The Bullet Train is a Party on Wheels: How to Master the Shinkansen & The “Ekiben” Ritual
Riding the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) is a bucket list item. It’s fast, it’s punctual to the second, and it feels like riding a spaceship.
But for us locals, the Shinkansen isn’t just about speed. It’s about Food. We call it the “Ekiben Ritual.”
If you just buy a ticket and sit down, you are doing it wrong. Here is your friend’s guide to turning a boring 2-hour ride into a high-speed picnic (and how to avoid the luggage fines).
1. The “Ekiben” (Station Bento) is Mandatory
Before you go through the ticket gates at Tokyo Station, you have a mission. Find a shop called “Ekibenya Matsuri” (Station Bento Festival). It sells over 200 kinds of bento boxes from all over Japan.
- Why it’s special: Japanese trains are the only place where eating cold food feels gourmet.
- What to buy:
- Makunouchi Bento: A little bit of everything (rice, fish, pickles, egg).
- Beef Dom: Rice topped with high-quality beef.
- Self-Heating Bento: Pull a string, wait 5 minutes, and it gets hot! (Magic).
- Beer/Chu-hi: Yes, drinking alcohol on the Shinkansen is 100% legal and socially acceptable. Even at 10 AM. Enjoy.
2. The Secret of “Seat E” (Mt. Fuji View)
Going from Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka? Everyone wants to see Mt. Fuji. But she only appears on one side of the train.
- The Rule: You must book a Window Seat on the Right Side (when leaving Tokyo).
- The Seat Number: Look for Seat E (in ordinary cars).
- Friend’s Warning: If you sit in Seat A, you will stare at a wall for 2 hours while the people in Seat E take photos of the mountain. Don’t be Seat A.
3. The “Oversized Baggage” Trap (Crucial!)
This is a new rule (since 2020) that catches many tourists. If your suitcase is HUGE (total dimensions over 160cm), you cannot just bring it on.
- The Rule: You must reserve a specific seat called “Seat with Oversized Baggage Area” (usually the last row of the car).
- If you forget: You will be fined 1,000 JPY and forced to move your bag.
- Friend’s Advice: Remember our “Takkyubin” (Luggage Forwarding) article? Use it! Don’t bring big bags on the train. It’s a hassle.
4. JR Pass vs. Single Tickets
The “JR Pass” used to be a no-brainer. But in late 2023, the price jumped by about 70%. Ouch.
- Is it still worth it? Only if you are traveling A LOT (e.g., Tokyo -> Hiroshima -> Kanazawa -> Tokyo in 7 days).
- For most people (Tokyo -> Kyoto -> Tokyo): Buying single tickets is now cheaper.
- How to buy: Use the “SmartEX” app (available in English). You can book online and link the ticket to your Suica/Pasmo card. Or just use the machines at the station (they have an English button).
5. Essential Etiquette (Don’t Be “That” Tourist)
The Shinkansen is exciting, but it’s also a quiet zone.
- Reclining: Before you push your seat back, turn around and ask the person behind you, “Sumimasen, okay?” It’s the polite rule.
- Phone Calls: Do not talk on the phone in your seat. Go to the deck area (between cars).
- Trash: When you leave, take your bento box and beer cans with you. There are trash bins on the deck or at the station platform.
Summary: Your High-Speed Plan
- Buy your ticket on the SmartEX App (Reserve Seat E!).
- Go to Tokyo Station 40 minutes early.
- Buy a glorious Ekiben and a cold beer.
- Board the train, find your seat, and feast while watching the Japanese countryside zoom by at 300km/h.
It’s the best lunch you’ll ever have.
Where are you heading on that bullet train? Kyoto? Osaka? Hiroshima? Our company creates custom itineraries for all these cities. Let us help you plan what to do after you get off the train!
