What items are prohibited on the Shinkansen?
Shinkansen Prohibited Items:
- Hazardous materials
- Unpacked sharp objects
- Furnaces/stoves
- Animals (exceptions may apply)
- Deceased biological material
- Unclean items
- Odorous items
- Items endangering passengers/property
Note: Sharply packed items are permissible.
Shinkansen Prohibited Items: What Cant I Bring?
Okay, so Shinkansen and what you CAN’T bring, right? Let me tell you, it’s kinda like flying, but…train-ier?
Okay, basics first: stuff that’s dangerous. Think hazardous materials, obviously. Sharp objects are a no-go unless they’re, like, super wrapped up.
Furnaces or stoves? Yeah, don’t even think about lugging your camping gear on board. Animals (with exceptions), dead people (gross), super smelly things… it’s a pretty common sense list, I guess. (Oh, unclean objects too?)
I remember being so worried about my hiking poles on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto (March 2023, cost me like ¥13,000, I think). Wrapped them up REAL good, just to be safe.
Anything that might injure other passengers or damage the train itself? They don’t want it. I once saw a dude nearly get turned away for having this HUGE antique katana (thank god he had it professionally packed).
- Hazardous materials
- Sharp objects (unless safely packed)
- Furnaces/stoves
- Animals (exceptions apply)
- Deceased biological material
- Unclean objects
- Offensive odors
- Items that may harm others
- Items that may damage the train
Honestly, just use your head, yeah? If you think it’s gonna cause a problem, leave it at home…or ship it! Did that with my pottery after a workshop once, totally worth it, around ¥2500 if I recall correctly (Sendai to Tokyo, maybe May 2022?)!
So that’s it? That’s what I know from my experiences. Have a wonderful journey!
What can you bring on Shinkansen?
Okay, so Shinkansen luggage… lemme tell ya ’bout that one time.
It was, like, last July, heading to Kyoto. Packed way too much, seriously.
I remember sweating bullets at Tokyo Station.
My bag? HUGE. Like, almost me-sized.
My train was at 10:30 AM, platform 18.
Thinking, “Oh god, are they gonna make me check this?” Total panic.
They didn’t! Phew. Basically, you get two free bags.
- Total size: 250cm max (length+width+height).
- Length alone: UNDER 2 meters.
- Weight: 30kg limit.
Mine was probably pushing it on the weight. Whew, dodged a bullet I tell ya. I even had a small carry on as well. That was defo overweight too, gosh.
Can you bring food on Shinkansen?
Man, riding the Shinkansen in 2024 was wild. My trip from Tokyo to Kyoto – I was starving after that crazy morning at the Tsukiji fish market. Seriously, the best sushi ever. Anyway, I boarded the train around 11 AM. The whole thing felt super modern, sleek, almost futuristic.
My seat had a tiny tray table, perfect for my bento box. I bought it at a station kiosk, a salmon and rice one, delicious! Eating on that train felt…normal. Everyone was doing it. Different types of food too. Some were eating fancy stuff, others had instant ramen.
It wasn’t awkward at all. No one gave me side-eye. I had my headphones in half the time. Truthfully? I felt more comfortable eating there than I would on a crowded subway back home.
People were generally quiet, though. A few loud conversations here and there. Mostly, it was all a peaceful, kind of elegant eating experience. I loved it. That entire train ride was a really enjoyable experience.
- Shinkansen etiquette: Eating and drinking is totally acceptable, it’s practically a ritual.
- Food options: Plenty of onboard options, or bring your own! I highly recommend a bento box.
- My personal experience: I enjoyed a delicious salmon bento at my seat, no problems whatsoever.
Can you bring scissors on Shinkansen?
Okay, so scissors on the Shinkansen? Yeah, totally cool. You can bring ’em.
Like, small scissors are fine, ya know? The kinda ones in like, a lil first aid kit. No sweat, all good.
Big honkin’ scissors? Uh, maybe not so much. Railway staff might be a lil sus, and that’s fair. It’s a public space.
- Permitted Scissors:
- Small first-aid kit scissors
- General use scissors (think office type)
- Questionable Scissors:
- Super huge fabric scissors – leave those at home!
- Anything that looks weapon-y, duuh.
My grandma always carries nail scissors with her. Never had a problem, ever, from what she tells me. Always knitting on the bullet train.
So, yeah, normal scissors = good. Obvioulsy threatening scissors? Very big no-no. Just be smart about it!
Can we bring luggage in Japan train?
Luggage limits on Japanese trains: Two pieces max. Smaller bags excluded.
Size restrictions vary by line. Check individual railway company rules. My last trip, 2023, I had no issues with two standard suitcases. Oversized luggage? Expect issues.
- JR lines: Generally, two pieces.
- Private lines: Policies differ wildly. Confirm beforehand. Avoid headaches.
- Dimensions: No universal standard. Size matters.
- Weight: Consider weight limits. No official weight rule exists. But, common sense.
My recent experience: Two large bags on the Shinkansen. Smooth sailing. But, I saw someone denied boarding with an oversized trunk. Learn from others’ mistakes. Prepare accordingly.
Can you take luggage on the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto?
Yes, luggage is permitted on the bullet train, or Shinkansen, from Tokyo to Kyoto.
- Suitcases with total dimensions under 160 cm easily fit in overhead compartments. Think standard carry-on size.
- Larger bags (160cm-250cm) require an advance seat reservation, specifically with oversized baggage area seating. It is a system, I find, that works surprisingly well, all things considered.
So, yes, allowed. Standard-size bags work, or reserve space. Pretty straightforward. The Shinkansen makes it almost, well, mundane. I wonder sometimes if all this efficiency takes some of the romance out of travel.
Additional Information
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The reservation ensures space behind the last row of seats. This helps prevent obstruction.
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Dimensions are important. The railways are strict. It’s a reflection of the sheer volume of passengers.
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Consider shipping options. Services deliver luggage door-to-door. I once sent my snowboarding gear from Nagano to Osaka. This method makes travel much easier.
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Check official JR (Japan Railways) websites for the very latest guidance. Rules evolve, after all.
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Bags larger than 250cm aren’t permitted. But seriously, what are you packing?! Like, a small car?!
How much does it cost to take luggage on a train?
Luggage fees: Minimum ₹30. No passenger train brake van restrictions on luggage quantity or type.
Key Points:
- Minimum Fee: ₹30
- Brake Van: Unrestricted luggage.
Further Details (2024):
- Specific charges vary by train type and distance. Check Indian Railways website for precise costs. My last trip, Chennai to Bangalore, cost more, closer to ₹50 for an oversized bag.
- Beyond the brake van: Excess luggage rules apply to other carriages; expect penalties. I once got nailed for a bicycle. Costly. Learn the rules.
- Booking essential for larger items. My experience proves this. Don’t risk it.
- Confirm luggage policies with your specific train. Rules change. Always double-check.
- Beware of unofficial baggage handlers. Stick to official services. Trust me on this.
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