New Trip Editorial Department Last updated: May 26, 2026

A complete guide to carrying suitcases on the Shinkansen

Title

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

　・Approximate Suitcase Size to Store at Your Feet

　・Suitcase size that fits in the overhead rack

　・What are oversized baggage areas and baggage corners?

　・Can I bring a suitcase into the unreserved seating area?

3. Suitcase storage on the Shinkansen

　・Choosing the Right Suitcase for Frequent Bullet Train Travelers

summary

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

＼Reader Exclusive: ¥500 OFF／

Subscribe to the New Trip email newsletter and receive a ¥500 OFF coupon valid on all products!

Coupon Code: NT500

Simply enter it at checkout to get your new travel companion at a discount.  

Thank you for registering!

一、新幹線に持ち込めるスーツケースサイズ

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

First, let's confirm the baggage size limits for the Shinkansen.

On the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu, and West Kyushu Shinkansen lines, the following baggage size limits apply:

スーツケースサイズ 持ち込み
3辺合計160cm以内 予約不要
3辺合計160〜250cm以内 「特大荷物」として予約必要
3辺合計250cm超 持ち込み不可

*Total dimensions (L + W + H), including casters and handle

This means that many S and M size suitcases do not require a reservation, but caution is needed for L size and above.

160cmを超えると「特大荷物」扱い

Suitcases with a total dimension exceeding 160 cm are treated as "oversized luggage."

In this case, you will need to pre-book:

  • a seat with an oversized luggage space, or
  • a seat with an oversized luggage corner.

This mainly applies to:

  • large suitcases for long trips,
  • large-capacity models for return trips from abroad,
  • large cases around 100 liters,

and so on.

As reservations tend to fill up quickly during peak travel seasons, it is recommended to secure your booking early.

Title

When traveling by Shinkansen, it's important not only to consider the conditions for using the oversized luggage space but also to choose a suitcase size appropriate for the duration of your trip.

Check out our Suitcase Size Guide to choose the right size for you.

Title

二、新幹線でスーツケースはどこに置く？

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 .

足元に置けるスーツケースサイズの目安

Many people want to place their luggage at their feet if possible.

Indeed, storing luggage at your feet is the easiest option when traveling by Shinkansen.

Generally,

if the sum of the three dimensions is around 115-120cm

it is said to fit relatively easily under the seat in an ordinary car.

Specifically,

  • S size
  • Carry-on size
  • Compact front-opening models

are easy to use.

・Why underfoot storage is convenient

Being able to keep it at your feet offers significant advantages.

  • Easy to get on and off
    You can move your luggage quickly before arriving at the station, making transfers smoother.
  • No need to lift onto the luggage rack
    This makes it easier to handle, even during busy times or when traveling alone as a woman.
  • Less likely to obstruct the aisle
    You can feel relatively at ease even in unreserved seats or crowded carriages.

💡New Trip Editorial Note: During busy times, a bag that can be placed at your feet is overwhelmingly easier to move around with.

荷物棚に置けるスーツケースサイズ

If your luggage doesn't fit at your feet, use the overhead rack above your seat.

On the Tokaido Shinkansen N700 series, the overhead racks are approximately 42 cm deep.

Therefore,

M-sized luggage (around 160 cm in total for three sides)

is relatively easy to store.

However, lifting larger suitcases can be a strain.

This is especially true for:

  • Hard cases
  • Aluminum frame types
  • Fully packed luggage

which can become quite heavy.

Choosing a lightweight model will make traveling on the Shinkansen much easier.

💡New Trip Editorial Team Note: Sometimes it can be a bit difficult for a woman to lift luggage onto the luggage rack by herself.

特大荷物スペース・荷物コーナーとは？

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

Suitcases exceeding 160 cm in total dimensions must use the "oversized luggage space" or "oversized luggage corner."

This is a dedicated space for large luggage located near the rear of the train car.

・Important Notes on Oversized Baggage Areas

  • Reservations required
    You cannot use the service if you have not reserved an applicable seat.
  • Shared space
    During peak seasons, a large number of bulky items may be present.
  • Difficult to use in non-reserved seats
    When traveling with large suitcases, reserved seats are recommended.

💡New Trip Editorial Team Note: Large suitcases can easily block aisles at busy stations such as Tokyo Station and Shin-Osaka Station, so please be careful.

自由席でもスーツケースは持ち込める？

Yes, you can bring suitcases into the unreserved seating area.

However, caution is advised for large-sized luggage.

In the unreserved seating area,

  • seats with oversized baggage space
  • dedicated oversized baggage areas

are limited, so it can be quite difficult to manage during crowded times.

Therefore, if you are using unreserved seating,

an S-size bag or similar that can be placed at your feet

is the most comfortable option.

・Luggage storage

Meanwhile, as the number of foreign visitors to Japan and the amount of large luggage they bring are increasing,

luggage storage areas have been installed on the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen trains.
These are available for use by passengers other than those in the rearmost seats.

Title

三、新幹線移動におすすめのスーツケースサイズ

The recommended size varies depending on the number of travel days and your travel style.

サイズ 宿泊目安 足元収納 荷物棚 特大荷物予約
Sサイズ 1〜3泊 ◎ ◎ 不要
Mサイズ 4〜6泊 △ ◎ 不要
Lサイズ 1週間以上 × △ 必要な場合あり

新幹線利用が多い人におすすめのスーツケース選び

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!

・If under-foot storage is a priority, choose the S size.

For those who frequently use the Shinkansen, the compact S size is very popular.

For example, the New Trip 0201 suitcase is a good choice for Shinkansen travel because it features:

  • Overall dimensions: 114cm
  • Lightweight: approximately 2.8kg
  • Expandable functionality

It's easy to use even on trips where your luggage increases only on the way back, and it reduces the burden of moving around within train stations.

Title
New Trip 0201 スーツケース

拡張機能搭載・超軽量モデル

New Trip 0201

Sサイズ・40L(拡張後48L)｜2.8kg

超軽量設計 拡張機能 TSAロック YKKファスナー ABS+PC素材

¥13,580

商品を見る

・If you frequently use the luggage rack, consider a lightweight M size.

When choosing an M size, "lightness" is quite important.

Especially if you frequently lift it on and off overhead luggage racks,

  • PC material
  • Lightweight frame
  • Easy-to-grip handle

Checking these features will make it more comfortable to use.
Title

四、まとめ

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.
Title

五、FAQ（よくある質問）

Q1. 新幹線でスーツケースは何個まで持ち込めますか？

A1：JRでは手回り品に個数制限があります。利用路線によって異なるため、事前確認がおすすめです。

Q2. 新幹線の足元に置けるスーツケースサイズは？

A2：一般的には、3辺合計115〜120cm前後のSサイズが目安です。

Q3. 特大荷物スペースは当日予約できますか？

A3：空席があれば可能ですが、繁忙期は埋まりやすいため事前予約がおすすめです。

Q4. 自由席でも大型スーツケースは使えますか？

A4：持ち込みは可能ですが、置き場所が限られるため、大型サイズは指定席のほうが安心です。

Q5. 新幹線で使いやすいスーツケースサイズは？

A5：移動しやすさを重視するなら、Sサイズ〜軽量Mサイズが使いやすいです。

執筆・監修

New Trip編集部
本記事は、日本スーツケースブラント「New Trip」の編集部により制作されました。
製品開発やユーザーの声を活かしながら、ユーザーに合ったスーツケースや、旅行・出張をより快適にするアイテムを発信しています。

Store Events

Related Articles

Free shipping for orders over 2000 yen

All items from our store are shipped free of charge for purchases over 2,000 yen.

Customer Service

Our top priority is to provide high quality after-sales service.

Product warranty

All products are made with great attention to detail.

Secure Shopping

We integrate secure payment methods to ensure your payments are safe.