Unreserved Seats and Standing on Shinkansen: The Reality

Many travelers, particularly those new to the Japanese railway system, might wonder if there's an official announcement strictly prohibiting standing on the Shinkansen during departure. This article aims to clarify the situation regarding standing passengers on the Shinkansen and explain the practical reasons behind these occurrences.

Official Announcements and Safety Measures

Indeed, there are standard announcements on the Shinkansen advising passengers to remain seated, especially during departure. These announcements serve a safety purpose, ensuring that all passengers are securely seated before the train accelerates. Additionally, they remind travelers to keep the aisles clear and to follow safety guidelines throughout the journey. This practice is common in various forms of public transportation, ensuring passenger safety and comfort.

The Reality During Peak Seasons

However, it is important to note that standing passengers are not uncommon, particularly during peak travel seasons. The New Year Golden Week and Obon periods, from around 30 December to 6 January and 1-5 May, 10-16 August, respectively, see a significant increase in the number of travelers. These periods, when people travel to visit family and friends, often result in overcrowding, especially in popular routes like the Tokaido Shinkansen.

Even with a high frequency of services—approximately 15 trains per hour—on busy days, finding a reserved seat can be challenging. Therefore, standing during peak hours is a common occurrence. For instance, during the Obon holiday, when I changed my travel plans and had to return to Tokyo from Karuizawa around 3 pm, I found myself in a fully seated non-reserved car, with people already standing in the aisles. Some passengers even had to stand on the deck, the area where you can leave the train through the door, to make room. When I was unable to find a seat, I chose to disembark at Takasaki and switch to a local train back to Tokyo.

Unique Features of Japanese Rail Industry

A key feature of the Japanese rail system is the combination of reserved and unreserved seating on Shinkansen trains. Unlike some airlines that might overbook seats, hoping passengers will not show up, Japan Rail can sell more unreserved seats than there are available empty ones. This is because unreserved seats are on a first come, first served basis, and any available seat can be taken as soon as a passenger boards the train. If all other seats are taken, passengers are left standing for the duration of the journey, which can last from half an hour to multiple hours.

This situation is not new or unique to the Shinkansen. Other major rail operators around the world, such as Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, and rail operators in the UK, use similar systems during peak travel periods. The unreserved seating system ensures that more people can travel, but it also means that travelers need to be prepared for the possibility of standing during busy times.

Travelers seeking to avoid standing should consider purchasing unreserved tickets from major stations, like Tokyo, Shin-Osaka, or Hiroshima. Boarding early at these stations can increase the likelihood of finding a vacant seat, as many travelers will disembark at these hubs.

Understanding the unique features and practices of the Japanese railway system can help travelers better prepare for their journeys. Whether it's the safety announcements, the common occurrence of standing during peak periods, or the first come, first served seating system, having this knowledge can make travel on the Shinkansen more enjoyable and less stressful.