A complete guide to carrying suitcases on the Shinkansen

  • New Trip

Update date: 2025.12.10

The Shinkansen is a means of transportation that is often used for business and travel,

Many people worry about the size of their suitcase and how to store it.

"How big a suitcase can I bring on the Shinkansen?", "What size suitcase can I place at my feet?", etc.

There must be a lot of worries.


So, in this article, we will introduce the maximum size of carry-on suitcases for those who want to know the maximum size of carry-on suitcases for the Shinkansen .

We will explain for those who don't know where to put their suitcases on the Shinkansen .

If you're interested, please read it!

table of contents

1. The maximum size of suitcases that can be carried on the Shinkansen

2. Maximum weight of suitcases that can be carried on the Shinkansen

3. Suitcase storage on the Shinkansen

summary

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. The maximum size of suitcases that can be carried on the Shinkansen

Just like airplanes, the Shinkansen has strict rules regarding carry-on baggage.
The following luggage sizes are allowed on board:

Reference site: https://www.jr-odekake.net/railroad/service/baggage/

On the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen lines, you can bring suitcases with the sum of the three sides being within 250cm .

Anything over 160cm will be considered "oversized baggage" and requires advance reservation .

It will be placed in the "oversized baggage area" or "oversized baggage corner."

Suitcases and other baggage that exceed 250cm cannot be carried on the Shinkansen.


And the size restrictions for carry-on suitcases are as follows:
For venues with 100 or more seats , the sum of the three dimensions (length, width, height) must be within 115cm , and each dimension must be within 55cm x 40cm x 25cm.
For venues with fewer than 100 seats , the sum of the three dimensions (length, width, height) must be within 100cm , and each dimension must be within 45cm x 35cm x 20cm.

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2. Maximum weight of suitcases that can be carried on the Shinkansen

In addition to size, you also need to consider weight.

When traveling on the Shinkansen, carry-on suitcases must weigh no more than 30 kg .
Tips to stay within the weight limit:


・Create a packing list
・Plan your travel outfit
No need to bring toiletries
- Have a pair of shoes that can be used for multiple purposes
Don't bring anything that "might" be useful

Before you leave on your trip, check the weight of your suitcase once to feel at ease.

However, it's a hassle to have to find a scale to weigh your suitcase every time, right?

Is there something that is easy to carry, easy to store, and simple to use?

We recommend this digital luggage scale .

[New Trip] Hanging Digital Luggage Scale for Suitcases

View on the official website

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3. Suitcase storage on the Shinkansen

I know what size suitcase I can bring on the Shinkansen, but where should I put it?
Some of you may be wondering, ``Why is this happening?''

From here, I will explain where to store your suitcase on the Shinkansen.
The main locations are as follows:


· foot
・Luggage shelf
・Oversized luggage seat
・Luggage storage area

1. Feet

The size of a suitcase that can be placed at the feet on a Shinkansen train varies depending on the person's physique,

In the foot space of a standard car, you can generally store luggage with a total of approximately 120cm in three dimensions (e.g. 25 x 40 x 55cm).

This means you don't need to put it on the luggage rack.
However, please note that there are footrests at the feet of passengers in the Green Car, so please store them in the luggage rack or somewhere similar.

If you are looking for a suitcase that can be placed at your feet on the Shinkansen , we recommend the following.
New Trip GB 0201 S size
This suitcase has a total of 114cm on all three sides and weighs just 2.8kg .

Made of ABS+PC material, it is lightweight, shatter-resistant , and has excellent impact resistance .
Plus, good news for those worried about storage space.

This suitcase also has an expandable function ! Just expand the gusset width by 5cm to increase capacity by 20% !

This way, you never have to worry about whether you'll be able to buy what you want when you get back from your trip!

[New Trip] Ultralight Carry-on Suitcase with Expandable Storage, 0201

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2. Luggage shelf
The total size of the suitcase (three sides) must be less than 160cm, but if it cannot be placed at your feet, you will have to place it on the luggage rack .

It depends on the train formation, but mainly for N700 series cars, the luggage rack has a depth of about 42 cm,

Generally, luggage with a total of 160cm across (e.g. 30 x 50 x 80cm) can be stored.
If you have difficulty lifting your luggage onto the luggage rack, please ask a flight attendant and they will help you lift it up onto the rack.

Here are some recommended suitcases that can be placed on luggage racks !


New Trip ZB1101 Medium
The total length of the three sides is 136cm, and the case is made of 100% PC material .

The opening and closing parts use a reinforced aluminum frame , ensuring strength, durability, and waterproofness.

The auto-turn handle makes it easy to lift your suitcase up and down the luggage rack.
The suitcase weighs less than 5kg, so it doesn't put much strain on the luggage rack.

[New Trip] Shock-Resistant Suitcase with Silent Casters and Aluminum Frame, Model 1101

View on the official website

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3. Oversized luggage storage area
As mentioned above, suitcases with a total of three sides exceeding 160cm and less than 250cm,

It must be placed in the " oversized baggage area " or " oversized baggage section ."

To use this case,

You must make a reservation in advance for the corresponding "seats with oversized baggage area" and "seats with oversized baggage corner."


The "Oversized Baggage Space" and "Oversized Baggage Corner" are as follows:

Reference site: https://www.jr-odekake.net/railroad/service/baggage/

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Please note : The "oversized luggage area" will be shared by all guests.

Please be considerate when storing your luggage.

If your suitcase does not fit in the "oversized luggage area," please use the "seat with oversized luggage area."
For detailed usage instructions, please refer here.

https://www.jr-odekake.net/railroad/service/baggage/

In addition, with the increase in tourism demand, in order to improve user convenience,

JR Central and JR West will trial opening the "oversized luggage corners" installed on some decks of the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen (16-car trains) as luggage storage areas without the need for advance reservations from July 1, 2025 .

4. Luggage storage area
As the number of foreigners traveling to Japan increases, the amount of large baggage is also increasing.

Luggage storage areas have been installed on the Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen trains.
This can be used by passengers other than those in the rearmost seats, and depending on the size, it can also be used in place of the luggage rack.

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summary

What do you think?

In this article, we explain the maximum size of suitcases that can be brought on board the Shinkansen , and where to store each size.

We also have some recommended suitcases.


If you are using the Shinkansen,

Consider in advance where you will need to store your suitcase depending on its size, and if necessary, make a reservation in advance.

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FAQ

1. What should I do if I find an unclaimed bag in the "Oversized Baggage Area" or "Oversized Baggage Corner"?

Please do not touch any unclaimed baggage and notify a nearby crew member.

2. Please tell me about free carry-on items.

JR allows passengers to bring on board "free baggage allowances" as "up to two portable items with the maximum sum of their three sides not exceeding 250cm (length not exceeding 2m)" and "weight not exceeding 30kg."

3. What should I do if I want to bring a stroller, sports equipment, or musical instruments?

Oversized baggage rules do not apply to strollers, sports equipment, musical instruments, etc., but if you wish to use the "oversized baggage space" or "oversized baggage corner," please make a reservation in advance.

4. Why do I need to make a reservation in advance for "oversized baggage"?

In recent years, due to the increase in passengers from overseas, the number of passengers carrying large luggage on board Shinkansen trains has also increased. Therefore, we have introduced a reservation system in which passengers who wish to bring luggage over a certain size on board must reserve a luggage space along with a reserved seat before boarding the train.

5. Are there any restrictions on the amount of luggage I can bring on the Shinkansen?

You may carry up to two pieces of luggage with a total length, width, and height of no more than 250cm (length up to 2m). However, if you wish to carry oversized baggage, you will need to reserve a seat with an oversized baggage area or a seat with an oversized baggage corner.

6. Suitcase etiquette on the train

Avoid traveling during crowded times .

When in the car, do not block the doors or aisles, but place it at your feet .

The casters can be locked to prevent the chair from moving even when the train shakes.

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