The GW holidays are finally in full swing, and many people will be traveling or returning home with oversized suitcases. We asked JR about the rule.
First of all, oversized luggage is defined as “large luggage with a total of three sides exceeding 160 cm and not exceeding 250 cm. In the case of suitcases, this corresponds to the sizes listed as “more than 10 nights” or “more than 100 liters”. There is “no additional charge” to bring in oversized luggage, but please note that a “carry-in fee of 1,000 yen” will be charged if you bring in luggage without making a reservation in advance.
If you are concerned about the size of your luggage, it is recommended that you measure it before buying a ticket, as luggage with three sides totaling 250 cm or more will not be allowed on board. At major Shinkansen stations, luggage size measuring stands are available near ticket counters and at the Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket counter. Sports equipment, musical instruments, wheelchairs, baby strollers, etc. can be brought in without reservations regardless of size.
Seats with oversized luggage space” are located in the last section of the train and the space behind it, and can be reserved and designated when purchasing tickets online (Express Reservations, Smart EX, e5489, JR Kyushu Internet Train Reservations) or at ticket vending machines at stations. The last seat and the space behind the last seat are available for reservation and designation.
If the train is full, make a reservation for the next available train. Note that luggage storage and seating are always combined into one set, so it is impossible to reserve only an oversized luggage space, for example.
The “luggage storage area (former oversized luggage corner)” on some decks can be used without prior reservation, and allows passengers to place large suitcases and heavy luggage with a total of three sides measuring 160 cm or less.
According to JR Tokai, “Among large luggage items, musical instruments, sports equipment, baby strollers, etc. can still be brought in without prior reservation, but since the space at the end of the train car is reserved for passengers who have reserved seats with oversized luggage space, early advance reservation is recommended if you wish to use the space. or larger luggage and baby strollers can be placed on the cargo racks or under the feet of the stroller.
During peak traffic periods such as GW, the company also asks for cooperation “for those who do not bring in oversized luggage, please use the regular seats for those who need luggage storage space”.
Note that there are no seats for oversized luggage on the Hokkaido, Tohoku, Akita, Yamagata, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen trains, and luggage storage areas in the cars are available without reservation.
© Source travel watch