Japan's Shinkansen (bullet train) system offers three seat categories on most routes: Green Car (first class), reserved ordinary (shitei-seki), and unreserved ordinary (jiyū-seki). The choice significantly affects your travel experience, especially during peak season.
Reserved Seats (指定席 Shitei-seki)
You pay an additional ¥530–1,000 reservation fee (on top of the base fare) to guarantee a specific seat on a specific departure. Your seat number and carriage are printed on the ticket. Board any time before departure, find your seat, and sit. If you have a JR Pass, seat reservations are free — you simply go to the green ticket machines or reservation windows at any JR station and specify your train and seat preference.
Best for: Peak travel periods (Golden Week, Obon, New Year), long journeys (Tokyo–Osaka and beyond), traveling with luggage, families, or when you have a specific departure time. The reserved car is always less crowded than the unreserved cars.
Unreserved Seats (自由席 Jiyū-seki)
No reservation fee. You board any available departure and sit in any empty seat in the unreserved carriages (typically cars 1–3 on Tokaido Shinkansen). If the train is full, you stand in the vestibule area. On off-peak trains and off-peak seasons, unreserved is almost always fine — you'll get a seat without waiting.
Best for: Off-peak travel (weekday mornings outside Golden Week), short journeys (under 1 hour), flexible itineraries where you want to catch whichever train departs soonest. Good for spontaneous travel between cities without advance booking.
When Unreserved Becomes Risky
During Golden Week (late April–early May), Obon (mid-August), New Year (late December–early January), and autumn weekends heading to Kyoto, unreserved Tokaido Shinkansen cars fill quickly. On the Nozomi (fastest service, not covered by JR Pass), unreserved cars are often standing-room only from Tokyo by midmorning. During these periods, always reserve.
Green Car (グリーン車)
First class equivalent — wider seats (2+2 configuration versus 3+2 in ordinary), more legroom, dedicated service. The premium is ¥3,000–5,000 above the reserved ordinary fare. Not covered by the standard JR Pass (requires a Green Car upgrade pass or separate purchase). Worth considering for journeys over 3 hours if you value space and quiet.
How to Reserve Seats
At any JR station, use the green "Shinkansen" ticket machines (English available) or the JR ticket window. With a JR Pass, take the pass to the window — reservations are free. You can reserve multiple trains at once for your whole itinerary. Alternatively, use the JR Ticket Online or Ekinet systems for advance internet booking (Japanese credit card required for full functionality, though some international cards now work).
Luggage Note
From 2020, oversized luggage (exceeding 160cm total dimensions) requires advance reservation of an "Oversized Luggage Space" at the rear of reserved cars — a free booking done at the ticket window. Standard suitcases fit in overhead racks; oversized ski bags and large suitcases require this service.