcase.
• Label both exterior and interior with contact details; include a bright ribbon for quick visual identification.
• If assistance is needed with stowage or fastening, request help from on-board staff prior to departure.
• Do not place heavy items on top of delicate ones; distribute weight so the center of gravity stays low and close to fixed structures.

Fees, penalties and what to expect if your bag exceeds limits

Reserve an oversized-item space and pay the mandatory 1,000 JPY per seat for any suitcase whose combined dimensions (height + width + depth) measure 160–250 cm; items over 250 cm are not permitted aboard bullet trains.

Fee mechanics and booking

The 1,000 JPY charge is applied per oversized item and must be added when purchasing a reserved seat – online seat-selection screens include an “oversized item” option, or the fee can be added at ticket offices and JR Travel Service Centers. One reservation covers one oversized case; two large cases require two reserved-seat purchases and two fees. Refunds of the oversize fee follow the same cancellation rules as the ticketed seat (check the operator’s refund policy before travel).

Penalties, inspection and enforcement

Station staff or conductors will measure items at the gate or onboard if obstruction or safety risk is suspected. If an item exceeds 160–250 cm and no oversized reservation exists, staff actions may include: offering an alternate seat with available oversized space (if possible), refusing carriage and directing the traveler to a later service, or instructing use of a courier/freight service. Items over 250 cm are refused entirely. There is no standard published monetary fine for non-compliance; enforcement relies on denial of boarding, mandatory rerouting, or removal of the item for safety. A refusal to comply can result in loss of the ticketed fare without refund if the passenger misses the scheduled service.

If an item obstructs aisles, doors or emergency equipment it will be removed and stored by staff; retrieval typically requires identification and may incur handling fees. For oversized items left unclaimed, standard lost-property procedures apply and additional charges for storage or disposal can be charged.

Practical alternatives and costs: door-to-door courier (takuhaibin) for cases up to ~160 cm normally ranges from roughly 1,500–3,500 JPY depending on route; special freight for items above that size will cost more and must be arranged in advance. Arrive at the station early, measure cases, and secure an oversized-item reservation or schedule courier delivery to avoid denied boarding or unexpected handling charges.

Practical alternative: shipping luggage (takkyubin) and comparing costs

Recommendation: Use takkyubin (door-to-door courier) for oversized suitcases when travelling on bullet trains – faster delivery, less onboard hassle, and often lower total cost than arranging special onboard storage.

Measure length + width + height to determine takkyubin size category (60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160 cm). Couriers price by size and origin–destination zone. Typical price ranges (one-way, approximate): Tokyo → Osaka: ¥1,200–¥2,800; Tokyo → Fukuoka: ¥3,000–¥5,500; Tokyo → Sapporo: ¥2,500–¥6,000. Expect lower end for sizes ≤100 cm, higher end for 140–160 cm items.

Delivery speed: most metropolitan pairs offer next-day delivery. Hokkaido, Kyushu and remote islands often require 2–3 days; Okinawa frequently needs air freight pricing. Overnight service availability depends on cut-off times at drop-off or pickup; schedule shipment at least 24 hours before desired delivery in the same region, 48–72 hours for long-distance.

Common operators: Yamato Kuroneko, Sagawa, Japan Post (Yu-Pack). All provide online price estimators and tracking. Hotels usually accept takkyubin pickups if the guest gives permission; some hotels charge a handling fee (typically ¥300–¥1,000). Convenience stores (konbini) accept smaller parcels but not always largest size categories.

Packing and restrictions: reinforce corners, use hard-shell cases for fragile items, declare valuables separately and retain receipts for high-value goods – couriers limit liability for unregistered valuables and hazardous items are forbidden. Purchase additional declared-value coverage for items exceeding standard liability when necessary.

Cost comparison checklist to decide between takkyubin and onboard options: 1) Calculate courier fee from size + route; 2) Add hotel handling or pickup surcharge if applicable; 3) Compare to any onboard reservation fees or penalties (check operator policy in advance); 4) Factor time value of carrying suitcases through stations vs. door delivery. For many intercity trips, takkyubin under ¥3,000 per case is the economical choice.

Practical tips: send suitcases 1–2 days before departure for major cities, 2–3 days for distant islands; keep the tracking number and send photos of packed contents; label destination name and phone in Japanese if possible; request delivery time window to match hotel check-in. Carry passports, medications, valuables and one change of clothes in hand baggage.

Extra resource: when packing for rain or unpredictable weather, consider sturdy items like best umbrellas that wont invert as part of hand baggage rather than shipped items.