Order Your JRPass
Back to Using the Japan Rail Pass

Green Car seats from Osaka to Tokyo

pployalfan1
pployalfan1
almost 11 years ago
7 responses

We understand that not every Shinkansen Hikari train has Green seats. However, we intend to buy Green car JR pass for our upcoming July/August trip to enjoy the additional quietness, less crowd and space for luggage. We intend to travel from Osaka to Asakusabashi via Shinkansen Hikari on August 1 (leaving Osaka after 2pm in the afternoon). Would you happen to know which train has Green Car cabin? Thank you.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
almost 11 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Going Green (so to speak) is a great option! I just finished a 3 week trip with the Green JR Pass and it was wonder full. I can also confirm that all Shinkansen between Osaka and Tokyo (knows as the Tōkaidō) have green seats.

One thing I would like to point out, is that you always need to make seat reservations for Green Cars, you can do so at any station with a manned ticket counter. I would recommend doing so at least 20 minutes before you depart, sometimes it can get a little busy and it would be a shame missing the train because of this.

Hope this helps!
-Daniel

pployalfan1
pployalfan1
7 posts
almost 11 years ago

Thank you for the advice, Daniel. You only need to reserve Green Car seats on Shinkansen trains, don't you? I will reserve seats on most long distance Shinkansen routes as early as possible but for short trips such as Atami to Ito & Osaka to Wakayama, you can just jump on the Green cars, can't you?

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
almost 11 years ago
Expert

Hi again,

All green seats are reserved, so a reservation will always be needed even for small trips.
This applies to both Shinkansen and limited express trains.

pployalfan1
pployalfan1
7 posts
almost 11 years ago

Noted with much thanks.

avatar
mari
1950 posts
almost 11 years ago
Expert

Hi Daniel - Thanks for this information! Last time I used the green car it was only some Hikari on the Tokaido that had Green Cars. Happy to hear that Green seats are more available!

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
almost 11 years ago
Expert

Hi Mari,

I personally think this is because many of the older train types that used to serve as high speed Nozomi trains have retired to slower Hikari and Kodama trains, I was rather surprise when my Kodama yesterday had 3 (!) green cars and I had one to myself :)

You can see seat availability here, it is in Japanese only but you can select the station names by Kanji.

Try a search and you can see that all trains on on the Tokaido have green seats now :D

Some trains between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshina-Chuo, in the past the Hikari Rail Star and now the Sakura, don't have a Green Car but this is becoming rare too.

avatar
mari
1950 posts
almost 11 years ago
Expert

this is really lovely news Daniel! Thank you!


Looking for more information? Search the forum

Select Category

Instant Quote

Starting from $343.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel

Can’t find the answer?

Learn from over 17329 questions about the Japan Rail Pass, or ask our Japan Rail travel experts

Ask Question

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Visit us on Facebook

Get inspired for your visit to Japan by following us on Instagram and don't forget your own shots once you are there.


Find out where to buy the japan rail pass online.

Order your JRPass Now!

We have special prices for children and great first class options. See all tickets or see our range of Regional Passes