Reserved vs Unreserved Shinkansen Seats: How to Choose

What Are Reserved Seats?

Reserved seats (指定席, shiteiseki) mean you have a guaranteed seat assignment on a specific train at a specific time. Your ticket shows the train number, car number, seat number, and departure time.

You must board the train printed on your ticket. If you miss it, you can ride a later train the same day but only in unreserved cars (with a regular-price ticket — discount tickets may not allow this).

On the Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo-Osaka route), reserved seats are in cars 4-16 on Nozomi trains and cars 4-16 on Hikari trains. Reserved-seat cars far outnumber unreserved.

What Are Unreserved Seats?

Unreserved seats (自由席, jiyuuseki) don’t have a specific assignment. You walk onto the train and sit in any empty seat in the unreserved cars. If all seats are taken, you stand in the aisle or vestibule area.

On the Tokaido Shinkansen:

• Nozomi: Cars 1-3 are unreserved (3 cars out of 16)
• Hikari: Cars 1-5 are unreserved (5 cars out of 16)
• Kodama: Cars 1-5 and 13-15 are unreserved (8 cars out of 16)

Your ticket is valid for any train on the same route on the same day — you’re not locked to a specific departure time. This gives you flexibility to take an earlier or later train without changes.

Price Difference

The surcharge for reserved seats over unreserved is modest on the Tokaido Shinkansen:

Route	Unreserved	Reserved	Difference
Tokyo to Kyoto	¥13,640	¥14,170	+¥530
Tokyo to Shin-Osaka	¥14,190	¥14,720	+¥530
Tokyo to Nagoya	¥10,770	¥11,300	+¥530

During peak season (Golden Week, Obon, New Year), reserved seat prices increase by an additional ¥200. Off-peak periods may see a ¥200 discount.

For ¥530 extra, you get a guaranteed seat and the peace of mind of not having to scramble. For most travelers, reserved seats are worth it.

When Unreserved Is Risky

Unreserved cars can fill up completely during these periods:

• Golden Week (late April to early May)
• Obon (mid-August)
• New Year (December 28 - January 3)
• Friday evenings (Tokyo outbound, 17:00-20:00)
• Sunday evenings (returning to Tokyo, 16:00-20:00)
• Three-day weekends (連休, renkyuu) — both departure and return days

During these times, passengers stand in the aisles for the entire 2+ hour journey. If you’re traveling with luggage, children, or elderly companions, this is miserable. Book reserved seats.

When Unreserved Works Well

Unreserved is a solid choice when:

• Off-peak weekdays (Tuesday-Thursday, mid-morning or early afternoon). Plenty of empty seats.
• Kodama trains, which have the most unreserved cars (8 out of 16) and are less popular since they stop at every station.
• Your schedule is uncertain. If you might need to take a train 30 minutes earlier or later, unreserved gives you that flexibility without rebooking.
• Short distances (e.g., Tokyo to Nagoya, about 1h 40m). Even standing is bearable.

How to Maximize Your Chances

If you’re taking unreserved seats during a moderately busy time:

1. Line up 15-20 minutes before departure at the unreserved car doors on the platform. Queuing lines are clearly marked on the floor.
2. Board at a major originating station (Tokyo or Shin-Osaka) rather than a mid-route stop. Trains that originate at your station will be empty.
3. Try the Hikari instead of Nozomi. Hikari has 5 unreserved cars vs. Nozomi’s 3, and Hikari trains are less popular overall.
4. Choose off-peak departures. The 6:00-7:00 AM trains and after 20:00 are usually less crowded.

Green Car (First Class)

The Green Car (グリーン車, guriinsha) is the Shinkansen equivalent of first class. It’s always reserved — no unreserved Green seats exist.

What You Get

• Wider seats with more legroom (2+2 configuration instead of 3+2)
• Reclining seats with more range
• Quieter environment — fewer passengers, more business travelers
• Foot rests and adjustable armrests
• Power outlets at every seat (also available in most Ordinary reserved cars)
• On some trains, a dedicated attendant for drink service

Green Car Pricing

Route	Ordinary Reserved	Green Car	Difference
Tokyo to Kyoto	¥14,170	¥19,590	+¥5,420
Tokyo to Shin-Osaka	¥14,720	¥20,150	+¥5,430
Tokyo to Nagoya	¥11,300	¥15,270	+¥3,970

Green Car is on car 8, 9, and 10 on Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi trains. On some trains, car 8 is a “quiet car” where phone calls and loud conversation are discouraged.

Is Green Car Worth It?

• Yes if you want guaranteed quiet, extra comfort, or are on a long journey (Tokyo-Hiroshima, 4+ hours).
• Yes during peak season when Ordinary cars are packed.
• Maybe not for short trips (Tokyo-Nagoya, 1h 40m) — you barely have time to settle in.

How to Find Unreserved Cars on the Platform

Every Shinkansen platform displays a car position guide — a sign showing where each car number stops. Unreserved cars (自由席) are clearly labeled.

Key points:

• Look for the numbers 1, 2, 3 (Nozomi) or 1-5 (Hikari) on the platform guide.
• Line up at the designated floor markings for those car numbers before the train arrives.
• The platform display board also shows the next train’s departure time and whether it’s Nozomi, Hikari, or Kodama.

Standing Policy

If all unreserved seats are occupied, you can stand:

• In the vestibule areas (the spaces between cars, near the doors)
• In the aisle of unreserved cars (though this blocks other passengers)

You cannot stand in reserved cars without a reserved ticket for that train. Train staff check tickets regularly.

There are no standing-room-only tickets — you simply board with an unreserved ticket and stand if there are no seats.

Troubleshooting

I have a reserved ticket but my seat is occupied

Politely show your ticket. The person may be in the wrong seat. If there’s a dispute, ask the train attendant (車掌) for help. The seat number on your ticket is your legal right.

I want to upgrade from unreserved to reserved on the train

This is generally not possible once you’re on board. You’d need to buy a new reserved ticket at the next station. Plan ahead.

My reserved train is fully booked

Switch to unreserved for flexibility — you can take any train. Or check SmartEX for availability on Hikari trains, which are often less full than Nozomi.

I’m traveling with large luggage

Reserve a seat in the last row of a car. Tokaido Shinkansen now requires reservations for oversized luggage spaces (located behind the last row of cars 1, 4, 7, 11, etc.). Book a “seat with oversized luggage space” on SmartEX or at the counter.

For how to purchase tickets, see our Shinkansen ticket buying guide.