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Shinkansen oversized luggage checker

Enter your bag's three dimensions to see whether you need an oversized-baggage seat reservation on the Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen, Kyushu Shinkansen, and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen. The limits come from JR's official pages.

Unit

The rule uses the sum of length + width + height. Inches are converted at exactly 2.54 cm per inch; JR's limits are in centimetres.

Result

Enter all three dimensions to check your bag.

The size bands

  • Up to 160 cm in total: no reservation needed.
  • 161–250 cm in total: reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area or an oversized baggage compartment (no extra charge). Without a reservation: ¥1,000 on board.
  • Over 250 cm in total: cannot be brought on board.

Lines where the rule applies:

  • Tokaido Shinkansen
  • Sanyo Shinkansen
  • Kyushu Shinkansen
  • Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen

The July 2025 compartment trial

Both statements are on JR's pages

Since 1 July 2025, the oversized baggage compartments on some decks can be used without a reservation on a trial basis.

The no-reservation trial for compartments is stated by JR West ('Starting from July 1, 2025') and JR Central ('on a trial basis'), while the same pages still tell passengers with oversized baggage to reserve.

Because JR describes this as a trial and the same pages still ask passengers with oversized baggage to reserve, the checker tells you to reserve for bags over 160 cm.

Exemptions

  • Baggage with total dimensions (length + width + height) of 160 cm or less needs no reservation; it goes in the overhead rack, at your feet or in the deck baggage storage area.
  • Strollers, sports equipment (bicycles, etc.) and musical instruments are outside the oversized baggage rule and can be carried on without a reservation, up to 250 cm in total. A reservation is still needed if you want to use the oversized baggage area behind the last row or an oversized baggage compartment.
  • Wheelchairs (electric wheelchairs: four-wheeled ones only) may be brought aboard even if bulkier and heavier than the general carry-on limits, as long as they are around 120 cm in length and height and around 70 cm wide. When reserving a wheelchair seat, tell JR if you will also bring oversized baggage.
  • Supreme Class cabins (Tokaido Shinkansen, cars 7 and 10) allow oversized baggage (160-250 cm in total) to be carried on.
  • Since 1 July 2025, the oversized baggage compartments on some decks can be used without a reservation on a trial basis.

How to reserve

  1. Reserve a 'seat with an oversized baggage area' (last row of some reserved cars) or a 'seat with an oversized baggage compartment' (a lockable compartment on the deck; Tokaido and Sanyo 16-car trains only) when you buy your reserved-seat ticket. It costs the same as an ordinary reserved seat or Green Car seat; there is no extra charge.
  2. At a JR ticket office: tell the staff you are traveling with oversized baggage.
  3. At a reserved-seat ticket machine at a JR station: choose 'Seat with an oversized baggage area'.
  4. Online: Tokaido Sanyo Kyushu Shinkansen Online Reservation Service (smartEX), JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION or JR-KYUSHU Train Reservation.
  5. JAPAN RAIL PASS holders: ask at a JR ticket office, or reserve via 'JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation' (available since 1 June 2020). The JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS online booking site cannot reserve these seats; use a ticket counter.
  6. These seats go on sale one month in advance like other reserved seats; if all are taken, reserve a different train.

More details from JR

  • JR Central states the reservation range as 'between 161 and 250 cm (64 and 98 inches)' and 'more than 160 cm'; 160 cm itself needs no reservation.
  • Items over 250 cm in total cannot be brought on board.
  • Without a reservation, oversized baggage is charged a 1,000 yen fee (tax included) and must be stored where the conductor directs; if seats are full you may be asked to reserve another train.
  • Oversized baggage cannot be taken into non-reserved cars.
  • An oversized baggage compartment holds one item within 80 x 60 x 40 cm (JR West: upper level within 80 x 60 x 50 cm, reserve an aisle seat; lower level within 80 x 60 x 40 cm, reserve a window seat).
  • General JR carry-on allowance (unchanged): two pieces, each up to 30 kg, 250 cm in total and 200 cm in length.
  • Reservations are required only on the Tokaido / Sanyo / Kyushu / Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, not on conventional lines.

Planning the fares too? Shinkansen fare finder · JR Pass calculator

FAQ

What suitcase size needs a reservation on the Shinkansen?

On the Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen, Kyushu Shinkansen, and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, baggage whose length + width + height total more than 160 cm and up to 250 cm needs a reserved seat with an oversized baggage area or an oversized baggage compartment. 160 cm or less needs no reservation.

Does the oversized baggage seat cost extra?

No. Reserve a 'seat with an oversized baggage area' (last row of some reserved cars) or a 'seat with an oversized baggage compartment' (a lockable compartment on the deck; Tokaido and Sanyo 16-car trains only) when you buy your reserved-seat ticket. It costs the same as an ordinary reserved seat or Green Car seat; there is no extra charge. If you board with oversized baggage without a reservation, a ¥1,000 fee is charged and the baggage must be stored where the conductor directs.

Can I bring baggage over 250 cm?

No. Items over 250 cm in total (length + width + height) cannot be brought on board.

Can JR Pass holders reserve an oversized baggage seat?

JAPAN RAIL PASS holders: ask at a JR ticket office, or reserve via 'JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation' (available since 1 June 2020). The JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS online booking site cannot reserve these seats; use a ticket counter.